Draws

I flopped a draw, not what?

The short answer is, it depends! It really really depends on A LOT of things! It, in fact, depends on so many things I think it would be too hard to explain. But, I think giving examples and explaining is the way to go!

Scenario #1: Ah Jh, you raise on the button, big blinds calls, flop comes 2h 8h 9c, big blind checks

This is an easy one, BET! Why? Even without the flush draw you should bet, you probably have the best hand. Always remember, with 2 unpaired cards, you will get a pair on the flop 1 time out of 3. Since your opponent has 2 chances out of 3 to have nothing, doesn’t your AJ seem strong suddenly? Now about your draw, you have 35% chances of getting the best hand, let me describe 2 scenarios, assuming you need your flush to win:

- You bet half the pot on the flop, if he fold, you get twice what you invested right there, if he calls, you still win 35% of the time. If he raise, evaluate if it’s worth calling or not. If you get your flush, he will not see you coming (you bet, it can be a flush draw, it can be top pair, it can be anything) and might pay you well.

- You decide to check, hope he does not bet and hope you get lucky and hit your flush (35% chances). If you hit your flush, you call on a possible flush draw and bet when the flush card hit, good luck getting paid!

What scenario do you prefer? I prefer the first one. One thing you should remember, when heads up on the flop and acting last, if your opponent check, you should bet a flush draw!

Scenario #2: Some guy limps, you limp too on the button with 9T, small blind fold, big blind checks and the flop comes 278 rainbow (3 different suits). Everybody checks to you, what you should do? I hope you say "bet!!!" because it’s what you should do! Why? You have an open ended straight draw, 32% chances of getting a straight. By betting, you can possibly win the pot right there. If they both call you, you most probably have at least 1/3 chances of winning the pot and you put 1/3 the money, you are not losing… Plus, you have 2 overcards, a 9 or a 10 gives you top pair, that’s 6 more probable outs. Also, by betting, you tell people you have something, if you get called by AK-AQ, you might easily buy the pot on the river if both you and your opponent don’t hit. But it would be harder to steal on the river if you checked all the way.

You are starting to get it don’t you? Want some more? Sure! Scenario #3: You have 89s on the button, everyone fold to you, you make a small raise and the small blind call you. The flop comes A6T rainbow and the small blinds bet half the pot. First thing you need to understand, the small blind calls you, not the big blind, this may easily mean a big hand. Then, an Ace comes on the flop and he bets, most of the time, he will have the Ace. You have an inside straight draw, 4 outs + any lucky tripps or 2 pairs, 18%. 18% chances of winning for a bet half the pot… you have to fold!

Scenario #4: You are on the dealer button, 3 players limped, you have 78s and you limp too, small blind calls, big blind checks and the flop comes AJ2. You have a flush draw, small blind checks, big blind checks, next player bets, the two next players calls and it’s up to you. You have a flush draw, this has 35% chances of hitting. We will assume you have 25% chances of winning (somebody might be drawing for a bigger flush or have 2 pairs and might get a full), which is a good “average approximation”. There will be at least 4 players putting money into the pot and you have 25% chances of winning, good! If any of the blinds calls, even better! Now, the next thing is, if you get it on the turn, now you have the opportunity to make more money. I know I told you it’s hard to make money when calling and hitting a flush… It’s true, I’m not changing my mind, but the more people in, the better your chances are of getting some money anyway!

That’s it for now, sorry folks! But I will try to add more examples in the future, stay tuned!