7th Lesson [Beginner] Playing Draws on the Flop

Draw hands are currently weak, but are hands with the potential to develop into strong hands on the turn or river.

Basic Strategy

If you have a draw on the flop, call or fold to the opponent's bet. Beginners should avoid raising with draws.

Basic Premise: Cash game 1/2, 100BB stack, heads-up pot

Types of Draws and Number of Outs:

• Flush draw: 9 outs (9 cards of the same suit)
• Open-ended straight draw: 8 outs (straight that can be completed from either end)
• Gutshot straight draw: 4 outs (straight that can only be completed from one end)
• Combo draw (flush + straight): 12-15 outs

Conditions for Calling:

Since draws are currently weak hands, you need to have the correct pot odds to call an opponent's bet. Simply follow these rules:

• Flush draw (9 outs): Call if the opponent bets half the pot or less
• Open-ended straight draw (8 outs): Call if the opponent bets half the pot or less
• Gutshot (4 outs): Call if the opponent bets 1/4 of the pot or less (mostly fold)
• Combo draw (12+ outs): Almost always call

Why This is Standard:

• Draws can win big pots if completed on the turn or river
• If the pot odds are correct, it's profitable in the long run
• However, since they are currently weak hands, putting in too much money can lead to losses

Responding to Opponent Styles

1. When the Opponent Bets Big

If the opponent bets pot size or more, it's better to fold even flush draws or open-ended straight draws. This is because the pot odds won't be correct, making it likely to lose in the long run.

2. When the Opponent Bets Small

If the opponent bets small, 1/3 of the pot or less, you can call with almost all draws. Even gutshots can be called. Take advantage of the good price your opponent is giving you.

3. Multiway Pot (3+ Players)

In multiway pots, the probability of winning can decrease even if your draw completes. This is because with multiple opponents, it's more likely someone already has a strong hand. Play more cautiously.

4. When You Were the Preflop Raiser

If you raised preflop and got a draw on the flop, you can bet small if your opponent checks (continuation bet). If your opponent folds, you win the pot immediately, and if they call, you can continue to aim for your draw on the turn.

Thinking Process

When you get a draw on the flop, try to think in this order:

1. What kind of draw do I have? Flush? Straight? Combo?
2. How many outs do I have? 9? 8? 4? 12+?
3. How much did my opponent bet? Half the pot? Pot size? Small?
4. Are the pot odds correct? (Call if opponent's bet is small, fold if big)
5. Is it multiway or heads-up?

Example Hand Analysis

Example 1: Flush Draw Call

Game: Cash game 1/2, 200BB stack
Position: BTN
Preflop: Hero gets 8♠7♠ and raises $6, only the BB calls
Flop: K♠ 9♠ 3♥ (Pot $13)
Action: BB bets $6 (half the pot or less)

Thought Process:

1. “Who is structurally favored on this board?”
   → My hand is weak, but I have a flush draw (9 outs)
2. “What role does my hand play in my range?”
   → Currently a weak hand, but a spade completes the flush
3. “Does my opponent have enough hands to fold / do they call a lot?”
   → Opponent's bet is half the pot or less, so the pot odds are correct

Conclusion: Call $6

Comment: A flush draw has 9 outs, so you can call a bet of half the pot or less. If a spade comes on the turn or river, you can win a big pot.

Example 2: Open-ended Straight Draw Fold

Game: Cash game 1/2, 200BB stack
Position: CO
Preflop: Hero gets J♦T♦ and raises $6, BTN calls
Flop: Q♠ 9♥ 2♣ (Pot $15)
Action: Hero bets $7 (continuation bet), BTN raises to $21 (pot size or more)

Thought Process:

1. “Who is structurally favored on this board?”
   → Open-ended straight draw (K or 8 completes the straight, 8 outs)
2. “What role does my hand play in my range?”
   → Currently a weak hand (high card only)
3. “Does my opponent have enough hands to fold / do they call a lot?”
   → Opponent raised big, so the pot odds are not correct

Conclusion: Fold

Comment: Even with an open-ended straight draw, it's better to fold if your opponent bets big, as the pot odds won't be correct. Calling recklessly is likely to lead to long-term losses.

Example 3: Combo Draw Call

Game: Cash game 1/2, 200BB stack
Position: BB
Preflop: BTN raises $6, Hero calls with 9♦8♦
Flop: 7♦ 6♦ 2♠ (Pot $13)
Action: Hero checks, BTN bets $8

Thought Process:

1. “Who is structurally favored on this board?”
   → Flush draw (9 outs) + open-ended straight draw (8 outs) = Combo draw (approx. 15 outs)
2. “What role does my hand play in my range?”
   → Very strong draw, high probability of completing on the turn or river
3. “Does my opponent have enough hands to fold / do they call a lot?”
   → Combo draws can almost always call

Conclusion: Call $8

Comment: Combo draws have 12+ outs, so you can call almost any bet size. The probability of completing on the turn or river is very high, and if completed, you can win a big pot.

Key Patterns Summary

Pattern 1: Flush draw (9 outs) → Call if opponent bets half the pot or less

Pattern 2: Open-ended straight draw (8 outs) → Call if opponent bets half the pot or less

Pattern 3: Gutshot (4 outs) → Mostly fold (only call if opponent bets very small)

Pattern 4: Combo draw (12+ outs) → Almost always call

Pattern 5: Opponent bets pot size or more → Fold most draws

Pattern 6: Multiway pot → Play draws more cautiously

Quiz

Question 1
You have a flush draw on the flop. How many outs do you have?

A) 4 outs
B) 8 outs
C) 9 outs
D) 13 outs

Question 2
Flop: K♠ 9♠ 3♥, Hero Hand: A♠7♠ (Flush Draw)
Pot $20, opponent bets $10. What is the correct action?

A) Fold
B) Call
C) Raise
D) All-in

Question 3
Flop: Q♠ 9♥ 2♣, Hero Hand: J♦T♦ (Open-ended Straight Draw)
Pot $15, opponent bets $30 (2x pot). What is the correct action?

A) Fold
B) Call
C) Raise
D) All-in

Question 4
How many outs does a gutshot straight draw have?

A) 2 outs
B) 4 outs
C) 8 outs
D) 9 outs

Question 5
Flop: 7♦ 6♦ 2♠, Hero Hand: 9♦8♦ (Flush Draw + Open-ended Straight Draw)
Pot $13, opponent bets $8. What is the correct action?

A) Fold
B) Call
C) Raise
D) All-in

Answers and Explanations

Question 1
Answer: C) 9 outs

Explanation: A flush draw has 9 outs because there are 9 cards of the same suit remaining in the deck. If that suit comes on the turn or river, the flush is completed.

Question 2
Answer: B) Call

Explanation: A flush draw has 9 outs, so the pot odds are correct when the opponent bets half the pot ($10/$20 = 0.5). Calling is advantageous in the long run. Beginners are advised not to raise with draws.

Question 3
Answer: A) Fold

Explanation: An open-ended straight draw has 8 outs, but if the opponent bets 2x the pot, the pot odds are not correct. Folding is the way to minimize long-term losses.

Question 4
Answer: B) 4 outs

Explanation: A gutshot straight draw has 4 outs because the straight can only be completed from one end. Since there are few outs, it's generally better to fold in most situations.

Question 5
Answer: B) Call

Explanation: A combo draw of a flush draw (9 outs) + open-ended straight draw (8 outs) has approximately 15 outs, so you can call almost any bet size. The probability of completing on the turn or river is very high.