Winning Texas Hold�em Strategy � Play On the Turn:

If you're a serious player, much of the time you won't even see the turn. You will have folded long before the dealer turns over this fourth community card. You've got to satisfy your tough requirements for starting hands and you must have seen a friendly flop to even get to the turn. If you've made it to the turn, you should be holding a good hand, a promising draw, or believe your bluff can pick up the pot. Warning: don't rely on bluffing in a low stakes game. It won't work because it doesn't cost much for the others to stay in. In most Texas Hold'em games the bet size increases on the turn betting round, so be sure your hand has value if you stay in.

Strategy after the turn is simpler than after the flop. If you feel you have the best hand, bet, or consider a checkraise with a monster hand. Only try a checkraise if you are positive another player will bet, otherwise you may end up giving your opponents a free card. Bet especially to keep others from drawing to a straight or flush. If the board isn't threatening, raise when you have top pair or better, or an overpair. For example, if you have a pair of jacks, and the highest card the board shows is a nine, best strategy is to bet. Watch out if the board pairs and an opponent raises or bets, you may be facing a full house. Another aspect of betting on the turn is to bet if you think your opponents will fold. Be careful if the board shows three (or four) cards of the same suit unless you've made your flush. If you have the top two pair, consider raising unless the board is scary.

Most of the time the turn won't help you. If you feel you don't have the best hand, check. If you still need a card to complete a straight or flush try to see the river card as inexpensively as possible. Realize that if you check on the turn you show weakness, which may affect your betting strategy on the river.

There's usually not much raising on the turn, but if you are raised on the turn you've run into a major problem. Be careful not to fold every time you are raised on the turn, but if you are clearly outgunned, fold. If all you have is a pair and there is a raise, consider folding even if it's a pair of pocket aces.

Visit my website for more about Texas Hold'em.