The Perils of Four-Flushing in Poker

Four-flushing is a term used in poker to describe a situation where a player makes a large bet on a hand that they think is strong, but then discovers that their opponent has an even stronger hand. The term "four-flushing" comes from the idea that the player's bet (or "flush") has been trumped by their opponent's even stronger hand.

For example, if a player raises preflop with a pair of aces and their opponent calls with a pocket king, the player may think they have the best hand and make a large bet on the flop. However, if their opponent reveals a hidden ace or a higher kicker, they have "four-flushed" the player and won the pot.

Four-flushing is often used as a metaphor for situations where someone's plans or expectations are thwarted by an unexpected event or revelation. In poker, it can be a costly mistake to make a large bet with a weak hand, only to discover that your opponent has an even stronger hand.