4 Types of Postflop Play
Lesson Goal
Build a clear hierarchy for understanding postflop play: core structure → branches → actions.
Main Types of Postflop Play
| Type | Math | Goal | Equity |
|---|---|---|---|
| Value | Equity | Earn profit through equity advantage | > 50% vs continuation range |
| Bluff | Fold Equity | Make opponent fold without showdown | < 30% vs continuation range |
| Pot Control | Equity | Reach showdown in a small pot | 30–55% |
| Draw-Postflop | Equity + Fold Equity | Realize hand potential + apply pressure | hybrid model |
Note: The type can change from street to street (flop → turn → river).
Value Postflop Subtypes
- Straightforward value extraction: active value betting
- Slowplay: conceal hand strength to extract maximum later
- Thin value: small bets against weak hands
Bluff Postflop Subtypes
- Built on fold equity; the most complex and least intuitive category
- Requires precise calculation, board understanding, opponent profiling, and sizing control
Pot Control Postflop Subtypes
- Passive: avoiding aggression to reach showdown
- Protective: betting/raising to defend against draws or opponent aggression
Draw-Postflop Subtypes
- Aggressive: leveraging fold equity + equity
- Passive: realizing equity without building the pot
Types of Postflop Bets
Bet Terminology
| Name | Description |
|---|---|
| C-bet | Continuation bet from the previous street's aggressor |
| Delay bet | Delayed C-bet (e.g., after checking flop, betting turn) |
| Float | Calling without a made hand intending to attack after opponent checks later |
| Double Float | Calling flop and turn intending to bluff river |
| Probe bet | Out-of-position bet after missed C-bet |
| Donk bet | Out-of-position bet into the previous street's aggressor |
Bets by Purpose
Value Bet
Bet to profit from equity advantage.
- Used when equity > 50%
- Can take any bet form: donk, delay, etc.
Bluff Bet
Bet to make opponent fold without showdown.
- Fold equity more important than hand equity
- Requires board and range understanding
Info Bet
Bet to gather information or conceal hand strength.
- Often used out of position (example: QQ on K93)
- Small sizing to avoid capping your range
Block Bet
Small bet (20–30%) to cheaply reach showdown and avoid large opponent bet.
- Used out of position, often on the river
- Balanced with provocative bets
Provocative Bet
Bet designed to provoke a bluff raise from opponent's weak hands.
- You hold a strong hand but bet small to induce mistakes
Protection Bet
Bet against many possible draws on board.
- Hand equity ~45–60%
- Example: flop/turn bet to prevent opponent from realizing draw equity for free
Freeze Bet (Protective Raise)
- Min-raise on turn against a probe/donk or after losing initiative
- Should not be used against hands likely to go all-in
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