Understanding Flop Texture

As you improve at the game of hold'em, nuances and subtleties begin to emerge that previously were hidden. One of those is the texture of the flop. I like the word "texture" because it's so rich in possibilities. Textures in the tactile world are so varied. In the poker world, textures are also rich in layers. We are interested in becoming masters of interpreting the flop texture to deduce how it may have affected our opponents' hands and thus guide us in our further actions.

Flops Containing a Pair

Example: 10 4 4

When a pair flops, we often find a great opportunity to make a play for the pot with nothing. Of course, the big concern is whether or not someone has made trips. But stop looking at paired flops as though you missed and think about how your opponents are feeling. In the above flop, the board offers very little future. Straights and flushes can come only runner-runner. Most players will let a small pot go easily at this point, especially when fearing the trips. If I got a free look in the blind with the K 7, this is a perfect place for me to charge at the pot. Very often, I will win it right there. If not, I will assess whether or not to bet the turn depending on what I know of my callers. Usually, it's worth a bet on the turn. If I still have any callers, I'm likely in trouble and will check down the river, unless a glorious king shows up.

Suited Flops

Example: J 7 5

Flops like this are usually action killers. People tense up. It's like someone said something very weird and no one quite knows what they are supposed to do. Generally, if someone flops top pair, they want to be very aggressive and force anyone holding one of the flopped suit out. Strangely, it's not uncommon for players to call all the way with the 2 in this example and think they have a chance if they make their flush. I generally don't recommend trying anything fancy when facing a suited flop. At the middle limits, there's just too much confusion amidst the players, which generally leads to lots of bad calls. And with a hand like the 8 6, for example, you really have no business drawing for your straight.

Lots of High Cards

Example: A K J

Let's make it real interesting and play this example as though the pot was raised and we are holding the A Q. In this situation, there is the chronic fear that we're up against A-K. But this should be fairly clear on the flop. Any player holding "big slick" should be fighting hard to establish the strength of his hand. The bigger question is if someone flopped a set. And you can bet there are several flush and straight draws hiding in the reeds. This is the kind of flop where lots of people are going to want to see the river. Think about how that affects your decisions. As well, a raise on the turn is highly probable, so be careful of calling bets from early position. Unfortunately, I would find this hand frustrating, because it's hard to really charge and lead out, unless you make your gutshot straight, at which point the action will cool very quickly. Just note that isolation using raises with a flop like this will be difficult to achieve.

Garbage Flops

Example: 8 3 2

On flops like this, you will find people with two overcards who are likely to call a flop bet but muck when there's no help on the turn. As such, you will need to follow through on a bluff with pure conviction. Also, players will get suspicious of good players looking for the steal. I always bet out on these types of flops with any pair, and often raise with any pair. Raising in this situation will often achieve the isolation you seek, since players won't want to invest a whole lot with such garbage to work with.

Questions to Ask Yourself on the Flop

Does it seem likely that the flop hit many players? If so, how invested do I want to get in this pot?

Will someone bet this flop if I'm seeking the check-raise?

Is this a type of flop that affords believable bluffing opportunity?

How far are players willing to continue in this hand, given the flop texture?

Is it likely that players have very strong hands based on this flop? (For example, I hold top pair. Are there likely two-pair hands against me or weird two-gap straights?)

Notice how everything about flop texture awareness is focusing away from your own hand. By improving this skill, you are learning to play your opponent and his cards. In pots with one or two opponents, certain textures will enable you to manipulate your opposition due to fear or the fact that they have received no help.

In pots with three or more opponents, the flop texture dictates the risk element for you to continue when it is not obvious where you are in the hand. In other words, you may have a good piece of the flop, but are in serious jeopardy because of other much stronger hands that are waiting for you in the wings. By being a bit less aggressive in situations like this, you force your opponents to be clearer in defining their own hands, thus making it difficult to trap you. Therefore, you will get through these sketchy situations cheaper and appear tougher as an opponent.