7Star Poker

Playing The Flop

After deciding to play the hand by calling or checking preflop 3 community cards are dealt into the middle for all players to use.

The flop is by far the biggest moment in Texas hold'em after making your decision to hold'em or fold'em. After the flop you have to work out what hand you have what odds you have of getting a flush or straight draw.

Often when the flop comes down it brings with it "NUT" hands which should really of been folded. (which probably would have if the player had read through some basic strategy tutorials). like 7 3 and the flop is 773 giving a player with a trash hand a full house. The flop can do the opposite as well and destroy the likes of big slick (ace king). for your success an ability to read the flop is vital.

Three of a kind

There is a lot of confusion that follows three of a kind most people who are fairly new to poker do not know the difference between flopping trips and getting a set.

A Set

A set is where your pocket cards are two of a kind (pair) for example if you hold kk in your hand and the flop brings k a 3 you have just made a set with 3 kings. I f there is no flush draw out ( 2  or 3 of the 3 flopped cards the same suit) and you cant see an obvious straight draw (3 cards in running order) you might want to slow play this to build the pot up before you take it to a showdown. But if there is a flush or straight draw there a good size raise would be the best way to go. winning a few chips is better than losing lots.

Tripps

Tripps is very different although lots of players think they are the same. Tripps is where you only hold one of the 3 cards in your hand and the other 2 is in the community. For example you hold AK suited, and the flop brings KKQ yet again you have 3 of a kind this is very different another player could have the remaining K and make a fullhouse. Tripps are the weaker of the two hands they are ranked the same in the hands structure but a set is a lot more valuable than tripps. Anytime there is a pair on the board there is a big danger of someone getting a full house for someone to flop a fullhouse in this case KKQ the player would have to have pocket QQ giving them QQQKK beating KKK. It is a lot harder to get the pot to a good size when kk or a big pair is out on the board as these are scare cards and people wont call unless they have something decent. be careful when slow playing as you give people to form hands that will beat your 3 of a kind the best way to play is study others actions study the board work out odds and then take your go or you can get an Online Poker Tool to work out all the odds for you have a look at some here Poker Tool

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