How to play the turn in poker
The turn is the fourth community card. Bets are usually bigger now, and with two streets left to bet, the turn is where pots grow large. The key decisions are whether to keep betting (double barrel), check for pot control, or give up.
Keep betting when
Section titled “Keep betting when”- You have a strong hand and worse hands or draws will call. See value betting.
- You have a good draw that can win now or improve on the river (semi-bluff).
- The turn card is a scare card for your opponent’s range, such as an ace or king after you raised preflop.
Slow down when
Section titled “Slow down when”- You have a medium hand (one pair, weak kicker) and your opponent called the flop: check to keep the pot small. This is called pot control.
- The turn completes obvious draws and your opponent has been calling.
- Your opponent is a calling station: don’t bluff twice. See player types.
Turn sizing
Section titled “Turn sizing”About 2/3 of the pot is a common turn size. With 100 big blinds, flop and turn bets of about 2/3 pot set up an all-in on the river with a strong hand. See bet sizing.
When your opponent bets the turn
Section titled “When your opponent bets the turn”- A turn bet after calling the flop often means real strength at low stakes.
- Use pot odds: with one card to come, a flush draw hits about 20% of the time.
- Think about their range: which hands bet the turn this way?
Probe bets
Section titled “Probe bets”If the preflop raiser checks back the flop, you can bet the turn out of position to take the pot. Their check often shows weakness. See donk bet.
Also read flop texture and river play.
What is the turn in poker?
Section titled “What is the turn in poker?”The fourth community card, followed by the third betting round.
What is a double barrel?
Section titled “What is a double barrel?”Betting again on the turn after a c-bet on the flop.
What is pot control?
Section titled “What is pot control?”Checking with a medium-strength hand to keep the pot small.
How often does a flush draw hit on the river?
Section titled “How often does a flush draw hit on the river?”About 20% of the time with one card to come.