Hope is an inseparable part of playing mobile poker. When the flop comes around, we all wish for the community cards to help us create a winning combination. But alas, that is rarely the case.
Statistically speaking, you have a 2/3 chance of missing the flop (which means the flop doesn't reveal cards that improve the value of your hand). Once the first community cards are revealed and they aren't what you expected, you need to decide what to do. Should you fold? Keep playing aggressively? Or maybe calling and waiting for the turn and river is the right move?
In this Everygame poker guide, we will address a few common scenarios and how you should deal with them. Stay tuned and learn more about developing a strategy after a missed flop!
Best Case Scenario
Yes, even when you miss the flop, you can still hold on to the hope of getting a strong hand. Let's take a look at the following example: if you are holding an ♣A and ♣K and the flop reveals a ♦10, ♦J, and ♣5 – you still have a decent chance of getting a winning hand.
Those community cards have the potential to help you get a flush, a straight, or at least a strong pair. Either way, the potential of getting a strong hand is there, so you need to act accordingly. There is no reason for you to fold just yet, but you should also refrain from overvaluing your hand's potential.
So instead of playing aggressively, as if you're already in possession of an unstoppable combo, you should check in this situation. Test the grounds and see whether your opponents are feeling highly confident with their own hands, and possibly raise later in the game.
The 50-50 Scenario
In some cases, you will encounter a flop that has equal chances of being a great success and a major…well, flop. Let's stick to the pre-flop hand containing an ♣A and ♣K. If the first community cards revealed are ♥Q, ♠4, ♦7 – you still have a chance of getting a flush or a strong pair. However, your opponents have an equal chance of getting the upper hand.
If your opponents raise, they probably have stronger cards, so if you want to stay in the game, your best solution is to bluff. You can try to convince your competition that you have a decent hand, but if that doesn't work and they keep raising – you should consider folding.
No-Chance Scenario
Yes, even when you have strong cards there is no guarantee you will win. So, when you have ♣A and ♣K, you can still hope to get a superb hand that will beat all others. However, if the flop reveals a ♥5, ♥6, and ♥7, your chances of getting a strong hand are slim. You might still have a chance of bluffing your way to the top, but your opponents probably have a better hand, and the best course of action is to fold.
Extra Tips on How to Deal with a Missed Flop
- Consider your position – If your chances of getting a good hand are relatively low, your position will influence your ability to bluff and intimidate your competition.
- Understand your opponents – Are they aggressive players? Do they tend to bluff? Or are they tight players? Trying to predict how others might react can help you choose the best course of action.
- Don't be afraid of folding – Some players think that folding shows weakness, but in reality, if you fold at the right time, you will look like a highly calculated and advanced player.
In Conclusion
Yes, sometimes the flop doesn't reveal the cards you were hoping for, but that's not the end of the world! As long as you know what to do, you can still win some cash, or at least protect your hard-earned money.