Online Poker Guide - Texas Holdem Strategies
Texas Holdem Strategies: Cheap Flops
Finding “value” in poker is a phrase often used by players on and off line. “Value” refers to value for money whether that means getting a free buffet ticket, a big deposit bonus or getting value for individual hands. The latter is what we are going to look at today, specifically getting value from calling with hands before the flop.
Getting value from a flop or, as it’s more commonly referred to, getting a cheap flop can be a useful way of picking up extra chips when you perhaps shouldn’t even be in the hand. Calculating the value of seeing a flop and whether or not it’s “cheap” depends on how strong your starting hand is and how much money you have to put into the pot to see the flop dealt.
Let’s take a look at an example of a cheap flop possibility:
During a six handed game of $1/$2 No Limit Hold’em on 32Red Poker you are in the big blind position with 8-9 suited (spades). The action unfolds as follows:
- The player under the gun makes a raise to $8.
- The next player makes the call.
- It is folded to the button position and that player also calls.
- The player in the small blind position folds.
- There is $8 + $8 + $8 + $1 + $2 already in the pot, totalling $27.
With your big blind of $2 already paid the cost to you to see the flop is only $6. While you may be holding a below average hand and be in a poor position on the table you are getting over 4/1 to make the call and see the flop. Many tight players will fold in that position and, indeed, you shouldn’t make the call with any two cards here, but two suited cards that are connected have plenty of drawing options and it’s very difficult for your opponents to “put you on” a hand such as that after an early raise has been made.
There are occasions when you may think your hand represents good enough value to see a flop with but, actually, the hand is poor value for money. For example:
During a 10 player $1/$2 No Limit Hold’em game you are in a mid-table position and you are holding Jack-King off suit. The action before you unfolds like this:
- The player under the gun calls ($2).
- The next player raises to $10.
- The action is folded to the player before you. He makes a raise to $20.
- There is $2 + $10 + $20 + $1 + $2 already in the pot, totalling $35.
You are faced with a call of $20 to possibly see the flop. There are still plenty of players after you that are yet to act and you are holding a pretty looking but average Jack-King. There is no value for you to call here. The odds to call are less than 2/1 and players after you could easily make another raise or move all-in before the flop, forcing you to fold and waste your original $20 call.
It’s important to keep focused on what odds you are being offered to see the flop, your table position and the two cards you are holding. The more questionable cards should only be played in late positions and only when good value is offered.
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Online Poker Guide: Cheap Flops
Seems like common sense in a game that relies heavily on chance to always see a flop, but there are times/hands that it sometimes just isn't value. There are, of course, times that a poor pocket hand is still worth taking to the flop if it'll not cost you a lot of your chip stack. Suited cards (like 2h,9h) are ideal for this as the flush is a possibility. Don't forget to judge the actions of your peers at the online poker tables beforehand! Put your knowledge of how to get and play for cheap flops at 32Red Poker. Get $320 free today. PLAY NOW.
