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Rainbow

A flop with three different suits, meaning no flush draw is possible with just one more card.

James Carter
James CarterVerified

iGaming Journalist & Crypto Casino Analyst

What Is Rainbow?

A rainbow flop reduces the number of possible drawing hands compared to a two-tone (two cards of the same suit) or monotone (three cards of the same suit) flop, since no flush draw exists until at least a fourth card of a matching suit appears. This generally favors made hands like top pair or an overpair, since fewer opponents have strong drawing equity to chase.

Examples

1

The flop came King-Seven-Two rainbow, eliminating any immediate flush draw possibilities.

2

On a rainbow board, his top pair was much safer than it would have been on a two-tone flop.

Strategy Tips

Bet more confidently for value on rainbow boards, since your opponent's range contains fewer strong drawing hands. Use smaller continuation bet sizing on dry, rainbow flops, since there's less need to charge draws a steep price. Remember that a rainbow flop can still develop flush possibilities on the turn or river if two more cards of the same suit appear. Factor in straight draws separately, since a rainbow flop only rules out flush draws, not straight possibilities.

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