Explanation of Backdoor
There are two main varieties of backdoor draws: backdoor flush draws and backdoor straight draws. Let's consider a sample hand in No Limit Hold’em that illustrates both types.
Board: 9 ♣ 5 ♥ 2 ♦
Hand: T ♥ J ♥
To someone unfamiliar with poker, it might seem like we’ve completely missed the flop, but in reality, we have both a backdoor straight draw and a backdoor flush draw present.
When we refer to a backdoor draw, we mean that there are two consecutive cards available on the turn and river that could allow us to complete either a straight or a flush.
Skilled players often take it a step further by differentiating between the various forms of backdoor draws. Unlike beginner players, who may simply recognize the possibility of a backdoor draw without analyzing its potential, experts critically assess the quality of their draws. As a practical exercise, let's evaluate the strength of the draw mentioned earlier, considering the following points.
1. How powerful is our potential backdoor flush?
2. How many backdoor gutshot outs can we obtain?
3. What are the chances of getting backdoor open-ended straight draws?
4. Are any of our backdoor straight outs the nuts?
5. Are our backdoor draws based on two cards, or can they be completed with just one?
Now, let’s delve into the answers for these questions relating to our earlier example. The same analysis should be applied to any backdoor draw you encounter.
1. To begin, our backdoor flush draw leads to a fourth-nut hand, specifically a jack-high flush. However, with certain turn cards (like the Q♥), we might actually be looking at a third or even second-nut flush.
2. We have two specific cards remaining in the deck that can provide us with a backdoor gutshot (the King and the Seven).
3. Additionally, there are two other cards that can create an open-ended straight draw for us (the Queen and the Eight).
4. Every one of the four cards that could give us a straight on the turn is to the nuts.
5. In this case, all of our backdoor draws are categorized as two-card draws.
Let's consider a different hand as an example for the previous point.
Board: T ♥ 9 ♣ 5 ♠
Hand: J ♠ 4 ♠
Here, we notice that our backdoor straight possibilities remain unchanged compared to our earlier hand. We still hold two backdoor gutshots and two additional backdoor options. However, it would be incorrect to assume that the strength of our backdoor straight draws is the same in both examples. open ended straight draws 1. One-card backdoor straight draws tend to be much more exposed when they complete. For instance, a one-card backdoor straight draw requires the board to show a four-to-straight format (like T95QK). This makes it very apparent to our opponent that we could have the straight since we only need a single hole card of a particular rank.
The key differences are as follows.
2. The likelihood that our straight-draw options are the nuts decreases. In the previous example, none of our backdoor straights create the nut straight. When we hit a straight using the runner-runner method, a higher straight will always be a possibility.
As a general principle, two-card backdoor draws are invariably stronger than one-card backdoor draws. Furthermore, nut backdoor draws are consistently more powerful than non-nut ones.
Example of Backdoor in a Sentence -> We placed a raise before the flop and found ourselves with a backdoor straight draw on the flop.
Incorporating Backdoor into Your Poker Strategy
Typically, it’s eye-opening for beginning players when they first start considering backdoor draws. Many casual players are so focused on the immediate type of hand that appears on the flop that they overlook the concept of backdoor equity.
The reality is, a solid backdoor draw can significantly affect the overall profitability of a hand. Some players may not grasp this right away, as the presence of a backdoor draw does not substantially enhance pot equity. For instance, having a backdoor flush typically contributes merely about 3% to the overall pot equity of the hand.
The true advantage lies in the ability to play turns aggressively when we manage to pick up a backdoor draw. If we make a continuation bet on the flop with a backdoor flush, there's a good chance we can attempt another bet on the turn 20% of the time, having around 18% pot equity to make our flush by the river.
Because of this, proficient players carefully assess backdoor equity when determining which hands are worth pursuing post-flop. This evaluation is crucial whether they're the pre-flop aggressor or the caller. Additionally, skilled players will devise a plan for the turn depending on the cards that come up.
Consider a scenario where we have the chance to make a continuation bet in position on this flop texture. We might choose to make a c-bet on the Q♥9♥, yet opt to check the Q♦9♦, as the latter lacks good backdoor equity. Before we decide to fire on the Q♥9♥, we should think through the turn cards that would be advantageous for a second bet.
Example
Board: 8 ♥ 4 ♣ 2 ♠
Hand: Q ♥ 9 ♥
In this situation, we can continue our betting with any heart, Queen, Nine, Ten, or Jack. These cards provide us with either a flush draw, a top pair, or a nut gutshot.
Similar strategic considerations apply when we find ourselves as the cold-caller. If our opponent places a continuation bet against us, it becomes essential to possess some weaker, unpaired hands that we can "float" with. Naturally, we should prefer the marginal hands with backdoor equity over those lacking it. If we receive a continuation bet out of position on the previously mentioned board, we might opt to check-call the flop with plans to check-raise for any heart, Ten, or Jack we encounter on the turn.
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See Also
Equity , Barrel , Continuation Bet , Flop , Turn , River , Draw , Preflop , Hold’em , Draw , Flush , Straight , Nuts , Pair , Gutshot , Runner-runner