The flop in poker: what it is and how to use community cards
The flop is the first three community cards revealed in Texas Hold’em after the pre-flop betting round. All players still in the hand can use them alongside their own private cards. Another betting round then begins. [1][2]
A Hand to Help You Understand the Flop
PokerNews illustrates a flush draw with two hearts in a player’s hand and two on the flop. To visualize that principle with specific cards, suppose your hole cards are A♥ 8♥, and the flop is K♥ 6♥ 2♣. [2]
You already have four hearts available: A♥ and 8♥ are your private cards; K♥ and 6♥ are on the board. A flush requires five cards of one suit, so another heart on the turn or river would complete this draw. The 2♣ is also part of the flop but does not contribute to the heart flush. [1][2]
The example shows what to look for when the flop appears: how the board connects with your cards. The two hearts on the flop are also available to opponents, but their private cards may give them different combinations. Identifying the draw does not, by itself, determine whether you should call a bet. [2]
Where the Flop Fits in the Sequence
| Stage | What appears on the board |
|---|---|
| Pre-flop | There are no community cards yet; players have received their private cards. |
| Flop | The first three community cards, followed by the second betting round. |
| Turn | The fourth community card, followed by another betting round. |
| River | The fifth and final community card, followed by the final betting round. |
The turn and river add cards to the three-card flop rather than replacing it. These names also locate the betting: an action “on the flop” occurs in the round associated with the first three community cards. [1][2][3]
What Can You Do in the Flop Betting Round?
Your options depend on whether anyone has already bet in this round. [3] Texas Hold’em rules — PokerStars.
If nobody has bet in this round:
- Check: pass the action without betting while remaining in the hand.
- Bet: make the first bet of the round.
If you are facing a bet:
- Call: add the amount needed to match the current bet.
- Raise: increase the amount of the bet.
- Fold: give up the hand.
What Does Flop Texture Tell You?
Texture describes the three exposed cards: whether they include cards of the same suit, connected ranks or a pair. In the example’s K♥ 6♥ 2♣ flop, there are two hearts; that feature helps you recognize a flush draw for a player holding two more hearts. The board does not reveal opponents’ private cards. [2]
The term flop is also used in Omaha, but the example and actions above concern Texas Hold’em. Hand-formation rules need to be checked for the variant being played. [2]
The Essentials to Remember
The flop reveals three shared cards after pre-flop. Look at how they connect with your two private cards. When it is your turn, check whether anyone has already bet in this round: that changes the available options. [2] PokerStars.
Sources
- [1] Poker slang: understand "take it down," "flop," and more terms — ge. ge Editorial Team, November 16, 2023.
- [2] Flop Definition | What is the Flop in Poker? — PokerNews.
- [3] Poker made simple! Learn the game’s basic terms — Copag.
- Texas Hold’em rules — PokerStars.
1 hour ago 
