How to play monotone flops (three cards of one suit)
A monotone flop has all three cards of the same suit, for example K♥ 8♥ 3♥. Flushes are already possible, and anyone holding one card of the suit has a flush draw. Bet less often and smaller, value your high card of the suit, and play one-pair hands carefully.
Why monotone boards are special
Section titled “Why monotone boards are special”- A player with two cards of the suit already has a flush.
- Many players with one card of the suit have a draw that’s hard to fold.
- A fourth card of the suit on the turn makes one-card flushes possible.
Your hand on a monotone board
Section titled “Your hand on a monotone board”| You hold | Strength | Plan |
|---|---|---|
| Made flush, ace-high | Very strong | Bet for value; few hands beat you |
| Made small flush | Strong but vulnerable | Bet; slow down if a fourth suited card comes |
| Top pair + the A of the suit | Good | Bet; you block the nut flush. See blockers |
| Top pair, no card of the suit | Medium | Check more; pot control. See pot control |
| Overpair, no card of the suit | Medium | Bet small or check |
C-betting monotone flops
Section titled “C-betting monotone flops”As the preflop raiser, c-bet less often and smaller (about 1/3 pot). Many hands have a draw and won’t fold. See continuation bet and flop texture.
Facing bets
Section titled “Facing bets”- A raise on a monotone flop often means a made flush or a strong draw with the ace of the suit.
- With one pair and no card of the suit, fold to heavy action more often.
The turn
Section titled “The turn”If a fourth card of the suit comes, anyone with one card of that suit has a flush. Small flushes lose value; the ace of the suit becomes the key card. See playing flushes.
What is a monotone flop?
Section titled “What is a monotone flop?”A flop with all three cards of the same suit.
Should you c-bet on monotone flops?
Section titled “Should you c-bet on monotone flops?”Less often and with smaller sizes, because many hands have a flush draw.
Why is the ace of the suit important on monotone boards?
Section titled “Why is the ace of the suit important on monotone boards?”It blocks the nut flush and gives you the best possible flush draw.
What happens when a fourth suited card comes?
Section titled “What happens when a fourth suited card comes?”Anyone with one card of the suit has a flush, so small flushes and one pair get much weaker.