jb

Remember the admonition; "If you can’t bet it, muck it." Well, we haven't mucked our starting hand. So, we should probably consider a bet or a raise. Again this topic requires a long discussion. So much of the decision is based on the particular situation, that a general discussion is almost impossible. There are two rules we can implement to increase our expectation. Some hands Play real well against few opponents, but play real poorly against many opponents. Other hands need several callers to provide the pot odds for a positive expectaion.

After the Turn?

After the turn you have to make the same evaluations. Did it help, hurt, or was it neutral? You do have some additional information. You can usually tell if you have the best hand or which hands could be held by your opponents, that could beat you.

The turn helped. Do I bet it out immediately or slow play the hand hoping to trap more players? You only have one more opportunity to bet. If your hand is strong and you think your opponent will bet so you can check-raise then a check is in order. Otherwise you should bet it out. The turn didn't help. In this case the decisions are the same as the where for the flop. Did the turn help your opponent? Those aces are still out there.

Since there is a chance that the turn did not help someone else, you have another set of similar questions. Is your hand still the best hand? If so, bet or raise immediately.

Never give a free draw. Win the pot now. Is your hand beaten and can it improve to win? What are your pot odds? Do they warrant a call? Could you win the pot with a bluff? The wrong decision here will cost you money. The Turn hurt. When the turn doesn't help you, but could have easily helped your opponents. If you are playing pocket Kings and there is an Ace on the turn, your chance of winning have decreased. If a pair of kings turn or three to a flush turned, your pocket rockets might need to abort. If you don't have the best hand, you only have a small number of chips invested now. If you fold now that is a small loss. If you chase a stronger hand now against the pot odds, I would like to invite you to my game. Unless you have an excellent read on the opponents or pot odds indicate continued play is correct, FOLD. In the later rounds the bets double and bad decision made here can cost you significantly more. If you are not sure and the action is heavy after the turn, you might look for a reason to fold your hand.