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The flop is the most important stage of the game of poker. It is in this stage that a player can go from having the leading hand in the game to having the worst game in the hand. In other words, depending on how you play the game during the flop, can determine whether you win or lose. As such, it is important to have a clear strategy in mind for playing the flop.
Flop Strategy in Texas Hold'em
Know When to Fold
A big mistake that many players make is to continue to play a hand that has lost its chance of winning. Irrespective of what your starting hand is or how high your cards are, if it is likely that some-one else may have a stronger hand than you, you should fold your hand. There is no point in throwing money into a pot that you have no chance of winning.
If the flop contains a high card such as an Ace or a King and you are not holding any of these cards, you should think about folding. It is quite likely that another player in the game will be holding at least one of these cards in order to make a high pair and they will be able to use the flop in order to beat your hand.
Consider How you will Play the Turn and the River
When making a decision on how to play the flop, you should take into account how you will play the future rounds of the turn and the river. Don't make a decision based on the flop alone. If you are holding a hand that has the potential to reach a high hand and you think it is possible that you will reach this high hand on the turn and the river, you should consider running with this hand in the flop. This is particularly true in low limit games as the risk in these games is far lower. If you are confident in your bluffing abilities, you may also choose to run with a poor hand at this stage in order to deceive your opponents.
Basic Strategy if you Flop (based on Lee Jones' "Winning Low Limit Hold'em")
Overcards
Check and fold, unless you have a backdoor draw and high pot odds, in which case you can call.
Top Pair with High Kicker
Bet and raise. If you think you have the highest hand and are re-raised, you can raise again. If you don't think you have the highest hand and are raised, then call.
Top Pair with Poor Kicker
Fold if there is a lot of action. If you think everyone else will fold and you are the first or last to go, you can bet or raise.
Middle or Bottom Pair
Check and fold. If you are holding an overcard or backdoor draw with high pot odds, you can call.
Two Pair
Bet and raise. If you have a top two pair and are re-raised, you can raise again. If you are not holding a top two pair and are re-raised, then call.
Pair on the Board
Fold if there is a lot of action or your pair is lower.
Three of a Kind
Raise and re-raise, unless you are not sure if you have the best hand or not.
Inside Straight Draw
Bet or call if you are holding two overcards or multiple draws and you have favorable pot odds. Fold if the board shows three suited cards or the board is paired.
Open-ended Straight Draw
Bet or raise if you have the nut draw. Call if the board shows two suited cards or if the board is paired. Fold if the board shows three suited cards.
Flush Draw
Bet or raise if you hold an Ace-high draw. If not, then call.
Straight
Raise and re-raise. If you're holding an Ace-high straight, play slow.
Flush
Raise and re-raise. If you're holding an Ace-high flush, play slow.
Full House
Bet and raise if you don't hold the pocket pair or if your set is the lower rank. If your set is the higher rank, play slow.
Four of a Kind or Straight Flush
Bet and raise if you don't have the nuts. If you do, then play slow.
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