When you’re playing heads-up (meaning against only one opponent) after the flop, pot odds become less of a factor. Unless there was a big raise preflop and your opponent only bets a small amount on the flop, you’re usually getting just about 2:1 odds on your money so it’s your call if you wish to go ahead with the hand.

A note on other types of draws: know the approximate odds of common situations in hold ‘em. For example, you’re about a 6:1 favorite to hit a set on the flop with your pocket pair, 12:1 to make an inside straight draw. Drawing to an inside straight in limit hold ‘em is almost never correct, whereas in no-limit you may try it very occasionally because you can crush your opponent if you hit.

Playing limit hold ‘em with no raise preflop, it’s easy to calculate pot odds. If you’re a 6:1 favorite to make your set on the flop, you’ll statistically need 6 other players in the pot with you in order to call. In no-limit hold ‘em, you don’t necessarily need 6 other players to call if you know what you’re doing. The reason is implied odds, which can be so much greater in no-limit. What are implied odds? Simple – they’re what you can expect to make from your opponent if you hit your hand. You can consider calling with a pair of deuces preflop with only two other opponents. Why? Implied odds. You might know that these players can’t lay down a hand, and maybe you could even get these players to go all-in with you if you hit your set. You’re making a great investment with your minimum bet call in this situation. In order to make this kind of play, you have to be disciplined enough to release the hand if it doesn’t hit on the flop.

So, you now know that you’re not going to be drawing to straights and flushes too often because you’re just not going to hit them enough to make it worthwhile. It can be a major leak in your game if you draw too often. Think about if you could have all those weak check-calls back that you didn’t hit your draw on. It might make the difference between a lifetime winner and lifetime loser.

When are the right times to draw, and how should you play it when you do? The right times to draw are when you have position in the hand. You’re much better off playing after your opponent when you’re on a draw. This way, he doesn’t know what you’re going to do after him. He may be foolish and slowplay his hand by checking to you on the flop. If you’re on a draw, you can check right behind him and take a free card. You also look much stronger if you call a bet from late position rather than check and call from early position. Nothing else screams, “I’m on a draw, take my money please,” louder than that.

You also should consider betting or raising with your draw when you have position on your opponent. If you’re going to play a draw at all, at least do it with some strength. The reason for this is threefold. First of all, your opponent probably won’t put you on a draw if you raise the hand. This allows you to make more money when your draw does hit. Secondly, you could win the hand right there with your raise. This is a great way to end the hand, since right now you don’t even have anything. Lastly, you may gain yourself a free card on the turn. Since you raised the hand on the flop, your opponent will probably check to you on the turn. You can bet again if you made your draw, or check if you didn’t make it and see the river for free. Bet on the river if you make your draw there. It’s a very simple and effective strategy.

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