What is floating in poker?

A float is calling a bet in position with a weak or medium hand, planning to take the pot away on a later street when your opponent shows weakness. For example, you call a flop c-bet with ace-high, and when your opponent checks the turn, you bet and they fold. Floating works best in position against players who c-bet a lot and give up easily.

Example

You call a raise on the button with K♠ Q♠. The flop is 9♦ 6♣ 2♥. The raiser c-bets small. You call (float). On the turn the raiser checks. You bet about half the pot and win.

When floating works

You’re in position. See poker positions.
Your opponent c-bets often and checks the turn when they miss. See continuation bet.
You’re heads-up, not in a multiway pot.
Your hand has some equity: overcards, a backdoor draw, a gutshot.

Good hands to float with

Overcards like K-Q on a low board.
Backdoor draws (two cards of a suit or straight on the flop).
Gutshots with overcards. See playing draws.

When not to float

Against tight players who rarely c-bet without a hand: see playing against nits.
Against players who double-barrel often: you’ll face a bigger bet on the turn.
Out of position, or with no equity at all.

A word for beginners

Floating is a tool for experienced players. At micro stakes, many players c-bet less than you think, and the simple strategy of value betting good hands and folding weak ones usually wins more.

FAQ

What is a float in poker?

Calling a bet in position with a weak hand, planning to win the pot later when the opponent shows weakness.

When does floating work best?

In position, heads-up, against a player who c-bets a lot and checks the turn when they miss.

Which hands are good for floating?

Overcards, backdoor draws and gutshots that have some equity.

Should beginners float a lot?

No. It’s an advanced play; value betting and folding weak hands usually win more at low stakes.