Limit Texas Holdem - Flush Draws

Flush draws are some of the strongest draws you can have on the flop. When you flop a flush draw in Limit Texas Hold'em it's going to be on a two-suited or three-suited flop.

Since there are thirteen cards of each suit you will always have 9 outs to make your flush when you flopped a flush draw, unless one of the cards in your suit pairs the boards and gives your opponent a full house. This is approximately 2-to-1 (35%) against improving by the river. Your hand is stronger if you have additional draws like a pair, a straight draw, overcards and so forth. When you flop a flush draw on a two-suited flop you are almost always getting correct pot odds to draw to the flush, but there are a few exceptions to consider.

1. Heads up in an unraised pot and all you have is the flush draw. This might be a good spot to semi-bluff, but don't check-call to the river.
2. You flop a small flush draw and there is heavy action on the flop. You might be drawing dead to a bigger flush draw. This is one of the reasons why the small suited connectors are preferably played in late position.
3. If the flop comes with a pair and there is heavy action on the flop. Someone is likely to hold trips and you might lose to a full house even if you hit your flush.

Flops with same suit

If the flop is three suited be ready to muck your hand if you don't have the nut or second nut draw. If your hand has additional values like a pair and/or a straight draw you might draw for a lower flush. It is usually hard to get action on these types of flops because players will play less aggressive unless they too have a very strong hand, like a set or two pair. Raising and trying for free cards is less likely to succeed because your opponents will be more apt to protect their made hands. This type of draw also has less value because it is so obvious that someone will hold a flush when a fourth suited card hits. This means that players won't give action unless the board stays three-suited. The time to play very aggressively is when you hold AA or KK and have the flush draw to go with the hand.

Importance of position

The more players that are in the pot when you flop a flush draw the better. You want to ensure that you win a big pot if you hit your hand. Position can be important as well, a raise from late position might give you a chance to have a free card if they all check to you on the turn. From early position you can slowplay or fold if the action is too heavy and you suspect the flushdraw is up against a higher draw. Against one or two opponents you can try to win the pot with a semi-bluff. If you feel there is a chance that you can win the pot by betting or raising it is correct to do so. If you have overcards to go with the flush draw you should bet or raise to force out hands that could make two pair or a pair with a better kicker than yours.