Floating Strategy in Poker
What Is Floating?
Floating is a sophisticated poker move where you call a bet on one street with the intention of Bluffing on a later street, rather than because you have a strong hand. The strategy exploits opponents who make Continuation Bets with weak hands but give up when called. By floating The Flop, you put yourself in a position to take the pot away on the turn or river when your opponent shows weakness.
When to Float
Floating works best against opponents who continuation bet frequently but do not follow through on later streets. The ideal floating situation involves position, as you want to act after your opponent on subsequent streets. Good floating spots include when the board is unlikely to have helped the Pre-Flop raiser, when you have some backdoor equity, and when your opponent has shown a pattern of giving up after being called.
Choosing Hands for Floating
While any two cards can technically be used to float, hands with some equity make better candidates. Backdoor flush draws, overcards, and small pairs that might improve are ideal floating hands. These hands give you fallback equity if your bluff does not work.
Hands with absolutely no equity should generally not be used for floating unless you have a very strong read on your opponents tendencies.
Executing the Float Play
Call the flop bet in position with your chosen floating hand. On the turn, if your opponent checks, bet approximately two-thirds of the pot. Most opponents who are continuation betting with air will fold at this point.
If your opponent bets the turn as well, reassess the situation. A double barrel from your opponent usually indicates genuine strength, and continuing the float becomes much more risky.
Defending Against Floats
To defend against floating, occasionally double barrel the turn with your continuation bet bluffs. This puts floaters in a difficult spot as they must decide whether you have a real hand or are simply continuing your bluff. You can also check-raise the turn occasionally when you suspect a float.
Being aware that opponents may float you helps you adjust your continuation betting strategy appropriately.
