Limit Texas Holdem : Playing the Flop
The flop is a defining moment in Texas Hold'em as five out of
seven possible cards are seen. It is crucial that you are able to
determine the relative strength of your hand before you play
further. A lot of players consider the turn to be a more important
betting round since the bets are doubled, but it is often the
mistakes you make on the flop that create further mistakes on the
turn and river. For example, when you decide to draw for the low end
of a straight and end up losing to a higher straight when you hit.
The main flops
I order to simplify things there are a few types of flops that
you should learn how to play. Look out for these flops and try to
learn how to play each one. They all propose different threats and
opportunities.
- Three of a kind
- High pair
- Low pair
- Two-suited
- Three-suited
- Two-connected
- Three-connected
- All high cards
- Rainbow with one high card
- Rainbow of all rags
What you need to consider when deciding
whether to check, bet, call or raise
- How strong of a hand did you flop?
- Number of players (hard to bluff in a 4 handed pot)?
- Did anyone raise before the flop and, if so, who and from what
position (expect a follow through)?
- What pot odds do you have (the size of the pot vs. how many
outs you have)?
- What kinds of draws (if any) are on the board?
- What kind of hands are the other players likely to have?
- What position do you have (the later the better)?
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