A flush, known for being the fifth strongest hand in poker, occurs when a player can combine five cards of the same suit with their hand and the five community cards placed down by the dealer. For example, in a Texas Hold’em format, a flush will occur if you hold J-7 of hearts, with the community cards showing  K-8-5-3-2 with three hearts. Why? Because, among the seven cards at your disposal, you’re able to connect five suited cards (hearts).

As online poker tournaments go, a flush has a strong possibility of winning any given hand. However, it’s important to recognize the nut hand before betting aggressively – a full house can beat a flush in poker, as can four-of-a-kind, a straight flush, and a royal flush. Read on as we discuss the best poker tips for when the flush hits and you don’t have it.

What Does It Mean When the Flush Gets There?

If the flush “gets there,” it simply means that the flush draw has a successful result. In other words, you complete your flush. If you reach the flop with three or four cards to a flush, or find a fourth flush card on the turn, you are very close to making that flush. When the fifth card of that suit comes on the turn or river, the draw becomes an actual flush, which means the flush got there. It’s a good situation to be in, as you may win a lot of money, provided you learn and apply tips for playing flush draws. 

Why Flush-Completing Cards Are Dangerous

A flush draw, as mentioned, can include any cards of a specific suit, from the highest to the lowest. However, only when you have the ace or king of that suit, depending upon the community cards on the board, do you have the nut flush draw? That is, the best possible flush, and therefore potentially the strongest hand. Without that assurance, you may be competing with another player for the best flush.

For example, say you have J-9 of clubs, and the queen and four of clubs are on the board. This may put you in a flush-competing situation with another player. You have to determine, based on their betting pattern and tells, if their hole cards include the queen, king, or ace of clubs. 

If so, your flush may be beat by a higher flush, so you’ll need to be very careful about committing all of your chips only to be outflushed by your opponent. This is why it’s so important to pay close attention to nut flush draw strategy in cash games.

Adjusting Your Strategy on Flush Turns and Rivers

What is a flush draw in poker from a strategy perspective? Learning how to play when you don’t have a flush means knowing how to adjust your play. On the turn and river,  it’s about maximizing advantage and reducing risk.  The pot is growing, ranges are getting tighter, and mistakes are getting more costly, so strong play is essential. There are two main approaches, depending on whether you raised or called preflop. 

Playing Against Flushes as the Preflop Raiser

1. When out of Position As the Preflop Raiser, Semi-Bluff With Open Enders

The only way of dealing with flush draws that complete is to beat them or bluff them. Playing out of position makes it trickier to reach the showdown, as you no longer have the option to check back for free. So, if you’re holding 9-8 of hearts, while the board shows 10-6 of clubs and another card, it would be a shame to check-fold away as you have a possibility of a straight. 

The best-case scenario is betting aggressively, forcing a fold, and winning the pot outright.  Your worst-case scenario is getting raised and folding.

2. Always Check With the Second Pair

Regardless of being in or out of position, a second pair is too weak to play aggressively when playing against a flush in poker. The best way to reach the showdown in this case is by playing passively. If an opponent has staked a big bet, it’s safest to fold. That said, keep an eye out for the chance to make a winning full house vs flush poker hand ranking.

3. Unless You Have an Extra Draw, if You Have a Top Pair in Position, You Should Check

Although a top pair usually puts you in the strongest position after the flop, if there’s the possibility of a flush, any bet you make may be a financial waste.

Playing Against Flushes as the Preflop Caller

1. Always Fold Naked Open-Enders Against a Second Bet

For experienced players capable of advanced poker hand reading, open-enders are good as it presents an opportunity for a big flush, straight, or any other high-ranking hands. However, it’s important not to get carried away and stake high, as the value of your open ender can quickly diminish if the turn produces a flush card.

2. Unless You Have a Flush or Straight Draw To Go With It, You Should Fold When Holding a Pocket Pair Above the Second Card

As previously mentioned, when there’s the possibility of a strong hand, such as a straight or flush, your pocket pair has a minimal chance of winning. Your best chance of winning is to bluff and hope players perceive you to have the strongest hand with a high kicker. Otherwise, just fold.

3. Middle Pairs Are Too Weak To Call Against a Second Bet When You’re out of Position

An example of a middle pair on the flop is holding 8-7 of hearts, while the community cards are J-8-3 rainbow with no hearts.

Bet Sizing Strategies on Flush-Heavy Boards

Learning how to play different board textures is key, so be sure to explore how different poker board textures are explained to get an understanding of these different types of poker boards. 

In this case, a flush heavy board is the kind that seems to give everyone a chance to make a flush. If you don’t have a chance to make a stronger hand than a flush, then you have two basic poker strategy flush board choices. Either bow out and fold, or represent strength and play as though you have a strong flush draw. Bet large. That way, you’ll be making opponents pay the correct price to see their draws, and you’ll avoid giving them the wrong odds. It’s similar to the aggressive strategy you’d use if you had a royal flush in poker. 

When To Fold vs When To Call Against a Flush

Knowing when to fold in Texas Hold’em tends to save a great deal of money.  Faced with a flush draw, it comes down to some basic questions. Are you in a position to improve your hand, taking pot size into consideration? If so, it may be profitable to call. Otherwise, it may be prudent to adopt a defensive poker strategy and fold – especially if your opponent is on a stronger range.  

How To Read Opponents on Flush-Completing Cards

A good poker hand reading strategy relies on key tells that provide an understanding of your opponents’ playing personalities and help you decide when to stick to your poker strategy or improvise. 

If you notice a competitor who regularly folds but is betting aggressively, it may be best to fold, as it suggests that they have strong cards. Another factor that should influence your betting behavior when holding or chasing a flush is the high card. When there are four community cards sharing the same suit, it isn’t uncommon for more than two players to be holding a flush, meaning a winner is decided on a high card (otherwise known as a kicker). With an ace being the strongest card, don’t get carried away with a card valued under 10. 

Realizing when to play aggressively or defensively in poker is what separates the good from the great. It also doesn’t hurt to learn how to read poker hands better. 

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