The flop is the second betting round in poker, and it occurs after the pre-flop betting round. Once all players have either folded or put in all their chips, the dealer deals a trio of face-up community cards called the flop. The next betting round begins with the player to the left of the big blind (or the player in the small blind position, if no blinds are used).
This is a time when many different possibilities come into play. Having an understanding of the flop texture, which is the overall combination of cards that are dealt, and how this could impact both your own hand and your opponents’ possible hands is a key skill every good poker player should be looking to develop.
Understanding your opponent’s potential hands after the flop is also an important factor to keep in mind. For example, if someone raises before the flop, it is likely that they have a high card like AK or AQ. Therefore, you would want to fold if the flop comes 8 2 4. In contrast, if no one raises before the flop, then it is safe to bet because your opponent’s range is probably a bit weaker and they may not have a strong pair.
Another thing to consider is how strong your own draw is on the flop. A strong draw on the flop, such as a flush or straight, has a lot of equity against your opponent’s range and you can often bet with confidence knowing that you will win more than the amount you put into the pot. A weak draw on the flop, such as suited connectors or gutshots, is not as strong and you should only bet aggressively when it’s profitable to do so.
In addition to the strength of your own hand and your opponents’ potential hands, you must also consider how well connected you are to other players on the flop. If you are a “wet” player, which means that you have a connection to the other players in your table, then it is usually best to stay out of the pot unless you have an excellent hand or can see an obvious raise.
On the other hand, if you have a “dry” connection to the other players on the flop then you should bet early and often to try to get to the river. This will often lead to a showdown where you are awarded the entire pot. However, it is also possible that a tie will occur when two players have identical hands and no one else raises, which is known as a chop-pot. This is not as common in online poker as it is in live tournaments. However, it still occurs on occasion. For more information on poker, please visit our other articles on betting, ranges and 3betting. Thanks! We hope you’ve found this article useful. If so, feel free to share it with your friends! And remember to check back regularly for more poker articles.
