If you’ve ever played poker before, then you’re probably already familiar with a few of the different terms and hands. However, even when you’re an experienced poker player, things can still get complex sometimes!
One of the most important hands in poker is the flush, which is five cards in your hand that all have the same suit. For example, if you have a queen, jack, 9, 4 and 3 of diamonds, you’ve got a flush!
It’s not to be confused with the straight flush – the basic flush is a middling card as far as the poker hand rankings are concerned, meaning that while it’s not the worst possible combo you can pull, there are stronger ways to win.
In this guide, I’ll take you through more crucial details you’ll need to know about the flush before you start playing poker at Tonybet – or in real life!
What beats a flush in poker?
Out of the 10 poker hands ranked in the game, the standard flush is in fifth place. This means that it’s outranked by four stronger hands, specifically the royal flush, the straight flush, the four of a kind, and the full house.
Now, notice that I mentioned two other flushes in this list. The strongest hand in poker, full stop, is the royal flush. This is where you have the five highest cards in the game all in the same suit.
For example, if you have a 10, a jack, a queen, a king and an ace of hearts, you have a royal flush. As far as hands go, you’re pretty much unbeatable at the table.
Just down from this is the straight flush. Notice that the basic or standard flush doesn’t have a specific order – you can draw any five cards and you’ll have a flush, provided that they are all the same suit.
A straight flush, meanwhile, is a consecutive run of cards that are also in the same suit. For example, if you draw a 7, 8, 9, 10 and jack of hearts, you have the second strongest hand in the game.
The four of a kind, which also beats the flush, means that you have a card in each suit present in your hand. Finally, the only other hand to beat the flush – the full house – is a combination of three cards of matching value, and a pair of matching value.
For example, if you have three kings and two sixes, you have a full house – and can beat a flush!
Is a flush a strong hand in poker?
Although the standard or basic flush is far from being the strongest hand in poker, it still outranks quite a few common draws.
The basic flush is stronger than the likes of the straight, the three of a kind, the two pair, the one pair and the high card.
These hands are those that some players will often try to bluff with if they draw them. For example, if you’re unlucky enough to simply draw a high card, which means that you have no combinations and just play based on the strength of your highest-value card, then you’re likely up against some stiff competition.
Some poker players will say that the standard flush can be a strong hand to play if you’re feeling confident.
It’s also worth noting that you might not want to play a flush if there are still cards left to be drawn from the table. You might only be one or two cards off a royal flush, for example!
Then again, some players might play a flush and simply use their bluffing skills to get through to the showdown. It’s a strong enough hand to beat the majority of those available, meaning that the odds are technically on your side.
Of course, whether you choose to go ahead and play a flush also depends on how experienced you are and how confident you might be to go further.
How should you play a flush?
There are no hard and fast rules to playing a flush in poker. However, there are a few different strategies you can use to work this hand to your advantage.
Getting a flush on the flop is a pretty big deal when you’re playing a no limit game – it’s actually pretty rare, and it could set you up for a fantastic hand that might win the game.
So, here are a few quick ideas to put into practice.
Check and call bets carefully
Many poker players swear by playing flushes as slowly and as carefully as possible – especially when you’re up against players who seem to be raising bets regularly and are doing so with some aggression!
Playing carefully makes sense if you consider the odds – particularly if you have a strong high card such as an ace or a king, which will protect you if you have to face off against another player. A good strategy to take along the way might be to avoid adding much more to the pile and playing it cool.
Some players who are just getting started with poker might rush into the later stages of the game on the basis of a flush alone, especially if there are strong cards in the draw. It’s not always a good idea – if you’re new to poker and you happen to get the makings of a flush on the flop, focus instead on what other players are doing and try to protect your interests.
Take risks if you have overcards – but don’t get cocky
Flopping with a flush, as mentioned, can be cause for premature celebration. However, if you happen to flop with an overcard or two, which means that you have cards that are strong enough to outplay other hands as well as the community pile, then you might be in the right to take a risk or two.
The argument against careful check-calling is that some players might spot your bluff or assume that you have a much weaker hand than you actually do. If you have strong overcards from a flush flop and you’re up against some aggressive players, then make a point to check-raise. Or, if you prefer, you could even bet the flop.
Don’t assume that there’s a set template for every flush
Ultimately, every game you play will be slightly different. You’re going to come across other poker players with different strategies and styles. Some will bet aggressively, while others will check the whole way around. Regardless, the point stands that you need to analyse your flush depending on how each round is going.
There are occasions where slow, cautious play will certainly pay off, and others where taking bold risks really won’t help. You could end up in over your head before you even realise it.
Therefore, be sure to watch a few games of poker or even try the game with friends. Poker can get pretty complicated at the best of times, so it’s worth practicing if you have any hope of reaching perfection!
Which flush is higher?
As mentioned, the royal flush is the highest hand in poker that you can draw. This means that if you get the top five cards in a single suit, then you’re positively unbeatable. That said, the odds of you getting that kind of draw are really quite rare.
With other flushes, it’s worth paying attention to the high card in your hand. Yes – the high card is the lowest type of hand in poker in and of itself, but it’s also a strong player when it comes to breaking deadlocks.
A flush with a high card of a king, for example, will always beat a flush with a high card of a jack. That’s simply because a king outranks a jack – and technically, your flush is higher than your opponent’s!
Players pay attention to high cards even when they get hands as valuable as straight flushes – simply because a straight flush with a high card of a king can still lose! Imagine if you play through to the showdown with an 8, 9, 10, jack and queen of spades – only to find that your opponent has a 9, 10, jack, queen and king of clubs! You’re out of the game and the pot.
Are flushes good hands to flop?
Yes, on the whole, flushes can be great poker hands to flop. They can form the basis of what’s seen as a pretty reliable mid-table card, and could even help you build up to the royal variant. Get the royal flush, and the game is yours.
Of course, there’s a lot more to consider when it comes to playing poker. Every game will unfold slightly differently – meaning that you can take the advice I’ve given you here at face value, but none of it really beats getting stuck in there and exploring these hands for real.
Take a look at some of the poker tables available at Tonybet and give it a go!
