How am I supposed to play flush draws!? |
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Posted Sat Feb 14, 2004 5:56 pm GMT by Sh1rp
This is a question I have been plagued with for a long time. I have no clue how to play flush draws when that is all I have to my hand. One strategy I've been using extensively is something I only do when I am on the short stack in a no limit tournament.
If I'm low on chips and the flop gives me a pair (any pair) and a flush draw, I usually go all in. Not a bad play statistically speaking, but I usually don't hit the flush and someone with a higher pair calls me and takes me out.
Now, my real question is how do you play a flush draw when you DO have a significant amount of chips. I mean, I never know how much to stay in for, when I should bet, when I should muck it. Any advice you can give me would be appreciated.
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Posted Sat Feb 14, 2004 7:50 pm GMT by alphakenny1
for me it depends on the number of people that are in the pot and of course the type of opponents you play. if you know your opponents well then u use that info and make a decision. for example if you know a couple of opponents in the flop are "weak tight" meaning they will fold unless they have a hand, then it is usually correct to raise. if they call then they probably have something but you do have outs. if they raise its better that you fold. against an agressive player maybe u check it to the agressive player and either you fold or raise. i dont think a call would do any good here unless he bets the minimum. use ur position to your advantage as well. if there are like 6 people in the pot and you are in early position i would usually lead out and try to win the pot right there. if im called then im probably beat at that point but i do have outs. you should go buy sklansky['s hold em for advanced players. it has a great section on this very subject (the semi bluff). its a good book.
Posted Sun Feb 15, 2004 4:26 am GMT by boden11
If I'm one to a K or A high flush I'll be aggressive in any position. With middle pair and 2 to a flush I'll still probably bet out. But if the turn doesn't improve my hand I'm usually gone. But with one to the flush and with the flush on the turn a nice deceptive check and call could be nice, trying to throw off some false weakness. If he bets into you, take some time calling and check the river (only really worrying about the boat) hoping he bets and you can c/r him.
Posted Sun Oct 03, 2004 7:20 pm GMT by vegasholdem
there are so many ways to play a flush draw....the key is to vary your play...and you'll be okay... 
Posted Thu Oct 07, 2004 6:24 pm GMT by Jauron
I play them so many ways, sometimes I call, sometimes I bet them out, sometimes I check raise, sometimes I reraise with them. Sometimes I fold them.
Flush draws are the easiest draws to put somebody on however, if you don't mix it up, your not going to make money on them if they hit.
Posted Mon Jan 10, 2005 2:41 am GMT by suitedaces84
From early position try this one every now and then: bet it until it hits, then check. More often then not this will draw a bluff out of your oppoent, especially heads up.
Posted Mon Jan 17, 2005 6:07 pm GMT by QuietOne
Like many of said here, there is no one answer. Hold'em can not be played by one set of rules since every game is different and can change as the game goes on. Who's playing, how are they playing, what position am I in?
Those are just a few basic questions that could influence the way you play any hand.
We all know that chasing straights or flushes can kill you if you don't play it right. Seems like every game I play someone is yelling at himself to stop chasing.
But there are ways. One way is to give yourself more than one way to win. For instance, if you are in a early position, call a large raise. Now you have the possibility of having everyone fold and if that doesn't work, maybe you still catch your flush.
Now if I was in a late position and someone else raised but before me, I know this is not an option. Now you have to think, is the money in the pot worth the risk of me calling, because only catching my suit will win me this pot. Maybe 5 players are in the pot making it a huge pot, so you can bet $20 to win $150. That might be worth it.
Or maybe you think the guy who made the bet is trying to steal the blinds and really has nothing? Maybe go over the top? Again it gives you two options.
Just a few thoughts.
Posted Thu Feb 10, 2005 5:08 pm GMT by Ensano
like everyone said.. it depends on how many people are still in the pot and how the other players play.. say for example you have a draw to the nut flush and first person bets (full bet, the amount of the pot) and everyone else folds... now this is a solid player and you know he only bets out with top pair.. you have the worse hand but you can easily beat anything he already hands if your 1-3 chance hits... i'd reraise all in.. first off if this is a solid player he won't want to go all in with top pair.. so there's your first chance to win it.. and if he does call you've still got a good chance to win.. cause hey, your draws have to hit once and a while.. so by reraising like that you give yourself two chances to win..
Posted Tue Mar 22, 2005 11:16 am GMT by skaughty
| Ensano wrote: | | like everyone said.. it depends on how many people are still in the pot and how the other players play.. say for example you have a draw to the nut flush and first person bets (full bet, the amount of the pot) and everyone else folds... now this is a solid player and you know he only bets out with top pair.. you have the worse hand but you can easily beat anything he already hands if your 1-3 chance hits... i'd reraise all in.. first off if this is a solid player he won't want to go all in with top pair.. so there's your first chance to win it.. and if he does call you've still got a good chance to win.. cause hey, your draws have to hit once and a while.. so by reraising like that you give yourself two chances to win.. |
In most circumstances - I like this play. This is the beauty of NL.
Let's assume a current $10 pot after villain's $5 pot-sized flop raise.
Let's assume you have a $25 stack.
Let's assume you are heads-up already.
Let's assume this is a cash (ring) game.
Villain Folds 50% of the time - you get $10 x (50% likely) = + $5.00
Villian Calls and Loses to flush - you get $35 x (17.5% likely) = +$6.13
Villain Calls and Wins - you lose $25 x (32.5% likely) = -$8.13
Add the possibilities and get 5+6.13-8.13 = $3 expected return (on $25)
Obviously there are other possible outcomes, but they are about even.
Of course the variable of likely call % and stack sizes could make this a negative expected return. In this scenario - it would take almost a 75% call liklihood to be a negative play. However, I don't think a solid player is more than 50% likely to call (it is hard to assume someone with a draw is pushing this hard).
Add to this the psychological advantage that your opponents will now know you are capable of this play, and the return is greater. It opens the door for all kinds of traps.
Scott
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