Should you bet 2x on the flop with a flush draw in Hold’em vs. Dealer?

Flush draws, by your highest card of the suit

Average result per unit of ante (the blind equals the ante; trips not included), with the best play on every later street. Exact: every card that can still come and every dealer hand.

Why

Four to a flush makes the flush about a third of the time by the river, and a flush pays the blind 3 to 2 as well. That isn’t enough on its own: most of the time you miss, and then you need your high card to beat the dealer. An ace, king or queen of the suit gives you that second way to win; a ten doesn’t, so checking and deciding on the river is worth more. The popular simple strategy bets with a ten or better, which overbets the lowest of these draws.

Related questions

• Should you bet 2x on the flop with bottom pair in Hold’em vs. Dealer?

  Yes, when one of your own cards makes the pair, even with a weak kicker. Pocket 2s below the board are the exception: check them.

• Should you bet 1x or fold on the river in Hold’em vs. Dealer?

  Bet 1x with any pair that uses one of your cards. With nothing, count the dealer’s outs, the unseen cards that would beat you: bet with fewer than 21, fold with 21 or more.

• When should you raise 4x before the flop in Hold’em vs. Dealer?

  With any pair from 3s up, any ace, any suited king, K-5 offsuit or better, Q-6 suited or better, Q-8 offsuit or better, J-8 suited or better and J-10 offsuit. Check everything else, including pocket 2s.

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