Lesson 42 [Intermediate] Float Play

Float play is a technique that utilizes position to identify an opponent's weaknesses.

Basic Strategy

When in position, you call an opponent's flop bet, and if they check on the turn, you bet to take the pot.

Basic Premises

• 100BB stack
• Single raised pot (not a 3-bet pot)
• In position (BTN or CO)
• Opponent is a typical player (not too tight or too loose)

Basic Line

1. Preflop, call an opponent's raise from in position
2. On the flop, opponent makes a continuation bet → call
3. On the turn, opponent checks → bet (1/2 to 2/3 pot)

Why This Is Standard

• If an opponent checks on the turn, they likely have a weak hand. Flop bets are often automatic, but a second bet on the turn requires a truly strong hand.
• Being in position allows you to decide after seeing your opponent's action. You leverage your information advantage.
• Position itself is a pressure tool. Opponents know it's difficult to play out of position all the way to the river, so they are likely to fold on the turn.

Situational Adjustments

1. Floating on Dry Boards

Increase your floating frequency on dry boards (like K♠ 7♣ 2♦). Your opponent is likely to have made a flop bet with air or a weak pair, and if they check on the turn, it's probably a sign of giving up.

2. Floating on Wet Boards

On wet boards (like J♥ T♥ 8♠), reduce your floating and only call with hands that have actual equity (draws, pairs). Even if your opponent checks on the turn, they might be trapping with a strong hand, so bet cautiously.

3. Opponent is a Tough Player

If your opponent frequently uses check-raises or knows how to check-call the turn and check-raise the river, reduce your floating frequency. Instead, build your calling range around value hands and strong draws.

4. When Opponent Makes a Second Bet on the Turn

If your opponent bets again on the turn, your float plan has failed. Fold weak hands, and if you have a draw or a pair, calculate your equity and pot odds to decide whether to call.

Considerations

When calling an opponent's bet on the flop, try to think in this order:

1. What is my position? In position or out of position? (Floating is an in-position-only play)
2. What is the board texture? Dry or wet? What cards could come on the turn?
3. What equity does my hand have? Is it pure air, does it have a backdoor draw, or a weak pair?
4. What is the probability that my opponent will check on the turn? Estimate considering opponent type, bet size, and board.
5. What is the probability my opponent will fold if I bet on the turn? Estimate how much of their range cannot double barrel the turn.

Example Hand Analysis

Example 1: Standard Float

Game: Cash game 1/2, stack 200BB
Position: BTN
Preflop: UTG raises $6, Hero calls A♠ 5♠ on the BTN
Flop: K♥ 9♣ 2♦ (pot $15), UTG bets $10, Hero calls
Turn: 6♠ (pot $35), UTG checks

Thought Process:

1. “Who is structurally favored on this board?”
   → Dry board, and UTG checked on the turn after a flop bet. Likely has a weak pair (99, 77, air like A9, QJ)
2. “What role does my hand play within my range?”
   → A♠ 5♠ is ace-high air, but a backdoor flush draw completed. Can be used as a pure bluff.
3. “Does my opponent have enough hands to fold / do they call a lot?”
   → Since the opponent checked on the turn, they likely have many air hands and weak pairs like QJ, JT, 77, 55. A bet will likely result in a fold.

Conclusion: Bet $20 (approx. 1/2 pot)

Comment: If you check back on the turn instead of betting, you might lose the initiative on the river. Your opponent could bet again on the river, making it difficult to bluff catch. It's advantageous to apply pressure first on the turn.

Example 2: Wet Board Float (Cautious)

Game: Cash game 1/2, stack 200BB
Position: CO
Preflop: MP raises $6, Hero calls 9♦ 8♦ on the CO
Flop: Q♠ J♥ 7♣ (pot $15), MP bets $10, Hero calls
Turn: 3♠ (pot $35), MP checks

Thought Process:

1. “Who is structurally favored on this board?”
   → Wet board (straight possible). MP checked on the turn, but could be trapping with strong hands like QJ, KT, AK.
2. “What role does my hand play within my range?”
   → 9♦ 8♦ is an open-ended straight draw (8 outs). It has actual equity.
3. “Does my opponent have enough hands to fold / do they call a lot?”
   → Since it's a wet board, the opponent might have checked with a weak pair or air, but there's also a chance they're trapping with a strong hand. A bet carries the risk of a check-raise.

Conclusion: Check back (take a free card and decide on the river)

Comment: On wet boards, it's safer to utilize actual equity rather than pure bluff floats. By checking back, you get a free card, and if a straight completes on the river, you can make a value bet. If it doesn't complete, you can decide whether to bluff based on your opponent's river action.

Example 3: Float Failure (Opponent Bets Turn)

Game: Cash game 1/2, stack 200BB
Position: BTN
Preflop: MP raises $6, Hero calls T♠ 9♠ on the BTN
Flop: A♣ 8♦ 4♥ (pot $15), MP bets $10, Hero calls
Turn: 2♠ (pot $35), MP bets $25 (2/3 pot)

Thought Process:

1. “Who is structurally favored on this board?”
   → Opponent makes a second bet on the turn. Consecutive flop+turn bets likely indicate a strong hand (Ax or better).
2. “What role does my hand play within my range?”
   → T♠ 9♠ is pure air (no backdoor flush draw completed either). Has very little equity.
3. “Does my opponent have enough hands to fold / do they call a lot?”
   → Since the opponent made a second bet, weak hands have likely already checked. Fold frequency is low.

Conclusion: Fold

Comment: The float plan requires the condition "if the opponent checks on the turn." If the opponent makes a second bet, the plan has failed, so it's best to immediately fold air hands. Forcing a turn raise bluff is dangerous.

Key Patterns Summary

Pattern 1: In position + opponent's flop bet + dry board → Increase float frequency

Pattern 2: In position + opponent's flop bet + wet board → Float only with hands that have equity

Pattern 3: Opponent checks on turn → Bet 1/2 to 2/3 pot to take the pot

Pattern 4: Opponent makes a second bet on turn → Abandon float plan, fold air

Pattern 5: Opponent is a tough player → Reduce float frequency, focus on value hands

Pattern 6: Backdoor draws, weak pairs → Good candidates for float calling range

Quiz

Question 1

You are on the BTN with 7♠ 6♠ and called a raise from MP. The flop is K♦ 9♠ 3♣, and your opponent bet 1/2 pot. Is this a suitable situation for float play?

• A) Yes, it's a dry board and you're in position, so call with a turn bet plan.
• B) No, too little equity, so fold.
• C) Raise bluff.
• D) Call, but with a check-back plan on the turn.

Question 2

You are on the CO with Q♥ J♥ and called a raise from UTG. The flop is A♠ T♦ 5♣, and your opponent bet 2/3 pot. The turn is 7♠ and your opponent checked. What is the correct action?

• A) Check back (since it's a weak hand).
• B) Bet 1/2 pot (execute float plan).
• C) Bet full pot (large bluff).
• D) Fold.

Question 3

What board type is float play most effective on?

• A) Wet board (J♥ T♥ 8♠)
• B) Dry board (K♦ 7♣ 2♠)
• C) Paired board (9♠ 9♦ 4♣)
• D) Monotone board (Q♠ 8♠ 3♠)

Question 4

You called on the flop intending to float, but your opponent bet again on the turn. You have a pure air hand. What is the correct action?

• A) Fold (plan failed).
• B) Call (maintain bluff plan until the river).
• C) Raise bluff.
• D) All-in bluff.

Question 5

What is the most suitable turn bet size for float play?

• A) 1/4 pot (small size)
• B) 1/2 to 2/3 pot (medium size)
• C) Full pot (large size)
• D) Overbet (larger than pot size)

Answers and Explanations

Question 1

Answer: A) Yes, it's a dry board and you're in position, so call with a turn bet plan.

Explanation: 7♠ 6♠ has a backdoor flush draw and a backdoor straight draw. On a dry board, the opponent is likely to check on the turn. A float call with a turn bet plan is reasonable. Since it's not pure air, equity realization is also possible.

Question 2

Answer: B) Bet 1/2 pot (execute float plan).

Explanation: Q♥ J♥ has an open-ended straight draw, so it's a hand with equity. Since the opponent checked on the turn, it's good to execute the float plan and bet. A 1/2 pot size can apply enough pressure, and even if the opponent calls, there's a chance a straight will complete on the river.

Question 3

Answer: B) Dry board (K♦ 7♣ 2♠)

Explanation: On dry boards, opponents often make automatic continuation bets on the flop and then give up on the turn. On wet boards, there's a higher chance the opponent is trapping with a strong hand, making floating risky.

Question 4

Answer: A) Fold (plan failed).

Explanation: Float play requires the condition "if the opponent checks on the turn." If the opponent makes a second bet, they likely have a strong hand, so it's best to immediately fold air hands. Forcing a raise bluff is dangerous.

Question 5

Answer: B) 1/2 to 2/3 pot (medium size)

Explanation: A turn float bet size between 1/2 pot and 2/3 pot is suitable. If it's too small, the opponent is likely to call with weak pairs. If it's too large, you risk unnecessarily many chips. A medium size is efficient.