Flop
The first three community cards dealt face-up simultaneously after the preflop betting round. The flop is a critical moment that defines many hands.
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What Is Flop?
The flop dramatically changes the strength and equity of every hand still in play, transforming preflop hand values into concrete made hands, draws, or missed opportunities. Betting on the flop, often called continuation betting when the preflop raiser continues their aggression, is one of the most studied and strategically important streets in No-Limit Hold'em.
Examples
A player holding Ace-King sees a flop of King-7-2, giving them top pair with a strong kicker.
A flop of Queen-Jack-Ten creates numerous possible straights and draws for multiple players still in the hand.
Strategy Tips
Evaluate board texture carefully on the flop, considering how well it connects with your own range versus your opponent's range before deciding on a bet size or action. Continuation bet selectively based on range advantage rather than automatically betting every flop after raising preflop. Pay attention to how many players see the flop, since strategy in heads-up pots differs significantly from multiway pots. Practice hand reading on the flop by narrowing opponents' likely holdings based on their preflop action and how they respond to your bet.