Hands that flop well

Goods hands for raising, re-raising or calling fall into several categories.

One category which is good for initial raises, as well as calls out of position - such as in the blinds - is hands that flop well. This means hands which either improve on the flop, or should be abandoned - leaving you an easy decisions after the flop.

Hands that Flop Well

A hand that flops well is one of two classes:

1. A possible flush or draw hand, or both – such as 8s – 6s. You will either know you have a made hand (2 pair or better), or a good draw.
2. A small pair – e.g. 6 – 6 – where you may flop a set

These are good hands for speculative raises or calls. When you get a made hand you can continue and when you don’t you can fold.

However, with the suited or un-suited connectors you need to not get excited when you flop a small pair, because - especially playing out of position after the flop - it is probably not a good idea to lead out, check raise, or even call with a small pair out of position.

Hands don't that Flop Well

Some hands which you would often raise or call with from good position don't really flop well and should be avoided out of position.

As-8s, K-J, etc. do not flop well. You can easily get a top pair or middle pair and not know where you stand. And again when playing playing out of position - it is does not work well to lead out, check raise, or even call with these hands

When to use these hands

In late position, in the cutoff, on the button, or in the small blind, I recommend an opening raise with both of these types of hands:

Flop Well

• Any Pair
• Suited connector with up to two gaps - 43, 53, 63 or better
• Unsuited connector with up to one gap - 76, 75 or better

Don't Flop Well

• A2 or better 
• K7 or better
• Q9 or better

The first three are hands that flop well, and can also be used to raise,  call raises or re-raise.

The middle three groups should not be used for calls or re-raises, except for AJ or better. The smaller high-card hands such as A9, KT, etc. have reverse implied odds - meaning that you will rarely win big pots with them, but may often lose big pots with them when you flop top pair but your opponent has the same top pair but a better kicker.