The Float Play

The Float Play by Icemonkey9

The float play is essentially an advanced bluffing technique in no-limit Texas Hold'em that extends from the flop to the turn (or at least, 2 betting rounds). The main theory behind this strategy is to make the villain in the hand (your opponent) think you have a stronger hand from the flop and turn bets and demonstrating enough strength so that they fold. The basic float play involves you usually making a flat call (either in or out of position) to the villain's bet on the flop. This is usually done against someone that is constantly continuation betting no matter what happens (make sure you check this stat). The good news for you is that this play can be done with any hand, especially one that isn't worth anything, but if you have something like mid-pair this can be a great way to take down a pot. Let's use our replayer and take a look at great float play I pulled off playing 100nl (No Limit $0.50/$1 blinds) on Pokerstars ... in this situation the villain here is a very tight player and most likely coming in with a good hand. Let's take a look...

I remember this table was 3betting everyone who raise from early position, so I limp-called. The flop isn't a great one for me, with the Q on the flop. Chances are he has two over cards in AK, or hit his Q, or has something like 99 or JJ. The big tip in pulling this off was that over the course of over 100 hands he had been cbetting (continuation betting) 100% of the time! So with his cbet I flat called and a *perfect* scare card came on the turn - another 8 - meaning that if I had called with midpair (believable) I now have trips. Since I was out of position I decide to get gutsy and make a strong bet as if I did hit trips, and after tanking (taking his time) for about 20 seconds, he let it go. Now we have to remember that this is not the optimal float play but one that you will find yourself in nonetheless. If you are just adding this to your arsenal then remember that being in position greatly advances the chance of you pulling this play off, and that this really only works in a Heads Up situation.

This is the more classic form of the float play. Our hero has a decent hand and makes the call on the button and plays his position more than his cards. The flop comes all small and our villain continuation bets, chances are with two overcards himself or at most a pocket pair between 7 and 10. Our hero flat calls, another brick shows up at the turn, and our villain checks. That's our big green flashing sign to GO and bet. Our hero bets, and our villan folds - float play executed. Remember that if you are trying out the float play to really only try it in late position. You really need to have good solid stats on your opponent and know that her or she likes to either donk bet (meaning they bet on the flop when they only called your raise preflop) or continuation bet a lot (meaning >80% of the time). This play will work great against your typical grinding tight-aggressive player, while people that tend to just call all the time (fish) will unknowingly sniff out your bluff. This is also a play that you shouldn't be trying all the time, and not to let it get to your head once you've pulled it off successfully - otherwise you will find yourself simply adding to pots that you are going to lose.