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The Flop

Texas Hold’em strategy – flop play

The flop is a very important part of Texas Hold’em. You may win or lose a lot of poker chips depending on the decisions you make at this stage of the hand. This is some advice on how you should treat some common flop situations.

Flopping straight and flush draws

This type of hand does best in multi-way pots (a pot wit several players in it). Normally, you need at least two more players in the hand; otherwise these drawing hands are not profitable in the long run (it’s a matter of pot odds). Another important thing is to be drawing to the nuts (the best possible straight or flush).

Flopping three of a kind

This type of hand is extra strong there are no straight or flush draw possibilities on the board. In these cases you might slow play your hand in order to maximize your winnings. This strategy will pay off greatly at most poker tables,. However, if there are some obvious draws on the board the best tactic is to protect your hand by betting/raising/re-raisng

Flopping two pair

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It’s good to flop two pair, but you’re still vulnerable, so the best idea is to make a bet. Slowplaying can be very risky with this type of hand. If another player bets before it’s your turn to act you should re-raise. In these situations you have to watch out for strong drawing hands. Two pair is a tough hand to fold, but if you’re certain that someone has you beat you have to let it go. If you’re not sure where you stand you can slow down and just call all the way to the end of the hand.

Flopping top pair

If you flop top pair with a strong kicker you have a really good position. However, you should make sure to bet in these cases, since you want to force the players who missed to flop out of the hand. As mentioned, top pair is a strong hand, but it’s normally not strong enough to slow play. If you allow players to stay in the hand cheaply you run the risk of being out drawn; by a two pair, a set, a straight, or a flush. If you bet with your top pair and there is a lot of raising, you have to be very careful. If you think someone has a stronger hand you should obviously fold.

Missing the flop

When you miss the flop it’s generally wise fold if another player bets. The exception is of course if you are holding an over pair. For example, if you’re holding a pair of Jacks, and the highest card on the board is a 9, you should call, or even re-raise if someone bets.