Four-flush and four-straight boards: how to play them
Sometimes the turn or river puts four cards of one suit or four cards to a straight on the board — for example K♥ 9♥ 6♥ 2♥ or 9-8-7-6. Now any player holding just one fitting card has a flush or a straight. Hand values change completely.
Four-flush boards
Section titled “Four-flush boards”- One card of the suit makes a flush. The ace of that suit makes the nut flush.
- Sets, two pair and top pair become bluff catchers at best. See bluff catchers.
- If you hold the A of the suit without a flush yet, you block the nuts — a useful bluffing card. See blockers.
Four-straight boards
Section titled “Four-straight boards”On 9-8-7-6, any 10 or 5 makes a straight; a J-10 makes a higher one. Holding the top end (e.g. J-10) is crucial. See the nuts.
How to play
Section titled “How to play”| Your hand | Plan |
|---|---|
| The nuts or near-nuts | Bet for value — many one-card hands call |
| Low flush / low straight | Bet small or check; be careful against raises. See reverse implied odds |
| Set, two pair, top pair | Check; call small bets from aggressive players, fold to big bets from passive ones |
| Nothing but a blocker | Consider a bluff against thinking players |
Common mistakes
Section titled “Common mistakes”- Betting big with a set on a four-flush board and getting raised.
- Paying off big river bets from passive players.
- Forgetting that a single card completes the hand for anyone.
See also playing flushes, playing straights and scare cards.
What is a four-flush board?
Section titled “What is a four-flush board?”A board with four cards of the same suit; any player with one card of that suit has a flush.
How should I play a set on a four-flush board?
Section titled “How should I play a set on a four-flush board?”Usually check and treat it as a bluff catcher; fold to big bets from passive players.
Why does the ace of the suit matter on a four-flush board?
Section titled “Why does the ace of the suit matter on a four-flush board?”It makes the nut flush, and without a flush it blocks the nuts for bluffing.
What should I do with a low flush on a four-flush board?
Section titled “What should I do with a low flush on a four-flush board?”Bet small or check and be careful against raises.