What do you do when you flop a monster draw??

[balt999]

This hand is from my PP 2-4 session:

I'm in SB with 5c3c. 3 Limpers in front. I throw a dollar to complete the bet...BB checks. 2 of the players are average, and two are weak. 5 see the flop:

*** FLOP *** : [ 4c 6d Jc ]

There's a monster draw for me!! I bet out...everyone folds to the CO, who's and average player, he raises...button folds...With it being heads up and with 15 outs..I decided to 3 bet...CO calls. I wanted to put as much money in the pot as I could knowing I had 2 cards to come to hit one of my 15 outs.

*** TURN *** : [ 2c ]

Completing my flush and my straight at the same time..I didn't want to get cute and attempt a check-raise...I rarely check-raise when I'm heads up..unless I'm absolutely sure I would get a bet. The CO calls.

*** RIVER *** : [ 3d ]

I bet again...CO Calls....I win with my flush...and 5 BB. probably as much as I could get.

As far as 3 betting the flop..I will usually 3 bet and sometimes cap the flop if I get a monster draw even with there are a lot of players left...I believe in getting as much money in the pot as possible....

Comments?

[Mason Malmuth]

Poker is more complex than "I have the best hand therefore I will get as much money as possible in on the flop." Suppose you play it slow and the pot is now short handed after the flop betting. If a blank comes, you might have a good hand to check raise semi-bluff. Sticking to hard and fast rules withour regard to who you are against, the exact board, and the betting, will not maximize your possible winnings in the long run.

MM

[anatta]

I would play it the same way since you are better than even money to make a flush or a straight by the river, and your opponent may fold a hand that can't stand the heat. Headup or multiway, I am generally raising big draws like this.

[hutz]

Depending on your opponents, a checkraise might work well here if you expect the bet to come from your immediate left. If, instead, a late person bets, you can simply call and set yourself up for a checkraise semi-bluff if a blank hits, consistent with Mason's analysis.