No Limit Holdem - On the Turn and the River

Poker Hand Evaluation

It is important to evaluate your hand as the game progresses in No Limit Texas Holdem. Just because you decided to play your hand before the flop, it doesn't mean you should go all the way to the showdown. You won't win more money by betting more; you will only lose more if you don't fold beaten hands. Beginners should get this into their heads, as it can be hard to give up a great starting hand. Especially those high pocket pairs that we all love.

Questions to Ask

On every street, examine your hand, the board and the poker tells you get from your opponents. Questions you should ask yourself include:

- Did the last street improve my hand? - How much does it cost me to stay in the game? - What are the chances someone has a better hand than me? - What kind of hand could they be holding? - If I am on a drawing hand, what are the chances of making that hand on the next street(s)? - If I bet/raise, how will that be read?

Advice for the Turn and River

On the turn:

- If someone bets big or goes all-in, and you have only middle pair or a low two pair, do not call unless doing so would only risk a small part of your chip stack. Also, if it's a chronic bluffer, it could be another bluff.

- A very strong bet here can scare off your opponents. Bet modestly if you want to keep them in the hand. Someone may be on a weak drawing hand and a big bet would make them fold.

- If you made a great hand on the turn, DON'T SHOW IT if you want them to stay in the game! Be as calm as possible. This applies to all situations.

- If you have a great but not perfect hand, it is often better not to slow play it. Don't risk someone else making a better hand. Say, if you have KQ and the board is 10J59, go for it before a Queen shows up and someone with an Ace gets the nuts.

- If the odds are good for your drawing hand and a tight player seems undecided, it is fitting to bluff them. Tight players are vulnerable in the middle of the game when on "decision hands." Loose players are less likely to fold late.

On the river:

- Don't bet on the river with anything less than a great hand. If the pot has gotten really big, you can be sure the others have strong hands.

- If it's obvious the final board has helped no one, bet just enough to make them call.

- If you have the nuts and there is an aggressor farther behind you, bet to the weaker players and let the aggressor raise for you two. You can re-raise, and chances are he or she will re-raise to you too or go all-in, which is what you want. But you get the most money by tricking the rest into calling you first.

- Low suited connectors that make a flush can be second-best hand. Beware of an all-in bet on the river as that player may have the nuts or a higher flush.

Finally, be prepared to give up a hand anytime. All players get dealt the same hands over time. WHAT COUNTS IS WHAT YOU DO WITH WINNING HANDS AND WHAT YOU DO WITH LOSING HANDS. That's the difference.