how to play with a Draw

Hi guys, Was wondering if someone could enlighten me as to the correct way on playing; Inside straight draws, outside straight draws and flush draws.

At the moment I base my decisions on who I'm playing against, how many chips I have, how many chips my opponent has. But I know I'm not playing them correctly.

for instance. If I have A x suited (diamonds) and another 2 diamonds appear on the flop I'm pretty sure I have 1/3 of a chance of hitting a Diamond. Someone goes all in. so I make him for top pair. how should I continue?

If I play 6, 7 and the flop appears 5, 8, A and someone 3 bets then I'm assuming they have an Ace. I think my chances are about 24% (unsure of this) so how should I play that?

I usually call and see if I hit on the turn and if I don't a bigger bet comes in and I generally fold. but, then I think, "what's the point of playing 6, 7 if i'm not going to continue if I don't get a flush, straight or full house on the flop."

However. Say i have K, Q and the folp is 10, J, 2 and someone goes all in. I would call this because I'm thinking I have 2 overcards plus the draw so 14 outs. However I'm still going to hit less than 50% of the time.

I personally don't play inside straight draws because 4 outs just aint good enough for me.

Any light shed on this would be appreciated muchly.

Ok, I'll do my best. Flush draws and open ended straight draws (I assume that's what you mean when you say outside straight draw) can be very profitable, but it is imperative you have the proper pot odds and/or implied odds to call these.


No NO NO. It should be based on your odds only. If you want to be successful with them and want them to have + expected value this is imperative.


[quote=magic_woody]for instance. If I have A x suited (diamonds) and another 2 diamonds appear on the flop I'm pretty sure I have 1/3 of a chance of hitting a Diamond. Someone goes all in. so I make him for top pair. how should I continue?
QUOTE]

It sounds like your talking about a tournament in this situation. Your odds for hitting are 4-1. If you have a major chip lead and the all-in guy has 200 or 300 chips then sure, make a play for it, otherwise, back off. Chip stacks make a big difference. How much are you risking on this draw that you will hit once and miss 4 times with. Is it really worth it?


This example sounds like your talking a limit game. If you are and all check to the raiser after the flop then I have no doubt you will be getting correct pot odds to chase, of course, how many people are in the pot matters a great deal.


Again, the pot odds should dictate your decisions. Are we talking about Limit ring games? NL ring games? NL tournaments?

Sorry, I should have said NL Tournament games.

I'm not that great at working out pot odds yet, so I just make an educated guess at it.

When I said 3 bets I meant 3 times the bb.

Are you sure it's 1/4 for the flush draw? I've heard the TV commentators say it's 1/3 on different occasions.

9/47 + 9/46= APPROXIMATLEY 38% for flush draw

Heres the best way to figure your odds, its not exact but its close.
First figure out your outs. Then times that number by 2. Then by the number of cards to come. For example, the flush draw has 9 outs. Times that by 2 and that is 18. If you have to cards to come then times by to again and that is 36. You have about a 36% chance of hitting. This is not the correct statistical calculation but it will get you very close. Then determine your pot odds. On the flush draw after the flop and you have about a 1 in 3 chance of winning so the pot must be 3 times bigger than the amount you have to call to get proper odds.

If you would like more detailed advice then see Cowboys Pott Odds and Implied odds guide in the members guides section. It is very informative and could help you with these types of situations.

__________________
"I started with nothing. I still have most of it left."

"I find your lack of faith disturbing"

http://live.xbox.com/member/JediSlayer76

theprofessor@texasholdemforums.com