There is no rule or recipe for becoming a big winner in poker, but some easy-to-execute moves can make a big difference in your game. One of them is the Float.
Floating is a move that can turn the tables when we are attacked by our opponent's continuation bet. By calling the flop, you will be in the perfect position to take the pot when he shows weakness on the turn.
Floating is an intermediate move that requires an understanding of what type of opponent you are dealing with. If you can master this technique, you can win many more pots after the flop.
After all, what is float?
Simply and directly, floating the flop is calling a bet with the intention of stealing the pot when your opponent checks the turn.
Why do it?
To defend against a continuation bet. Players will make a lot of continuation bets, with a wide range of hands. You should not surrender every time your opponent makes one of these bets. Instead of raising, we can gain more information on the turn when our opponent checks.
Against whom?
You should only float against TAG players who make a lot of continuation bets.
When?
Only when you are in position against your opponent.
Where?
It can be used effectively in all types of Texas Hold'em games, but is best used in deeper stack games.
Floating the flop correctly
Floating the flop is a bluffing technique. It is very important to understand this and know how and why to do it. If done poorly, you could end up burning money.
You are only bluffing when you believe that your cards are worse than your opponent's. If you believe that you have the best hand, then you would be betting for value on the turn.
Since you are bluffing, the conditions must be right for you to have the best chance of success with your move.
Below you will see the most important factors for success in performing the float:
Be in position;
The pot must be heads-up;
The opponent is a tight aggressive player who makes a lot of continuation bets and can fold hands when the opponent (you) shows a lot of strength.
It's important to be in position when floating the flop because you need that extra bit of information that your opponent will give you on the turn.
We know that our opponent will bet with good and bad hands on the flop through the continuation bet, and if he checks the turn, we know that he may have a weak hand. However, if he bets again on the turn, we have to think carefully and reevaluate our plan.
It is important to be in a heads-up pot, as the more opponents in the pot, the lower our chances of getting the bluff right.
The float is nothing more than a well-told story. Calling the flop shows that we have a decent hand. In a multi-way pot, calling the flop doesn't necessarily mean that, so a good opponent might notice and our float will lose credibility.
Strategy tip
If your opponent tries to spoil your plans by betting the turn, all may not be lost. Many aggressive players will try to second barrel the turn, but will end up check/folding the river.
If you believe you are up against an aggressive player who may bet turns as a bluff, you may want to consider raising the turn. Calling the flop and raising the turn is an extremely strong line and often forces good players to fold marginal hands.
This is an advanced move and should only be used by those who understand their opponents' tendencies and their characteristics as a player very well.
Float only against tight aggressive players
Being in position and being in a heads-up pot are two important things to consider, but so is paying attention to the type of opponent you're dealing with.
Floating doesn't work against players who raise preflop and make continuation bets only with good hands, after all, they won't fold their hands.
Floating also doesn't work against loose/passive calling station players. They will call our turn bet often with marginal hands.
It is much harder to successfully float against hyper aggressive players. Look for players who will only fire on the flop and slow down on the turn. If you are up against players who will fire on the flop, turn, and river, floating will be difficult.
Article translated and adapted from: 10 more Essentials hold'em moves: floating the flop
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