Poker Betting - All-in On the Flop

Players who play all-in on the flop can be making a risky move, however, they may find that the risk will pay off.

The Flop

The flop is found in Hold'em games, such as Texas Hold'em and Omaha Hold'em. These poker games fall into the category of community poker games. Community cards are cards that are dealt face-up for all the players in the game to use in their hands as they see fit. The cards are dealt face-up and in the center of the table so that all players can easily see them. Often, they are dealt face-down, and then all three cards are turned up at the same time so that no player can see the reactions of the other players for any individual cards.

The first round of betting takes place before the flop, and the second round of betting on the hand is begun by the flop. The term 'the flop' can refer to the actual dealing of the first three face-up cards on the table, or it can refer to the actual three cards that have been dealt. The flop is followed by the turn or 4th street card, and then by the river or 5th street card. Players will have already received two cards before the flop is dealt.

Playing the Flop

Once the player has seen the flop cards, they have now seen more than seventy percent of their poker hand. Players should only play the flop if they already held a pair before the flop, or if their hand improves by the flop, for example they now hold a pair, or higher. If the flop takes the player close to drawing a flush or a straight, which could be drawn as the turn or river cards.

All-In On the Flop

Players who find that the flop gives them an excellent hand may decide to play all-in on the flop. This can be a risky play, but sometimes, other players will fold when a player plays all-in because they assume they cannot beat their opponent's hand.

Winning Tips for Playing on the Flop

If the flop does not define your hand, and simply looks like three cards that are totally unrelated to your hand, the best thing you can do is fold, and not play the flop.

Do not feel you need to play every hand. You can use caution, and can be quite selective about hands that you play whether they are before or after the flop. However, once you decide to play a hand, you should play to win in an aggressive manner.