I was wondering what others thought of protecting flush and straight draws?

When I hit, I always bet 3/4 to a full pot size bet if there is a flush or straight draw present. Protecting my hand. I will even respresent that I am trying to protect against the draws when I have them. This works alot when playing against less than experienced players. The experienced players just re-raise you.

But why is it that there is so many players that do not protect the draws? They check when they hit and then flat call, they dont check-raise to let me know where I am at. If i were to do the same thing the draw would certainly hit. I have starting betting after the first check, and checking after the 2nd check, to see the river if I dont think that I am ahead. Hate to give the free card though!!

What do you think?

portlandford

If I hit a draw I am betting for two reasons a value bet and to protect my hand from being dominated, I try not to get in positions where I will have the second best hand though, like the dummy end of a straight or a weak flush, because this is how big pots happen when you are dominated. Some players think they should slow play when they hit draws to get paid off more on the river, I suspect thats why they check the turn, but I think two or three small bets have a better chance of being called than the big all in on the river.

Another reason I think betting is correct as per previous post is that someone will often call with the A only of the flush suit hoping to hit the four flush on the turn or river, or the person who flopped two pair may be willing to call bets to see if their full house comes. So part of this strategy has to be for you to be willing to release your hand if the board looks like you have been outdrawn, unless you are sure someone would bluff bet the scare card, or you are so far ahead chip wise a losing call won't hurt.

I like the way you are playing it, betting enough to protect a good hand on the flop. It also has the player define whether he is going to chase or not. I think you may as well consider it "keeping the pot small" after that rather than feeling you are handing out a free card.

I am more worried in a multiway pot, otherwise the times he holds the right suit aren't as bad as my mind would tell me most of the time anyway. With a few players, you know someone is going all the way anyway.

If I am out of position, I don't want to get traped. If you in position, you can still make him pay if you suspect kicker issues or a busted flush draw. If you aren't beat, you shouldn't have to call a more than a weak feeler bet most of the time.

I have been getting creamed at some times trying to protect against the open enders and flush draws, keeping it small and being ready to fold to draw seems like the only foolproof yet disgustingly passive play that can be made.

I have watched some great live torney players leading local casino leader boards fold big PP or check down only because they felt their opponent was on the draw and his chance of completing outweighed the risk/reward of that particular hand. It seems backwards thinking compared to the never give a free card, but if the chaser is gonna pay anyway might as well hope to scoop some chips than loose lots.

I write this and then I sit down hash some out some stuff with member Nerice and realize........This is exacttly how I keep losing. Anyone reading this should go to Tactical Poker and read the thread regarding Pot sized bets.

I know this a subject that frustrates us. "Getting Run over" . This explains from a very convincing point of view why it is more profitable to play small pot and if you get run over, let it go. Well worth the 5 minutes it will take to read.



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 01/11/2009 07:22PM by jontm.