How to Read the Board
Master the art of identifying potential hands and understanding board texture
Identifying Strong Hands
Paired Boards
When community cards contain matching ranks
A♠
A♣
7♥
- Possible three of a kind with pocket pair
- Full house potential with pocket sevens
- Two pair possibilities
Connected Boards
Sequential cards that could form straights
8♠
9♣
T♥
- Straight draws abundant
- Multiple straight possibilities
- Watch for gap straight draws
Suited Boards
Multiple cards of the same suit
J♥
8♥
3♥
- Flush possibilities
- Flush draw potential
- Hidden nut flush threats
Recognizing Drawing Hands
Straight Draws
- Open-ended (8 outs)
- Gutshot (4 outs)
- Double gutshot (8 outs)
- Combination draws
Example: 6♠ 7♠ 8♣ (open-ended with 5♠ 6♣)
Flush Draws
- Nine outs to complete
- Nut flush draws
- Second nut considerations
- Backdoor possibilities
Example: A♥ T♥ with K♥ 2♥ on board
Full House Draws
- Set looking for pair
- Two pair looking for boat
- Pocket pair with one on board
Example: K♠ K♣ on K♥ Q♠ Q♣ board
Determining the Nuts
On the Flop
- Identify highest possible hand
- Consider hole card combinations
- Watch for redraws
Example: On A♠ K♠ Q♠ flop, J♠ T♠ is the nuts
On the Turn
- Re-evaluate with new card
- Consider new possibilities
- Track flush and straight draws
Example: Fourth suited card makes flush possible nuts
On the River
- Final hand rankings
- Consider all five cards
- Look for counterfeited hands
Example: Paired board makes full house possible nuts