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Author : Kevin Muldoon
Article Written : 17th July 2006
In this article we will be looking at some example flops to give poker beginners a better understanding of what happens at the flop, turn and river. The community cards, ie. the 5 cards which every player shares, is sometimes known as the 'board'.
Players who have a very basic understanding of texas holdem poker are advised to check the hand rankings page so that they know what hand beats what.
Example 1
To make things simpler in this examples we will assume that there were no raises pre flop and all players saw the flop cheaply...therefore it is difficult for any of the players to guess what kind of hand the other players have. We will also assume that this is a no limit game and the blinds are at 5 and 10 (ie small blind is 5, big blind is 10).
Pre Flop :
The Flop :
  
David has flopped a flush and is first to act. He decides to put in a raise of 2 times the big blind (ie 20 chips). Although Thomas has two overcards, with 3 hearts on the board he doesn't want to get involved and makes the right decision to fold. The flop has been a mixed fortune for Emily. She has made a set with her pocket sixes however she is concerned about the hearts. She decides to just call.
The Turn :
4'th Street brings a 7 of clubs. Both players quickly realise that it couldn't have helped each other. David decides to check. Emily also checks.
The River :
David acts first. With the pot sitting at 70 he decides to bet 50. Emily reraises another 100 chips. David calls and Emily takes down the pot with her full house of 66622 beating Davids flush.
Criticisms of their play
Both players played this hand very badly. Here are some points to consider :-
Flop - Checking is definately an option for David with his flopped flush though he has to realise that he is taking a big risk by doing so. With 3 hearts on the board, another heart on the turn or the river will give a flush to any player with a heart and there is a chance one of the other players would have a better heart than a 10. David needs to put in a bigger raise here.
- With 3 hearts on the board Emily definately does not want another heart to come on the turn or the river. Whilst we all know David has already flopped his flush, Emily doesn't. In Emily's situation you will be against a made flush from time to time but quite a lot of the time you will be against top pair or second pair....or someone with a high heart who is hoping to see another card cheaply. She has to put in a decent reraise here.
Turn
Both players were very silly to check and give out a free card. Not to mention losing a round of betting to build the pot
River
Nothing really wrong with the play at the river.
Example 2
In this example we will just show you the flop, turn and river. Go through each of the players hands and think about what you would call, what you would raise and if you would have folded to a large raise.
Pre Flop :
The Flop :
  
The Turn :
The River :
Things to think about
Whilst flopping bottom two pair is certainly a good hand, this example shows you why it can be dangerous to slowplay them. When the 10 comes on the river to pair the board David's hand is demolished. His best 5 cards would then be 6 6 10 10 A whilst Thomas would have won the hand with A A 10 10 6.
When the board pairs at the turn or the river you have to be concious of the fact that your hand has dropped considerably in value.
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