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Set Versus 3-Flush Flop

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1. • Posted by Nick L 2008-02-07 18:44:41
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   • I wanted to start a topic of conversation here. When you flop a set into a board that is 3 flush how do you like to play it? For me, I like to be highly aggressive and not let them hit it or give them a price to chase.

2. • Posted by Jason M 2008-02-07 23:51:47
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   • I need more info. I'll make up the rest of the story....

     Story Version #1

     It's late into a 6-handed cash game. The table is full of those crazy/aggressive Vancouver Poker Tour players, who are known to go all-in with stone cold bluffs on numerous occasions. I have a tight and aggressive table image, and they seem to love to play against me just for the chance to be the one to take me, the FACE CRUSHER, out. Lol.

     We all have about $40 in front of us, and the blinds are 25c/50c. I pick up pocket sixes on the button and somebody in middle position made a raise to $2.00. I smooth call, figuring I had great implied odds if I hit. Remember, these guys are loose and want my cash... The small blind folds and the big blinds calls.

     The flop comes down A63, all hearts. Bingo, I have a set. But that flush draw does not make me happy. Both players check before me. What do I do?

     Analysis

     Remember, with a set, you are going to hit a full house about 25% of the time. You can reasonably only worry about losing to a flush here, but I'm pretty sure you want to get as much money in the pot as possible. Chances are they don't have a made flush, and their chance of hitting it if they choose to draw is something like 35%. You are going to hit your full house 25% of the time they make it, which really only gives them about a 20% chance to win. You can feel free to give them 3-1 odds or worse on the flop, especially if you think they are going to continue to draw at you if they miss on the turn.

     I guess that means I would milk it. I'd probably bet the pot, giving them 2-1, which is terrible for them, but they seem to play back pretty aggressively, so they may play with you. If they raise you, it's probably a semi-bluff, so calculate your pot odds and make the right decision. Chances are it's a call. They middle position player be bluffing with just an ace.

3. • Posted by WeezerMoo 2008-02-08 00:12:11
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   • I almost never fold a set in any circumstance. I have to be 99% sure I'm beat to fold a set generally. When the board is 3 flushed...my chances of filling up by the river are about 1/3...33%. Their chances of flushing are 35% if they dont already have one, so I'm playing this hand like the nuts in most cases. I am definitely way more aggressive with it than I would be with a set on a non flush board because you are more likely to get the action you want on a board like this. The combination of times the board pairs and times you are good anyways makes playing sets aggressively on any board profitable in the long run.

4. • Posted by Jason M 2008-02-08 00:17:56
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   • Weezer - so you are saying play them aggressively, but you don't want to be so aggressive so you don't get a caller, right?

5. • Posted by Ethan 2008-02-08 07:22:46
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   • LOL - FACE CRUSHER. I think that might be your new nickname.

6. • Posted by Ethan 2008-02-08 07:28:15
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   • After the game I played Tuesday, I might have to go with slow-play. I got good hands but overbet too much, so all I won were blinds. Now that could easily change with more players, especially if they're being agressive. I just hate hitting a boat and not getting any callers, though.

7. • Posted by Jason M 2008-02-08 18:16:11
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   • Lol, Ethan, that was kinda an inside joke. I was writing the story from Nick's perspective. Nick is the one and only "face crusher". :p

8. • Posted by Graham 2008-02-26 19:24:53
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   • It just so happens I have explicit experience with this situation. Last time I was in Vegas playing drunken 1-2 NL. I was way up for the night and pretty much owning the table like never before when I picked up black Jacks in a middle position. I made it 10 to go after a limper or two and got one caller, the button. He was pretty tight and also the second or third highest stack at the table. Felting him would put me up something like 4-500. Flop comes 36Jh. Not exactly what I want to see with the hearts, but I do have top set. I make a pot-sized bet and he makes it 100 without much thought. I go into the tank for a bit and end up folding my Jacks face-up with a 'nice hand.' He drags the pot and shows me 6s6c! At the time, I couldn't believe the raise. After some Grand Lux discussion with Stephen, Jeph and Jason, I saw the error of my ways. Sucks that I had to 'lose' 400 to figure that one out, but who knows.

9. • Posted by Jason M 2008-02-26 19:57:58
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   • Doood. I remember that :/

10. • Posted by Ethan 2008-02-27 07:55:10
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    • Ouch.

11. • Posted by FREMONTkyle 2008-05-05 13:29:14
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    • on this board aggainst a player i know likes to make moves and play back at people i play it like i have a weak A and am trying to just take the pot there so i would make what most people would think is a scared bet there if there the thinking type so i would bet the pot setting the trap for him to re raise if he just calls i would check the flop hoping he makes his move there and spring the trap but this is only if the player is exactly as you described him. either way i lead out at the pot in this situation though bu if its a tight player i bet 1/2 the pot or his pre flop raise of 2 dollars because with the A on board i would hope he was raising with an A and in any situation to most players it looks like weakness when you lead out into a pre flop raiser on a board like that. because if you flopped the flush why wouldnt you let the aggressive player do the standard continuation bet.

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