After the Flop

There is one thing that both Texas Hold'em and Omaha High-Low have in common. That is the flop.

No other poker game has a flop which gives community cards to all the players. As a poker strategist, I have spent a lot of time thinking about the flop and its significance to the people in the game.

But before I discuss the flop, let's talk about what happens before the dealer flips over those three cards. Let's say someone puts in a raise and somebody else re-raises. What does that tell you about their hands?

It's pretty much of a dead giveaway that they are not playing high cards. The raiser probably has A-2 and something else that connects. The re-raiser is either holding pocket aces or A-2-3. While some poker players are tricky enough to re-raise with two big pairs, that is probably not the case.

You are facing two raises and you find yourself holding double suited A-J-Q-10. What do you do? What would I do?

I would call in a heartbeat.

When I call, I am hoping high cards fall and hopefully high cards that hit one of my suits. If you are in position to act after the raisers bet or check, you are in a powerful spot to win the pot depending on how you play your cards.

Now I realize you are not a magician and you can't see the cards these players are holding. But you do have common sense and you can make a fairly accurate guess on what you are facing.

The flop either makes or breaks your hand. What falls on fourth and fifth street is important, but it isn't nearly as important as the flop.

Read the body language of the raisers very carefully. Some players are good at disguising their hands while others are terrible. If they both check after raising and double-raising, that's a strong indication they missed the flop. You can either come out betting with a stone cold bluff or you can check and hope you improve on fourth street.

Let's say you pick up a flush draw on fourth street. Even if your flush cards are small, that is a powerful improvement for your hand. Now the raiser will probably come out betting. You can do one of two things: call or raise the hand.

A raise could win the pot right there. But even if you get a call, you have an out if your flush hits on fifth street.

Play the flop and play the players. This is poker at its premium best. By doing so, you will give yourself the best chance to win. Good luck. Let the games begin.

Author: Geno Lawrenzi Jr.

(Geno Lawrenzi Jr. is an international journalist, magazine author and ghostwriter and poker player who lives in Phoenx, AZ. He has published 2,000 articles in 50 magazines and 125 newspapers. If you want to share a gambling story or book idea with him, send an email to glawrenzi@gmail.com ).