How to Play a Flush Draw in No Limit Holdem 

I am usually the other guy in this hand...I play well and I am getting busted by a mediocre player and I end up hating poker,until next day! (:

Alec just want to say you seem like a class act, and a great ambassador of poker. I(as well as others) appreciate not only your insight and analysis, but also the other things like how you carry yourself, and how to be a good person outside the tables. Keep up the great work friend I've never met.

Yeah your opponent 3 bets you on the flop and you think you have fold equity? lol

The name of this video should be how NOT to play a flush draw 😆

That hand reminds me of a kid banging pan lids together because he thinks the noise is fun.

There is no justice in poker.

Agreed. Although if u wanna extract max potential proffit this technique of agression with a draw is the route to take if u wanna or can gamble. Just know statistically, u should loose more often than not in that spot. Nice review. Cheers

Funny thing is that the hero probably made a lot more money be making all the mistakes that he or she did. All the money probably wouldn't have been in by the river otherwise. Ha, great short term bonus. But long term, obviously not so much.

The teaching here is good and highly applicable for LIVE play, but in my experience with online poker playing, at least 75% of the time, if you're not all in after the flop with KK or AA, the online computer program is setup so your opponent will draw a flush or straight on the turn or river. This is especially true with Merge Gaming / Carbon and America's Cardroom. In other words, be extremely careful to slow roll after the flop, if you started with AA or KK. And in other words, in order to be successful with online play in MTTs, you have to adjust your game. What I'm stating here is not true for cash games online.

Great vid, but I found the slow zoom in to your face from 2:15 mildly terrifying.

I learn a lot from Alec! It is so nice to have him as a couch for free :) I am thinking about buying his course

I think the re raise on the flop folds out a lot of hands like AK, AQ, AJ, KQ suited. correct me if I am wrong.

Would you please explain at 5:31 why it's better to flat call rather than shove? If you miss the flush on the turn (80% likely), you're not going to want to fold, since you're already pot committed, so you'll end up putting your money in on the turn anyway. If you hit your flush on the turn (20% likely), your opponent might fold and you won't get paid off. So it seems like you're risking your stack regardless, except that when you hit the flush on the turn, you don't fully get paid off... so surely shoving on the flop is better, right? Either way you're committing your stack, but if you shove on the flop, at least you can guarantee that you'll get fully paid off if a diamond hits on the turn...

Typical amateur mistake, thanks for sharing

cool tips about zoom too - thanks

shit, my brain isn't strong enough to focus on what you are saying with all that shitty music playing at the same time.

Hey dude....like your videos. It would be cool if you explain why the hand against Tilly (A high flush draw against her trip eights) was played contrary to the recommendation in this video.

The point is. the player with kings wins more in the long run, in this situation, i think he's a 4 to 1 or 3 to 1 favorite. I personally love guys who chase big flush and straight draws. They are so easy to spot, yeah sometimes you lose a lot, but you still show way more profit overall.

i saw you push the flop on tilly with flush draw in same kinda situation in a tourney.. whats the difference im trying to convert to tournaments.. maybe a video on how to change up play feom cash to tourneys?

in position surely kj suited is a great hand to flat. lots of good flops. if it comes king high and someone tight triple barrels you easy fold

Wel.... in this given hand, had he called the flop.. then the 3rd diamond shows up, it will be way tougher getting the villain to go all in, so it worked out perfectly for hero.

Mr Torelli, I want to ask you whether or not, you are utilizing special softwares while playing online poker like - Holdem Manager, which helps to maximize your winnings, and another question is do you pay taxes in America when you cashout from your online accout and what is the amount of that tax on winnings? With Respect! Your Russian fan.

Great analysis!

The weird conundrum I always end up in - particularly if I'm from the perspective of the big blind holding KK on this flop - I don't think my opponent should ever have anything besides AK or AQ of diamonds, and sets. The bet sizing kind of implies otherwise, because it's such a small raise relative putting another 230 into 430 (approx.), so that's a bit of a sizing tell. But it seems like a fairly obvious spot to simply call with AA, QQ, JJ, TT, or broadway diamond hands.

I'm curious to know what the thought process that inspired the poster to submit this hand? Don't get me wrong, it's great to see mistakes by amateur-level players (presumably) and see it analyzed by someone who knows what they're doing. But I want to know if the OP submitted the hand because he thought he played it well? Or if he knew he just got really lucky and wanted to see what Alec thought?

Alec torelli sounds like the perfect Pick Up Artist name

really enjoying listening to your thought process, excellent videos

Watched this again basically he did everything wrong and won, ha poker.

When should you call when you have a flush draw (or str8 draw for that matter)? Where I play the pot is usually raised 50 % of the pot, giving me bad pot odds. Should I count in other factors? For example the odds of pairing one of my cards, maybe giving me a winning pair?

Good analysis again :) Always take in concern the preflop action and strength in every decision. And keep concealing your hand, this shouts ''i have a flushdraw''. Keep up the great vids Alex

everytime I just call my opponent seems to improve his hand and I end up seeing that I should have pushed him off with an early raise.

Alec what would you have done when opponent shoves on turn? fold 600$ when the pot is over 1500$

Says don't reraise on the flop when you have a flush draw. Reraises all in on the flop to Tilly with a flush draw (and loses). You should take your own advice!

Guys what do you think? I’m playing 1/3 and I’m short stacked on the button (85 dollars left). I have A4 clubs. The small blind raises to 15. Big blind calls, everyone else folds, I limp for 15 since this is probably one of the last chances I’ll have to make a move. The flop comes up 67 club and 2 diamonds. Small blind bets 40, big blind rips all in for 160. I hero call hoping to get a flush/ straight/ straight flush etc. small blind has us both covered and calls. Turn is 8 Diamond, River is rag off suit. SB flips over pocket jacks red. BB flips over pocket 10s red. I think I made the right decision due to my outs being so many and the potential to triple up being so short stacked. Outs were any ace, any club, any five, runner runner 4s.

AK can have KJ dominated, but you're better off with 8-9 suited because it's less likely to be dominated? Let's see 10-8 J-8 Q-8 K-8 A-8 10-9 J-9 Q-9 K-9 A-9 8-8 99 10-10 J-J Q-Q K-K and A-A all dominate 8-9 suited..... that is 17 hands. Granted he probably isn't 3 betting some of those hands, but the possibility of being dominated is still far greater. KJ is dominated by K-Q A-J A-K J-J Q-Q K-K and A-A...that's 7 hands. I do agree that calling is the proper play, but currently on Jokerstars zoom, I'm just calling, and I'm on a run of 44 NUT flush draws, that all 44 have missed, good luck anyone ever topping that. And to make it just a little worse, these 2 hands aren't counted in those 44, I've actually flopped the Ace high nut flush twice, and had my opponent bet into me both times, on the flop, and the turn, which both times I've shoved the turn, hoping he has a smaller flush, but instead one was a set, and the other 2 pair, and you guessed it, I lost both hands to the river suckout getting in at 4 to 1 and 9 to 1 respectively.

nice video!

Alec, you are super hot but other than that I don’t understand how you have so many subs when guys like Navonod and Regi time don’t own RU-vid I think your stuff is ok but it’s not amazing. I just wonder how you do it. Is it just your cuteness and live play/TV exposure?You should join forces w one of the geniuses like Weazel/Carroters/Navonod/RegiTime/the genuine article so more people can get the best content and you can get some help w advanced concepts

I played a flush draw just like this guy the past 5x in a row....on a 300NL game. I missed every flush and lost maybe $2,000 total in all these flush draws. It's defintely the wrong way too play it, but you got lucky.

Please forgive me, but how can you justify flat calling the flop? I'm pretty noob with pot odds and stuff, but you got 18ish% to hit flush on turn right? (implied odds maybe, but assuming most at this stake wont pay so easy/obvious draws) sorry i know this is really basic stuff, but if someone could explain a bit would really appreciate it

Your rationale for playing this hand has NO basis in poker MATH! You're just giving your opinion -- which like assholes everyone has one. You didn't mention pot equity one time.

even calling the turn is mathematicly wrong,,,440 to winning 1335,,,,it,s only 3 to 1 ...hitting the flush on the turn is ca,18%....so you had to have 5.5 to,,,,1,,,,

I don't usually dislike videos, but this one I dislike, because it's an assumed perspective. This is a classic texas hold'em race and what I mean by that is you wouldn't do this in omaha or in most community card games. If neria flats here on the flop does johndoe check or bet or call on the turn or river when a 3rd and 4th diamond has hit the board? This is a trap play/ tough spot to be in for both players, but I get your point of not having to put yourself in this position but this a great risk reward play that panned out, classic texas hold'em race. Pairs and over-pairs to the board can be hard to come by, bad decision by johndoe with plenty of blinds left in a tournament, better play to go all in pre-flop with kk when blind limits are high in a tournament and horrible play in a cash game. I won't say pairs, suited or connected cards won't rope me in but most of the time it's best to limp in and not show strength, you can't assume you've won the hand already when you've been dealt top tier cards. In my opinion it's best to limp in or flat call and play poker, I won't give you my post-flop strategy, because I'm not going to win with it every time and I'm not going to lose with it every time. If a nit or a calling station is leading out a bet when you have kk's it's a clear indication that you should walk a straight line in later streets, if you decide to call. If an aggressive player is leading out in this position is when calling or raising is a tough decision for me, I would say watching these opponents from previous hands is how you base your judgement in this position. As well most people don't really highlight it but paying attention to how the cards have been coming out is something that can help you weigh out your decision making. Is the luck box in the hand? Are the same cards hitting the board consistently? Sometimes no matter how good you play it's just not in the cards for you to win on this specific session. Don't beat yourself up, this is a game of luck!

I keep losing with nut flush draws. I’ll limp in and try to check the flop but always call a bet on turn if I have the draw. I’ve lost over and over again for past few months chasing these. I’m at 2-5 nl and I’m getting close to just folding flush draws preflop if there is a raise. Need some advice.

The player is correct for pushing a 4 bet all in. After the 3 bet call he would have been left with 6 and some change. Its always better to put the other guy to the test if the plan was to call an all in on the turn anyways. If he would have only called the 3 bet then his hand would be face up. With the 4 bet he could have a set. makes the call with KK a bit tougher, and may induce a fold from a lesser hand like 10's or JJ's. And there is fold equity, lot's, many people will make the same play with an under pair to the board.

i wanted to ask, when should I slow play? I always get bitten in the ass by slow playing big pairs. Is there any point in doing so?

I think if he flats he's in worse shape cause if he hits the flush he won't get paid. I know playing online that so many people chase flushes that's all they do when they flat. So if you wanna gamble, shove. If you wanna play smart, minimize losses and gains, flat. Diamond comes he will be out for sure

music is horrible

imo he made the best out of the deep shit he was already into. By his previous action on the flop he was basically screaming loud and clear he has a flush draw and if he just called the 3bet on the flop and hit the third diamond on the turn he'd probably not be able to have all the money and to this point it was already to late to back off anyway. That was not an enormous bad beat

He did not play that well at all. Lucky on that last card, otherwise... walking home.. and hungry...

But might he fold a big ace with no diamonds, for example? What good is calling and leaving yourself with only around 1/4 of the pot?

Hi great vid , music too loud for me lol

For everyone looking at the inmediate outcome, obviously this is a loosing play for hero. what alec is pointing is that if he/she continues with that lineup of shoving flush draws against range of overpair or sets, it would lead anyone to loose money in the long term.

This is why limit poker is so much better. A bad player cannot bust you in one hand. They need to get lucky repeatedly and run extremely golden to take all of your chips.

Bro, it was literally nothing the opponent could of had that would of beat a flush. Unless, he got lucky on a 4 draw or house which is less likely than the flush.

Online poker, people use "Run It Twice" feature, maybe that is the reason why he shoved on the turn rather than flat call.

alot of respect for you man not to take offence but how is this a different sitaution to when you shoved against jen tilly, more fold equity?

I agree Alec it's not a bad spot to realize your equity for a good price instead of raising, but what if you suspect a continuation from ak, aq etc could it be a good time to squeeze against an agressive player who faced with a raise would fold those hands?

I think when you raise on a draw your bluffing When you raise and he reraise your behind money that shouldn’t have been in play

Aren't you always trying to hit the flop? Well unless in certain tourny situations......

More like how not to play a flush draw

Precisely

I really don't see anything wrong with the king jack play he was showing super aggression .

...title of the video is a little misleading - this is not how you should play a flush draw in NLH at all.

I've got a question for you all. I started playing poker on a free app, and people there play veeeery loose, so most of the times bluffing is useless. So i end up playing all the hand against 6 guys until the river, instead of the "usual" hand to hand(at least in poker pro games) . So what strategy do you advice to me? Thanks for reading :)

So would you call with 89 suited preflop? Or maybe KQ suited?

its a poorly played hand from start to finish. Guy gets lucky and hits his flush.

if cards would only follow the% we wouldnt talk about badbeats all the time.lmfao.

Your play was not too bad. You would have made less money if you played like a sheep..

just like about 400$ by shoving a flush draw feels badman

the last vid with AAs was even worse than this…poker for noobs ugh.

I wish this was in hindi. 😂😂 Have to watch atleast 9-10 times.

Hero has a gambling problem trying to justify that jam.

I agree that the hand is a mess but if you run the shove through a fold equity calculator I don't think it's bad. Against a range of {QQ+, AdQd} the shove is actually +ev even if villain never folds. So we don't need any fold equity for it to be profitable and by just calling we risk not being paid when that 3rd diamond hits /:

I have to agree and am glad to know that my play in these situations is correct in your explanation. I humbly appreciate your advice and wisdom sharing insight. If, or should I say when I become a professional poker player I will not forget to give thanks to you for your help!

Isn't it hard to win more money if you called the flop. .aren't you turning your hand up also if you call, re raise, or bet the turn? I thought he might have been up against AdAx...that would've sucked

+Alec I'd love to hear your take on why the flop call is the right move over folding given the preflop action and pot odds by themselves don't justify it. Can you make enough of an assumption that the opponent, with Jacks or higher, will find it harder to let their hand go when they see the diamond scare card come out - hence your implied odds are good?

well.. are you not backing yourself into a corner by just calling? makes sense sense that's a whole lot cheaper most of the time though. either way, tough to fold 2nd nut draw. not much value you can get from it unless you get lucky basically.

You didn't talk much about the second reason for raising. If the opponent happpens to cbet systematically in 3 bet pots and 3 bet freuqently, against early opens, then despite stacking off as an underdog always, the line can be profitable and possibly superior to a call (but much better to raise a small fd than K high one ldo, if opponent's cbet range is very wide). Wiithout specific info though, the whole play is disastrous (and not just in zoom). Callins the 3 bet with KJdd would be ok on btn but it very bad in mp. And the flop raise is ridicumously bad.

I love your videos. I just built up a 5000 dollar bankroll playing soft games in a miami casino. I'm buying in for 150 generally about 3% of my bankroll, should I continue my 3% strategy our move up to 2_5 with 5%

great hand analysis, I have watched several of your vids but actually learned something new from this one and had to subscribe. I actually liked his call pr flp if like u said "if" he knows his opponent, but b n a TAG myself I would hv md the auto raise on the flp as he did trying to get the free turn card, not realizing he can comfortably defend his big pair on that board. I hv a better chance getting the free card on a Td 9d 8h type board, so you just increased my equity. thanks

I thought shoving on flop with flush draw and two over cards was not only a good fold equity play but also odds favor the hero assuming all outs are in play. Play is profitable due to ability to stack villain if outs hit, which again, seem to be above 50% with 2 cards to come, and when you also factor in fold equity, it seems shoving immediately post flop is right play. Not raising or flat calling.

I did a same play like this Reraising on a flush draw. i knew he was on a good pair so i Made iT look with that reraise that i had trips or aces or king the bord with low Numbers only not completing Any straight or flush draws and after the check raise i was betting like 35 procent off pot to make iT look like value bet on the turn and i checked the river faceing a value bet off the opponent 25 procent only and i put him on either jacks Queens kings or aces but most likely thought was Queens or jacks it was a risky play knewing he was strong and i reraised HIM once again 2.5x hes bet and he was thinking for a while and decided to fold. 🤟🏻

What do you suggest he do on the turn? Just call then fold the turn when a diamond doesn't come? I think at that point he has to shove. He's not repping much at all by raising the flop. Repping like A5 diamonds unlikely he has 22 or 33.

Alec- On the flipside, do you think you can give an example of a board texture when it is a better move to raise the flop with a kj of diamonds here(given that you still flop nothing but a flush draw)?

the reason to go all in is to prevent your opponent from folding once you hit your hand. if no diamond comes on turn, he is shoving and you are calling in a bad spot. if diamond comes, he may check and fold to your bet.

Love u shirt alec as they say in the streets dope city

Could villain ever get away from his hand by calling the 3-bet on the flop and getting the diamond on the turn?

Open raise from mid with KJs is OK. I call BB in position here every time. So you could be dominated if you pair. You have both flush and strait draws that could stack a 2 pr or a set.

similar happened to me tonight, though i didn't hit the flush and got knocked out...was very much smh at myself afterwards.

I get a lot of setups playing online as if the game chooses some id for setups lol I just want to get rid of this its like playing online we should know when to play when not to so I can get away from setups. lol .

Such a fish the guy who played this hand

I've just started watching your videos, I like your thought prosses throughout most of the hands you are analyzing, very much similar to my own.

played horrendously. lets be honest.

Please consider getting rid of the distracting background music.

Isnt it always the book move to play the nut flush draw agressively on the flop? ok i know this wasnt the nut flush draw but...would hero have been correct to reraise villians bet of 120 all in?

Wow hero this is really bad lmao

Alec, does Villian ever have Ax on the flop, and would hero be able to shove him off of it?

In my opinon the turn 4-bet shove is perfectly justified as he need to call around $450 out of his $1005 after which he will be left with $650. Now a blank on the turn is the most tough situation as the Villian would in all likely hood push the turn as he is commited as well and most probably will put me on a flush draw. So regardless of whatever card turns up , I call there as I don't believe that I could afford to fold the remaining $650 in the pot of $2350. So to avoid any unneccssary decision making the 4-bet is the right play. What I believe as a wrong play though is, after the preflop reraise and the flop bet by the villian he is more likely having a overpair to the board. So he is not getting away from it. Re-raise here would make sense in following scenarios. 1. The villian has a stack of $1500 but I have only around $600 odd in total. In this case, if I had called his $95 and then calling his $120 , I would be left will around $380 which is very tough for me on the turn. So in such scenaro a push on the flop is justified. 2. I have a stack of $1500 + and the villian has around $600 or less. In this case, after the flop bet by him he is left only with $380 and he in all probability is shoving the turn. My equity here is good enough to shove and take the risk of loosing 50% of my chips with a 35% odds as I already invested $95 in the pot. Plus in the even of he having AK , AQ like of hands he is folding. 3. Stack sizes being the same. If I know the hand range of this player is very weak and I have seen him do this with small pocket pair or mere two high cards in which case the odds of me winning the pot increases.I would gamble with him here. If the player is good and tight and if I really put him on a over pair, calling 120 and then probably calling another 250 on the turn and give up the river if I miss is the right play.

Quite funny you saying you don't like going all in with a flush draw as I've just seen a video of you shoving a flush draw against Jennifer Tilly's trips and losing. I guess that's why you don't like it

good insight i totally agree with your sound advice concerning thia hand. thanks for the videos