HU --- how aggressive on a 8 or 9 out draw

[Zybomb]

IMO folding 50% of the time to a 1/2 pot sized bet with a 9 out draw (or more with overs) is too tight (at least for me). While a flush is obvious to spot, if you are in position, you can still call the bet on the turn, and if he checks the river make a small value bet which should be called as well and still profit on your made flush.

For example if the flop comes Kh6h4s and I lead out the flop with KQ and you call. Just because the turn comes 9h, doesnt mean Im going to check now and possibily give you a free card for a 4th heart which I have none of. Or even if I do, Im likely to call a small turn bet -- or even if you check back a river bet.... so i feel there still is more money to be made, just not a MONSTER pot, like there is a possibility for with a straight (especially against newer players)

I also think that raising on your draw and always taking the free card if you miss the turn is a mistake too for a few reasons. 1) it will give away your hand and people will catch up on this quickly. 2) it limits the action you will get when you raise the flop and then bet the turn (not necessarily a bad thing) 3) It doesnt give you another way to take the pot down if you miss your draw.

From the responses so far, it seems I play my drawing hands more aggressively than others (dunno if thats a good thing or a bad thing). LEts see what other responses come up...

[nflchad]

I still believe that flush draws tend to win small pots or lose large ones, while straight draws lose small pots and win larger ones. I also feel that the difference in the levels that you and I play likely come into both of our positions on the correct way to play the hand, for example at 25NL not many people will notice you taking free cards a lot.

[badblood44]

I too think that the straight draws are the most profitable, ESPECIALLY the double belly buster ones. For example, you're holding 68s and the flop is 47T. Flush draws are way too obvious in my book.

To compensate, I like the semi-bluff on the flop with a flush draw and a check on the turn if you actually made it - nut flushes only. You have to push hard with small card flushes as a 4th of the same suit on the river is often times bad news.

The other cards on the board matter too. If your opponent has TPTK for example, he'll be pushing draws off pots with proper betting - if he's good. If you choose to semi-bluff with a raise on either the flop or turn, be prepared to lay it down to a big re-raise.

It also depends on the player too. Are they a weak lead-out post flop? If so, hammer him with a raise.

[Zybomb]

interesting response (nflchad) and post (badblood) (TP im still waitin on you)

It seems overall though I may overvalue a flush draw (or at least value it more than you guys)

Im gunna start a seperate thread with a specific scenario dealing with potential opponent flushes, Im interested how people play these.