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Poker Articles
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5 Tips For Playing Draws in Online Poker Games |
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12 March 2007 |
Draws can be tricky to play for the beginning poker player. With concepts such as 'pot odds', 'outs' and 'redraws' all over the poker literature the correct course of action can seem confusing. A hand which requires only one more card to become a powerful flush or straight is a strong holding and should often be played positively. Here we show you 5 tips for playing drawing hands better - so that you can profit from these situations again and again.
Tip #1 - On The Flop Use The 'Rule Of 4'
If you flop 4 cards to a flush or straight and want a rough estimate of how often you will complete your hand by the river then the 'rule of 4' is an easy and reasonably close approximation. Simply multiply the number of cards which will complete your hand by 4 on the flop - you'll have a percentage winning chance to work with. For example with 9 unseen cards that will make you a flush (you have 2 in your hand and there are 2 on the board out of 13 of each suit) you have 9*4 = 36% to make it by the river. Simply halve this on the turn!
Tip #2 - Straight Draws Can Be Better Than Flush Draws
While a flush beats a straight in a poker showdown, when drawing it can pay to have the straight. The reason is that when 3 of a suit appear on the board and the betting becomes big it can be pretty obvious that there could be a made flush around. With a straight this is often less obvious - meaning you can win more bets from an opponent who does not believe you.
Tip #3 - Drawing To The Nuts
When paying off a bet to see the next card the chances of you making your hand have to be balanced with the fact that you might make your hand and still lose. For example if you make a low flush with 67 suited in your hand, there is a danger that you may end up 2nd best to an opponent with higher suited cards. Ensure you know your opponents well in these circumstances - understanding who will pay off big with a 2nd best hand can win you a lot of money over time.
Tip #4 - Depth Of The Chip Stacks
If you are going to pay to see a turn or river card you need to ensure that both you and your opponent have enough chips for more betting on the river. The key concept here is that you need to be paid off when you make your hand often enough to make up for those times when you miss. Since your opponent will sometimes fold you need to ensure that there are enough chips to be paid off over and above what would be mathematically 'correct' on the other occasions.
Tip #5 - Draws And Fold Equity
Since you will usually be a underdog to a made hand on the flop a drawing poker hand often needs a little extra help to become profitable over time. If you can get your opponents to fold then your hand becomes doubly powerful. Sometimes your positive and aggressive play will get an opponent to fold - and you will make your hand some of the time when you are called. As with all poker games, positive play is usually far better than simply calling bets and trying to make your hand.
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