Playing Draws that are the favorite in NL

One of my favorite types of hands to have on the flop is a huge draw that is the favorite against pretty much any other hand. For example, you have KQs and the flop is 10sJsx. You have 9 outs to the flush, 6 (8-2 spades) to the nut straight, and against just TPTK you have your two overs for 6 more outs. Another not so obvious example that's a tougher decision if you're put to the test: You have A10s flop is JsKh2s. 9 to the flush and 3 to the straight gives you 12 outs twice, so you are about 24/48 (50%) to win the hand, so you are even money against any hand but a set. Another: AKs with two to your suit and two overs, in which case you are even money or better against any hand but AA, 2 pair, or a set (I will almost always ram and jam and be willing to put it all-in on the flop in this situation). How do you guys generally play these types of hands?

I was playing them passively most of the time and waiting to see if my draw hit before taking the lead in the hand, but lately I've been trying to get all my money in on the flop (in raised pots or unraised pots where there's a lot of action) so I don't have to make a tough decision if my draw doesn't come on the turn, and additionally, so that if my draw hits, I don't have to worry about getting it paid off. You also have the chance of taking down a decent sized pot right there. So far, this is working out about as expected for me; I've taken down a few good sized pots by going all-in and folding everyone, and about half the time I was called or called all-in I doubled up or busted someone, while the other half I got busted myself or doubled up someone.

Do you think it's wise to push these marginal and speculative edges, or is it better in the long run to wait for made hands before you commit all your chips to the center? (I'm talking about ring games here as opposed to tourneys, where you would almost definitely not want to push in these situations unless you were shortstacked or counting on folding out your opponent).

The drawing hands are great. But remember, they are still draws. Don't get scared from playing them, because they will turn into big winners for you. But don't forget to look at both sides of the coin before you push all your money in.

I was knocked out of a tournament with exactly that situation. I had an outside straight flush draw with a couple of overs and I went all-in (I was already short stacked) I had a caller with top pair and I didn't catch any of my outs. After the flop I was actually the favorite to win. After the hand, I didn't win and I wasn't out-drawn.

I say if you want to play those, raise, that's fine. But give yourself an exit. You don't want to be pot commited after the turn when you only have 1 card left and the odds are no longer in your favor.

I'm trying to give you all the information. I don't want to say to play them hard and put all your trust in them, and I don't want to say to play them weak and ditch them at the first opportunity.

I don't mind pushing with a flush draw plus open ended straight draw, particularly if they are the nut straight and nut flush. The odds you have with two cards to come plus folding equity make that a very +EV play.

Isn't pushing with mulit-draws the kind of hand that NL is all about?

Originally Posted by Humphrind

I say if you want to play those, raise, that's fine. But give yourself an exit. You don't want to be pot commited after the turn when you only have 1 card left and the odds are no longer in your favor.

Yeah, that's why I've started trying to get it all-in on the flop with that type of hand, so I can rest easy knowing I got my money in when I was a favorite and so I'm not forced into making a hard decision on the turn.

Do you think pushing is a good play at a table where you can outplay the average opponent though (case in point: PP NL 25 and 50 tables)? A few times I've burned through my buy-in when I failed to connect with my multidraw, and it seemed to me like it might be a good idea to wait to put all my money in there when I'm in much better shape to double-up (i.e. have my opponent drawing dead or to 2 or 3 outs).