Community Cards

Community cards, also known as "board cards" or "the board," are the shared cards placed face-up in the middle of the table that all players can use to make their best five-card poker hand. In Texas Hold'em, there are five community cards dealt in three stages: the flop (three cards), the turn (one card), and the river (one card).

Key Points

  • Shared by all players
  • Five total cards
  • Three dealing stages
  • Board texture crucial

Dealing Stages

  • The Flop:
    • First three cards
    • Major decision point
    • Texture analysis
    • Range definition
  • The Turn:
    • Fourth community card
    • Draw completion
    • Pot building street
    • Range narrowing
  • The River:
    • Final card
    • Hand completion
    • Value betting
    • Bluff catching

Board Textures

  • Dry Boards:
    • Unconnected cards
    • No flush draws
    • High card strength
    • Range advantage
  • Wet Boards:
    • Connected cards
    • Flush possibilities
    • Draw heavy
    • Action potential

Example Scenarios

Dry Board: K♠7♣2♦ - Unconnected cards with no flush or straight draws. High card strength is important.

Wet Board: J♥T♥9♣ - Connected cards with flush and straight possibilities. Many drawing hands possible.

Strategic Implications

  • Hand Reading:
    • Range construction
    • Board interaction
    • Opponent tendencies
    • Betting patterns
  • Position Play:
    • Information advantage
    • Betting control
    • Range leverage
    • Bluff opportunities

Common Patterns

  • Paired Boards:
    • Full house possible
    • Trip strength
    • Kicker importance
    • Range compression
  • Monotone Boards:
    • Flush possibilities
    • Draw strength
    • Bluff potential
    • Range polarization

Common Mistakes

  • Texture misreading
  • Range confusion
  • Position ignorance
  • Draw overvaluing
  • Pattern missing
  • Sizing errors

Advanced Concepts

  • Blockers:
    • Hand combinations
    • Draw possibilities
    • Bluff selection
    • Range construction
  • Board Coverage:
    • Range advantage
    • Betting frequency
    • Protection needs
    • Bluff ratio

Understanding community cards and their implications is fundamental to poker success. Board texture analysis, position consideration, and proper range construction based on the community cards are crucial skills. Remember that while these cards are shared by all players, how they interact with hole cards and how players use them strategically makes the difference between winning and losing players.