Nut Flush Draws Are Good Bluff-Catchers

Full Tilt No-Limit Hold’em, $20.00 BB (5 handed) – Full-Tilt Converter Tool from FlopTurnRiver.com

SB ($2000)
Hero (BB) ($2108)
UTG ($2060)
MP ($3164)
Button ($2916)

Preflop: Hero is BB with A, 5
2 folds, Button bets $60, 1 fold, Hero raises to $210, Button calls $150

Flop: ($430) Q, Q, 4 (2 players)
Hero checks, Button bets $280, Hero calls $280

Turn: ($990) K (2 players)
Hero checks, Button bets $480, Hero calls $480

River: ($1950) 3 (2 players)
Hero checks, Button bets $1946 (All-In), Hero calls $1138 (All-In)

Total pot: $4226 | Rake: $3

Results:
Button had 6, 6 (two pair, Queens and sixes).
Hero had A, 5 (flush, Ace high).
Outcome: Hero won $4223

4 thoughts on “Nut Flush Draws Are Good Bluff-Catchers”

  1. Hi Andrew,

    I’m still pretty green in poker, and was wondering if you could explain the thought process post-flop? With a 3-bet showing strength, and flopping a pretty strong hand, I would c-bet. I appreciate that given his calling range and the flop texture it’s more than likely he’ll float, but it seems a check-call gives you a lot less chance of winning the pot if you don’t make the flush. Obviously I’m a very low level poker player so not criticising by any stretch of the imagination, it’s hard to put tone in text, I’m curious and trying to learn, so thought I’d ask to try and understand.

    Thanks, hope you’re well.

    • Hi Chase,

      It’s a very good question, nothing to apologize for. I was a competitive debater; I can handle a little disagreement ;-). Besides, I ought to have explained myself, I was just being lazy.

      You’re right that betting the flop will win you the pot more often, and that is how I would play most flush draws. It’s a fine way to play even this hand, but I think the nut flush draw is good enough that it doesn’t necessarily have to be turned into a bluff. Check-calling the flop actually shows more strength than betting, which as you correctly predict is going to get floated a lot. At the same time, no one expects you to have a flush draw when you do it. So I think he’s not going to barrel me unless the flush comes in, which of course is what I want.

      Lastly, if I happen to play a hand like AQ this way, I’ll be a little less likely to get barreled off of it when the flush comes in, since I do have some flushes in my range.

      Hope that helps, and please keep commenting and asking questions- it’ll help you improve, and I enjoy getting feedback!

  2. is there any hand you are calling turn with that does fold this river as played?

    JJc, TTc I guess come to mind.

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