Free Poker Online Lesson On How To Play Backdoor Draws

No matter what game type, be it free poker online or high stakes, the backdoor draw whenever you miss the draw on the Flop but make it on the Turn. In this free poker online article you'll learn, by way of examples how to best play backdoor draws.

Backdoor Draw Sample

Lets say you have 8-7 and the flop comes 5-A-J. There is no Straight draw as you need 2 cards to complete it.

But if a 4, a 6 or a 9 shows at the Turn then that is the backdoor straight draw which you can hope on the river. If you complete your Straight on the river then you have a backdoor Straight (you can also have made hands like backdoor Flushes or Trips or Full Houses, by the way).

Lets assume we have 8-7, then the flop shows 5-A-J. In most situations if we have nothing at the Flop stage that might make a complete hand at the turn we fold.

But what about if you check and a conservative opponent decides to check his, say, A-10 or A-9? You then check, too (just as normally). If the Six (or Four or Nine) still doesn't come then our options are to just retreat or bluff.

But it's also possible to call in this situation. Imagine that the pot is 200 (blinds 10-20), only two of us are in the pot, and that he is first to act and bets only 25. The bet will swell the pot size to 225, and we are getting 9-to-1 on a call here.

We might call, so we could get a chance at even just a draw.

Also, it is also possible that when he bet his 25 he might be attempting to push you out of the pot with a small bluff but it doesn't change matters. Just call so you can have a chance at a backdoor draw.

And, note, don't show you are a weak player by folding to some bunk bluff. Folding in a 500 pot after a 30 bet? Now that is not just cowardice. It's senselessness.

If the Six, Four or Nine appears, the time has come to find out whether we shall still carry on. Usually we hope he plays conservatively and we hit our free Straight on the river.

Returning to the above mentioned situation: What about if at the already 250 pot, he bets 200? Fold. 100? Fold, or call, if you feel like calling.

To get a gutshot draw we're about 11-to-1 hitting our Straight; to have an up-and-down Straight draw, about 5 1/2-to-1. So if he bets 100, the pot is 350, and on a call we get 3 1/2-to-1.

It may still not be the right price, but if you feel like calling, call the 100 bet if it's up-and-down. If it is a Gutshot then fold. 50 or lower? You have 6 to 1 (300 pot, 50 to call); which makes the pot odds good for an up-and-down Straight draw, so go ahead and call. Not quite for a gutshot.

But you may also call like, you're representing A-K and you can make a move on the river.

Next, should you get the Straight at the river it is time to play aggressive. Usually he will put you on a made hand one the Flop (maybe your "weak" call indicated that you have second Pair, say, J-10 or even third Pair, such as if you have K-5 or Q-5; or even a Broadway draw with K-Q or Q-10)

But we completed a Straight that contains the Eight and the Seven, and he has hardly any clue about it! Why? Because you called on the Flop, and unless he is a strong player and knows about it, that call may indicate a made hand! If he bets, raise (maybe a raise for value that will not scare him off), or if he checks, bet large.

If it is not looking good!

If you don't hit the straight bail out.

Or, it may be that on the Turn, you called with the intention of representing A-K and then making a move on the river just play this fast, and only if you can afford it. If it is just a smaller bet, you could call, but only in order to get information. Muck as fast as you can.

That is, if you do go and chase the backdoor draw; if, say, you can afford it with your chip stack. As a rule, do not chase cards! Chasing, alongside going Tilt is a thing that losing players do most.

Or don't pursue a backdoor draw with the intention of chasing. Usually you should be on the offensive by bluffing; on the above example, he may even fold the A-10 if he checked and you bet substantially. Just treat the Straight as angel's grace.

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