Rules of Thumb for Drawing

Rules of Thumb for No-Limit Holdem

Playing Limit Holdem.

Flush Draws at the Flop

Always call

Exceptions would be if the board is paired or you are headsup (against one opponent), then it is a judgement call.

Raise if you have three or more callers

The only exception would be if the board is paired making a fullhouse or fullhouse draw more likely. Then usually just call.

Open Straight Draws at the Flop

Always call

Exceptions: if the board is all one suit and you don't have the ace or king of that suit. Then fold.

If the board is paired, then it is a judgement call.

If you are headsup, then its a judgement call.

Raise if you have three or more callers

Exceptions would be if the board is paired or the board is all one suit (and you don't have the ace or king of that suit).

Gut-Shot Straight Draws at the Flop

Never Call, Fold

Exceptions would be if the board is not paired and the pot is (approximately) ten times the size of the call. This is especially true if you also have overcards or a backdoor nut flush draw. For example, call with a $15 pot when it costs you $1 to call.

Never Raise

Flush Draws at the Turn

Always call

Exceptions: if the board is paired, then it is a judgement call.

If the pot is less than four times the size of the call. For example, if the pot is $12 and it costs you $4 to call.

Never Raise

The only exception would be if the board is not paired and you have greater than five callers.

Open Straight Draws at the Turn

Always call

Exceptions: if the board shows three of one suit and you don't have the ace or king of that suit. Then fold.

If the board is paired, then it is a judgement call.

If the pot is less than four times the size of the call. For example, if the pot is $12 and it costs you $4 to call.

Never Raise

The only exception would be if the board is not paired and you have greater than five callers.

Gut-Shot Straight Draws at the Turn

Fold

Exceptions would be if the board is not paired, there is no flush possible and the pot is (approximately) twelve times the size of the call. This is especially true if you also have overcards. For example, call with a $32 pot when it costs you $2 to call.

Never Raise

These rules of thumb are based upon "value plays," that is when you have about the right odds for your play.

Remember that if you are betting or raising, you also have the additional advantage that everyone might fold.

In last position, we (almost) always raise a flush draw or open ended straight draw at the flop.

Rules of Thumb for No-Limit Holdem