'Flop Coming' - High Flops

There are many situations in poker when it is correct to "bet on the come" (bet on a hand that must draw favorably in order to have value). Sometimes, a draw may have enough potential value to justify a bet. For example, when playing Omaha high-low, sometimes you have so many "outs" (available cards that will make your hand) that you actually are a favorite to win half the pot or more. And sometimes percentages suggest trying a bet when you have one or more draws that might bail you out if you are called.

In a loose Omaha high-low game, it is frequently correct to bet after the flop on a draw or even on mere potential. And perhaps the most important reason to make that bet is to prevent opponents from getting a free card that might cost you half or even the whole pot. A second reason to bet after the flop on "mere potential" is that occasionally everyone folds (rare in a loose game) or you get only one caller who often folds on the next round (or, you end up beating him).

In this column, I will discuss betting high-flop situations. Suppose you are playing Omaha high-low and are in first position with a wonderful high hand, A J J 10. You call (you normally do not raise in a loose Omaha high-low game with a high-only hand) and there is six-way action. The flop comes K-9-5 rainbow (three different suits), which essentially misses you, except for the inside-straight draw. The blinds both check to you. What should you do?

In this loose game, I consider it clear to bet here, because with two high cards in the flop, it is imperative to make the low hands either fold or pay more than a backdoor low draw (runner-runner) is worth. Even though anyone holding a king has a better hand than yours at this point, and even though you might get raised, you nevertheless will win more money in the long run by betting now.

Perhaps the only exception to betting a marginal high hand at this point is if there is an extremely active player sitting to your left who you are quite sure will bet if you check. Even in that situation, it is probably right for you to bet, since your bets are more likely to get opponents to fold than his, and he might raise (and you certainly do not mind being raised by someone who often has very little).

Keep in mind that the main consideration here is that if the hand is checked around, it's a strategic disaster for you! When you play a high-only hand, letting the low hands back in by allowing them to see a free low card on the turn might end up costing you half a pot or more. You could easily lose high (especially a "back in" type of high) to a hand that would have folded to a bet after the flop.

Otherwise put, from your perspective, someone must bet – and if someone has to bet, it might as well be you! By betting, you figuratively slam down your gauntlet and proclaim to the world that you intend to contest this pot! And, most often, all of the good things that can happen by betting easily outweigh the cost of the bet. As the driver, there is always some chance that you will win now or later by default. Even if you get raised (which should certainly narrow the action even further), at least you now have more information about what you should do on the turn and the river (double-size bets).

Are there some general exceptions to the strategy of betting a high flop (two or three cards higher than 8) with almost any high hand? There are very few; the one obvious exception is when you flop a monster hand (the nuts and very unlikely to be outdrawn). With all "pulling" hands, you want more opponents in the pot (as opposed to "pushing" hands, where you want competition out).

Note that after a very strong flop (such as a high pair or a high flop with three cards of the same suit), you might check, on the theory that whoever has the big fit with the board should do the betting (although betting a strong flop is more likely to fold everyone than betting a normal or jagged flop). But also note that if someone does bet this flop, you will clearly fold (unless the bettor frequently bets with nothing). You do not want to call down and pay off a player who is unknown or who usually has cards. Thus, there is some chance that you are now folding to a player who is taking advantage of an opportunity you missed.

If you had opted to bet the strong flop (a "speculation" with your medium-high hand) and then someone raised, you would be less likely to be folding to an opportunist (especially if you have a tight image). The one unit you invest might easily win the pot if no one has a good hand, or might prevent someone from seeing a nice turn card.

So, my advice is this: After a high flop, if you have enough to seriously consider calling, you probably have enough to bet (unless you have a "pulling hand," and want opponents in). In the next issue, I will discuss low flops.