Raising To Eliminate Poker Players Part2
On the Flop
There are two types of flops that you should routinely raise with when you hold AK:
1. When you flop another ace or king.
2. When you flop 10JQ, to make an ace-high straight.
Let's look at some specific examples:
You hold A4K>. The flop is A49V5*.
If there's a bet ahead of you, you should raise to eliminate players who might draw out on you. Anyone holding four cards to a straight or a pocket pair is an underdog to your hand, and you don't want him to draw cheaply or for free.
You hold A*K4. The flop is K*JV8V.
You just flopped top pair with top kicker. You'll normally have the best hand at this point, and you'll win it most of the time. You have to protect this hand, though. You do that by raising. Always raise when you flop top pair with top kicker. Just calling lets the other players in to try to beat you for the minimum bet.
You hold A4K>. The flop is Q*JV10t.
You just flopped the nut straight. This type of flop poses a great danger for your hand because it's all high cards. Look at all of these hands that could possibly be out against you: QQ, JJ, 1010, QJ, QlO, and JIO. These are all very reasonable hands that your opponents could be playing.
In addition, anyone whose hole cards are suited could see the flop, trying to pick up a four-flush to beat you on the river. Anyone holding an ace or a king could eventually hit his gutshot draw and cause you to split the pot. You have to raise to give all of these hands the worst possible odds to draw out on you.
You hold A4K4. The flop is A*K*8*.
You have top two pair, but anyone holding a QJ, Ql 0, or J10 has a gutshot straight draw, and anyone with two clubs has a flush draw. Raise and make them pay to beat you.
Online Poker Guide Poker Tips
Tags: casino poker, kicker, odds, poker, pot