Playing Overcards on the Flop
Anyone who’s played Limit Texas Holdem has been stuck in a situation where you’re on the flop with just two overcards. The problem is that this is a weak hand, and if you draw incorrectly, it can kill your game (even if you hit your hand).The simplest solution, of course, would be to always fold overcards. But this is not perfect poker, and to be a truly good player, you should be able to know the conditions that would allow you to draw to overcards.
Against sets, two pairs, or overpairs, you are drawing dead. If there is a chance that one of your outs could be what your opponent needs to complete a flush or two pair (particularly if one of your overcards is an ace), then draw. In fact, many smart poker players will play when they hold an ace as their side-card.
Draw when one of your outs may give an opponent the same pair but with a better kicker than yours, if it will give him the set, or complete a straight or flush which will end up outdrawing you on the river.
On those occasions when you choose to draw, you must have some degree of certainty that you are drawing to the best hand and that the pot justifies calling a bet.
The best flops for overcards are rainbow flops of all rags, like 8-5-2, 9-7-3, 7-3-2, and the like. But if you have connected flops, suited flops, or those containing a high pair (or full of high cards), then back off: these are danger signals. This strategy also works best if you are playing against less opponents.