I keep hearing this addage - don't chase a straight when there's a flush draw on the board. The thing is, many of the biggest pots I've taken down have been in exactly this situation. I'm talking about up/down draws here, not gutshots. I don't chase gutshots anyway so that's beside the point.

First, when there's a flush draw on the board it's easy to read people. They'll bet small or check-call with a draw. They'll bet big with a made hand then back way off if the 3rd heart comes and anyone else calls or bets. If the 3rd comes and they have 1 good heart many will call a bigger bet than they should on the turn.

Second, the 2 hearts draw so much attention they often won't notice if a straight comes instead. They'll be so relieved the flush didn't come they'll pay you off good with top pair or 2 pair. Some will try to bluff big on the river assuming you didn't hit your draw not realizing you did.

If the flush does come and you've read the other player correctly it's easy to bluff them out of the pot, which is usually a good size by the river.

If someone is on a flush draw they usually bet small or very big so it's easy to either see another card or get out early.

Anyone else with me on this or am I nuts? My experience is mostly with small stakes (.05/.10 online, 1/2 live) NLHE.

I guess if you got a read on a guy it's no problem. I would never do it multi-handed of course.

Yep... this is an example of what we see so often in the answers on this forum -- there are no absolutes. If you can read the table and play the players, you're way ahead of the game. The concern is if someone has a chance to note your play and plays the flush draw as if they have top pair. Then when the river brings the 3rd card to the flush, you're screwed... but that, too, is poker. At some point, it's gambling.

Originally Posted by KDS63

Yep... this is an example of what we see so often in the answers on this forum -- there are no absolutes. If you can read the table and play the players, you're way ahead of the game. The concern is if someone has a chance to note your play and plays the flush draw as if they have top pair. Then when the river brings the 3rd card to the flush, you're screwed... but that, too, is poker. At some point, it's gambling.

There's definitely risk involved, but the same could be said for chasing a flush - you could hit it but not with the nuts, or there could be a pair on the board. The thing I like is the bluff on the river with the 3rd card doesn't have to be big. It just has to look like a value bet. If I get reraised I can fold and didn't lose too much. Plus, even if they are tracking my play it could backfire because I'd play a nut flush draw the same way.

I'm not really a "play the players" guy yet - trying to get there though, little by little.

Ok, I guess I am alone on this one, which is just fine with me

23 in the situation you describe could be dead either way. Even without the K on the board you have to worry about the 6 giving someone a higher straight. Playing the bottom end of a straight draw is a good way to get trapped.