Hand-Play Scenarios in Post Flop Poker

Playing strong post-flop often paves the way for a winning hand on the turn and the river. Hence, we should improve our play after the flop. Here are some post-flop poker play samples and maneuvers.

When we have a hand like an ace high post-flop we usually don't have much to show for it, depending on the play situation. Ace high hands are often not that playable, especially when the pot we're dealing with is a multi-way one. But with strong post-flop plays, even if we started with an ace high pre-flop, we may still be in for a win. It all depends on the poker milieu that has developed post-flop stage, like the kind of play being played by other players at the table—how loose or tight it has been since pre-flop.

When there's a good turn out for us post-flop—like when the flop reveals something substantial for us on the board—there's good reason for optimism on the river when we have a heads-up play for the pot. Again, this is if our strong pre-flop hand has been confirmed at the post-flop play. If the players have been playing loose even after the flop has revealed the community board, and little aggressive play has been showed, we may have reason to keep the ace high hand post-flop.

When we have a pair and a kicker, top pairs have a definite edge on the flop when both top pair and kicker have good quality. But a top pair often weakens on the river play. With top pairs we should bet aggressively right at the start to check our situation. However, we should be ready to quit a weak hand, especially when a player tries to pursue us on a flop after gaining some draws. This is also true when there are players still in the pot and the betting is really aggressive.

In a tournament, if the flop reveals unsuited A10 and 2 and we hold an AK, it would be a good idea to bet all-in if the blind bets are high. Poor players with a set or with a two-pair must be avoided in tournaments. When we flop a two-pair which we didn't have as a hand pre-flop our play becomes tougher. But be careful with the play especially on the river if a straight emerges. The same with a flush and stronger a two-pair hand emerging.

So, these are the different hand play possibilities in post-flop phase.