Texas Holdem Poker Flop Strategy

Poker Hand Types

This poker strategy article is the fourth and final in a four article series on playing the flop in Texas Holdem Poker. The third article focused on playing specific hand types.

I wanted to finish up our discussion of the types of hands that you can expect to see on the flop. As I mentioned in the last strategy article, the reason that we are spending so much time learning hands that you'll see on the flop and how to play them is that by reducing your mistakes on the flop you'll end up saving money on the turn and river.

The specific hands that I want to discuss for this lesson are:

Three Suited - these types of flops are pretty rare. If you flop the nuts then I recommend that you slopwplay your hand. If you don't flop the nuts then play your hand strongly. Playing your hand strongly allows you to protect your hand and you should expect good action from players who are on a draw. If you now have three of a kind you can play it if you think that no one at the table has a flush. Don't bother to play your hand if you have a low or middle pair.

Two Connected - This is a strong hand if the flop gives you an open ended straight draw. If this type of flop does not give you a draw and the two connected cards are high cards your opponents may have a good hand or draw.

Three Connected - this is very similar to three suited flops. Three connected flops are especially dangerous if they happen to also be two suited. This gives your opponents an opportunity to draw a flush and beat you if you have a straight, you could lose to a higher straight or you may end up splitting the pot. Play straights strongly.

All High Cards - Personally I only like to play this type of hand if I have top pair along with a good kicker or if I have a straight draw.

Rainbow with One High Card - these types of flops usually suck. This is the type of hand that it may be good to try a bluff. If you have top pair and a good kicker consider that a good hand. We are not worried about flushes or straight draws.

Rainbow of All Rags - This is also the type of flop that gives most players very little help. There is the possibility that the flop may have given someone three of a kind. If you have a set or two pair then you should consider that a good hand with a rainbow flop of all rags. I'd bet against one or two opponents if that is the case. Against several opponents I would check. If an opponent shows a lot of strength then I would think about folding or maybe calling to see another card.

In this four part series on playing the flop we have covered a lot of great information that will help improve your Texas Holdem play. Use it, practice it and you will improve your game. You can practice your new strategy for free or real money in any of our recommended online poker rooms.