Hoping for the Flush

  A flush is a wonderful thing, not as good as unexpectedly finding Rachel Welch in your bed wearing nothing but a cheesecake and a pair of forks, but a flush is still pretty good. Usually most people are not lucky enough to find a pair of hearts in their hand after the deal, and another three showing up on the flop, so in most cases a flush has to be built with the same sort of loving care that Burger King builds a Whopper. This means that the cheaper you see the next cards, the better off you are.  The best place to play for a flush is from a late position. If you are starting from an early position you are at the mercy of people betting after you. This is not the best place for somebody whose hand has nothing more going for it than potential.  Let's start with the assumption that your hand is four cards into a five card flush after the flop. If you need the turn and river to go your way to complete your flush, the best move is to fold.  From your late position you will raise. This will express a confidence that your cards simply can't back up, and the bluff may give some at the table pause. The best case scenario is that everyone folds, but that probably won't happen. The next best thing you can hope for is that your raise is only called. If it is re-raised, fold.  After the turn, chances are pretty good that your opponent(s) will simply check and allow you to see the river card for free. Your investment in a chance to see the turn and river is a couple of small bets instead of a bidding war for the right see what wonders the deck has in store for you. This gives you an opportunity to win, and that is all anyone can ask for.  Good Luck!