After the flop – an opponent raised before the flop Strategy: No-Limit

What hands do you want to hit? ► What you want to hit ▫Strong made hands like two pairs or better. ▫A strong draw with eight or more outs (flush draw, OESD, combo-draw). ► Slow play or not ▫No strong draws that could beat you can exist. ▫Slow play only against a maximum of two opponents. If you have multiple opponents, play offensively. ► Questions ▫When should you slow play with a strong, made hand? ▫When do you play strong draws passively and when do you play them aggressively? ▫What do you do with average made hands, like a smaller over pair?

How do you play a strong made hand on the flop? ► You are out of position ▫You bet. ▫You check in order to raise if your opponent bets (check/raise). ▫You check and only call a bet from your opponent (check/call). ► You are in position ▫If it is checked to you, you bet. ▫If the aggressor makes a continuation bet, you should continue to raise on a draw-heavy board. ▫If no good draws are possible, it is OK to just call.

Example #1: strong made hand – three of a kind Hero (BU) $25 BB $25 UTG1 $25 Hero (BU) $25 BB $25 UTG1 $25 Preflop: UTG1 raises $1, 6 folds, Hero calls $1, 1 fold, BB calls $0.75. Flop: ($3.10) BB checks, UTG1 bets $2.5, Hero calls $2.5.

Example #2: strong made hand - flush Hero (BU)$25 UTG1 $25 MP3 $25 CO $25 Hero (BU)$25 UTG1 $25 MP3 $25 CO $25 Preflop: UTG1 raises $1, 4 folds, MP3 calls $1, CO calls $1, Hero calls $1, 2 folds. Flop: ($4.35) UTG1 bets $2.5, 2 folds, Hero raises $9.

How do you play a strong draw on the flop? ► Passive play ▫Your equity is between 25% and 45%. Aggressive play is usually unprofitable. ▫If your draw comes on the turn, you will usually get at least one bet from your opponent before they give up. ► Rule of thumb ▫In the later rounds, you have to be able to win at least two times your bet on the flop.

Example #3: strong draw- flush draw Hero (BU) $25 UTG3 $25 MP1 $25 BB $25 Hero (BU) $25 UTG3 $25 MP1 $25 BB $25 Preflop: 2 folds, UTG3 raises $0.5, MP1 calls $0.5, 3 folds, Hero calls $0.5, 1 fold, BB calls $0.25. Flop:($2.10) BB checks, UTG3 bets $1.75, 1fold, Hero calls $1.75.

Example #4: strong draw - OESD Hero (BU) $25 UTG3 $25 MP1 $25 BB $25 Hero (BU) $25 UTG3 $25 MP1 $25 BB $25 Preflop: 2 folds, UTG3 raises $0.5, MP1 calls $0.5, 3 folds, Hero calls $0.5, 1 fold, BB calls $0.25. Flop:($2.10) BB checks, UTG3 bets $4, 1fold, Hero folds.

How do you play an average made hand on the flop? ► You are in position ▫With multiple opponents, you should fold to a continuation bet. ▫Sometimes you should call a bet if your opponent raised from a late position. However, you should fold to a second barrel on the turn. ▫Optionally, you can raise a bet on the flop in order to immediately win the pot. This is particularly recommended for draw heavy flops. ► You are out of position ▫Often, it is best to act first – even against multiple opponents. ▫You can win the flop right away or you can find out where you stand for a low price.

Example #5: average made hand – over pair + OESD Hero (BU) $25 MP3 $25 Hero (BU) $25 MP3 $25 Preflop: Flop:($2.10) BB checks, UTG3 bets $1.75, 1fold, Hero calls $ folds, MP3 raises $1, Hero calls $1, 3 folds.

How do you play on the turn? ► Strong made hand ▫You play aggressively and at latest now you take over the initiative. ▫If you slowplayed the flop, you should make your action now. ► Complete draw ▫A complete draw should always be played aggressively! ► Worthless hand or a weak draw ▫If your opponent acts, you fold. ▫If you are heads-up, your opponent checked on the flop and checks again, you could try a bluff. ► Average made hand ▫If you called on the flop and the opponent checks on the turn, you should bet. ▫If you raised his bet on the flop and he called, you should play passively. ▫If you are playing OOP and the opponent did not bet on the flop, you should bet on the turn. ▫If you bet on the flop and the opponent called, you should give upon the turn.

Example #6: How to play on the turn – three of a kind Hero (SB) $25 BU $25 Hero (SB) $25 BU $25 Preflop: Flop: ($2.25) Hero checks, BU bets $1.4, Hero raises $5, BU calls $ folds, BU raises $1, Hero calls $0.90, 1 fold. Turn: ($12.25) Hero bets $8, BU calls $8.

Example #7: how to play on the turn – over pair Hero (BU) $25 CO $25 Hero (BU) $25 CO $25 Preflop: Flop: ($2.35) CO bets $1.5, Hero raises $5, CO calls $ folds, CO raises $1, Hero calls $1, 2 folds. Turn: ($12.35) CO checks, Hero checks.

How do you play on the river? ► You should continue to play strong made hands, worthless hands and non-made draws as before. ► Average made hands in position ▫If you bet on the turn and your opponent called, but then bets on the river, you should fold. ▫If your opponent bet on the flop, you called and you both checked on the turn, you can call a bet on the river as long as it is half of the pot size or less. ► Average made hands out of position ▫If you bet on the flop and on the turn, you should check on the river. If your opponent bets, you can fold without thinking about it. ▫If you both checked on the turn, you should bet a little more than half of the pot size. If your opponent raises, you are definitely behind and you should fold.

Example #8: how do you play on the river – three of a kind Hero (SB) $25 BU $25 Hero (SB) $25 BU $25 Preflop: Flop: ($2.25) Hero checks, BU bets $1.4, Hero raises $5, BU calls $ folds, BU raises $1, Hero calls $0.90, 1 fold. Turn: ($12.25) Hero bets $8, BU calls $8. If your draw comes on the river in a large pot and you are already committed to the pot, then you should bet instead of letting your opponent take the initiative! River: ($28.25) Hero bets $11…

Example #9: how do you play on the river – top pair Hero (BU) $25 CO $25 Hero (BU) $25 CO $25 Preflop: Flop: ($2.35) CO bets $1.5, Hero raises $5, CO calls $ folds, CO raises $1, Hero calls $1, 2 folds. Turn: ($12.35) CO checks, Hero checks. River: ($12.35) CO bets $8, Hero folds.

Summary ► Texas hold’em lives from aggressiveness ▫Only calling a preflop bet is rarely a good idea. ▫You win if you consistently play good cards aggressively. ► Exceptions ▫There are hands you can call a pre-flop raise with, but these hands have the ability to become a strong made hand on the flop. ► Average hands ▫Do not hold on to a weak over pair. ▫Learn to fold average hands as soon as the situation gets a little precarious.