Post-flop: How to Play Made Hands on the Turn
Introduction
In this article
- finding the right line for the turn
- how to react to donk bets and raises
After having learned the basic concepts of playing with made hands in the Evaluating Made Hands on the Flop article, you will now learn how to continue playing on the turn.
You will learn when to make a further bet on the turn, and how to react to donk bets and raises. We will look at examples of different concepts put to practice to give you a better feel for playing on the turn in general.
Which line should you play?
You've seen this graphic before in Evaluating Made Hands on the Flop
It is also used for playing on the turn. Raise/cap with a draw for value is no longer an option, however, since you will hardly ever have enough outs to hit on the river. You can, of course, raise with a draw as a semi-bluff, but we will not discuss this move in this article.
Your decision depends just as heavily on the strength of your hand on the turn as on the flop. However, you have to be more critical when asking yourself if you really do have the best hand. Some players may have paid to see the flop out of curiosity, but you will almost always find hands with some kind of strength, be it a draw or a made hand, once you make it to the turn. Keep this in mind when making your decision.
You are certain you have the best hand
The decision is easy in this case. Keep betting/raising (cap)! Just remember that you need at least two pair (and sometimes more!) before you can cap on the turn.
You probably have the best hand
You think you are ahead in most cases and bet for value and to protect your hand. Deciding to raise isn't as easy as on the flop, however, and depends heavily on how aggressive your opponent is.
You can usually bet/3-bet with top pair or an overpair on the flop, but should only continue to play such hands passively on the turn. You will learn how to evaluate your hand after a raise later in this article.
You could have the best hand
You see yourself ahead often enough to justify a bet, mainly to protect what you have. There are a lot of danger cards you don't want to see; you're going to make your opponent pay if he wants to see them. You are probably behind if you get raised, however, and only continue to play based on odds and outs.
You do not have the best hand
Your hand isn't good enough to win many showdowns. Protection doesn't matter any more. You'd like to see if the river helps as cheapy as possible. Your play is based purely on odds and outs.
Note: This article (and the graphic) addresses play with initiative!
When to bet the turn with initiative
The main difference between the flop and the turn: the bets are now twice as large.
You are now playing for Big Bets. Don't throw your money away!
You have to play tighter on the turn; the bets are now twice as large and the pot odds are much worse than they were on the flop. It's easier to invest a SB on the flop than a BB on the turn with a weak draw and the chance for a free card. You have to be more careful on the turn and ask yourself if your hand is really worth a Big Bet.
Take what is yours!
There is no reason not to make value bets. If you were ahead on the flop, you are usually still ahead on the turn, but we will say more to that in the next section. You also want to get money out of draws.
Your opponents can't fold to a check!
On the other hand, the poor pot odds make your opponents play tighter, as well, which you can take advantage of in the right situations. If there is a decent chance that all opponents will fold, even those who could have a better hand, you should bet.
If you can answer the questions in the following checklist positively, you should bet.
- Could weaker made hands call?
- Could better made hands fold?
- Do you want to make your opponent pay if he is on a draw (which you have beat on the turn)?
Pre-flop: Hero is BB with A
T
6 folds, CO calls, SB completes, Hero raises, CO calls, SB calls
Flop: (6 SB) T
, 9, 4
(3 players)
SB checks, Hero bets, CO raises, SB folds, Hero 3-bets, CO calls
Turn: (6BB) K
(2 players)
Hero ???
Could weaker made hands call?
The king is, of course, a scare card, but you could still very well be ahead. The CO raises with a lot of hands (starting with bottom pair) on the flop.
You are ahead against a lot of these hands. You want to get value from weaker hands and protect your hand (against a 5 outer middle pair, for example). He could also check behind with a lot of made hands to get to a cheap showdown.
Don't forget what happened on the flop: You 3-bet and still have initiative. Checking on the turn indicates that you have a hand and don't want to fold - you would have used the king as a scare card to bluff, otherwise. You would lose value by checking and, therefore, choose to bet.
Could better hands fold?
Very unlikely. JJ+ and top pair are the hands that could beat you. The pre-flop action makes pocket pairs unlikely (he played limp/complete) and he will hardly ever fold a king that just hit top pair.
Do you want to make your opponent pay for a draw?
This is a pretty dry board. 2 OESDs are possible, as well as gutshots and overcards. There is no immediate need to protect against a draw, so protection should not be your main argument for a bet.
You generally bet on the turn when you believed to have the best hand on the flop. There are exceptions to the rule, but they are rare.
We will now look at a situation in which you could make an exception to the rules.
Pre-flop: Hero is SB with J J
MP2 raises, 2 folds, BU 3-bets, Hero caps, BB folds, MP2 calls, BU calls.
Flop: (13 SB) T, 9, 4 (3 players)
Hero bets, MP2 calls, BU calls
Turn: (8 BB) A (3 players)
Hero ???
You will usually be ahead with your overpair on the flop; you can even be pretty sure that you have the best hand, since no one raised on the flop; slowplaying a monster in such a large pot would be unusual. Your opponents will usually have smaller pairs or overcards, usually an ace. The turn card could be bad news.
Could weaker made hands call?
Weaker made hands will rarely call. Smaller pairs that picked up a flush draw on the turn might stay in the hand, or perhaps a T that was played passively on the flop and still has 5 outs for two pair.
Could better hands fold?
Very unlikely. QQ and KK might not feel too comfortable with the A on the board, but there aren't many players that would fold in such a pot.
Do you want to make your opponent pay for a draw?
Draws are quite possible; even a single could be enough for an opponent to call. Gutshots with KQ or KJ will want to see the river, as well.
Question 3 was the only one you could answer positively; too little to justify a bet. You can't really see yourself as being ahead, so there is no point in making draws pay. The last thing you want to face is a raise: you won't be able to fold your flush draw and will only end up investing more than necessary.
You check/call. This is the best way to get to the river as cheaply as possible.
The lesson learned? You may have to change your tactic on the turn depending on the card that is dealt. However, these are exceptional cases - you should, in general, make a contibet on the turn when you saw yourself ahead on on the flop.
How to react to a donk bet
Pre-flop: Hero is Button with A A
1 fold, UTG+1 calls, 2 folds, MP2 calls, 1 fold, CO raises, Hero 3-bets, 3 folds, MP2 calls, CO calls
Flop: (11,5 SB) 6, 8, K (3 players)
MP2 checks, CO bets, Hero raises, MP2 calls, CO 3-bets, Hero caps, MP2 calls, CO calls
Turn: (11,75 BB) Q (3 players)
MP2 checks, CO bets, Hero ???
You get a lot of action with aces before and on the flop. Then the CO donks on the turn after you capped on the flop. The turn card could have completed a flush draw or otherwise hit within his range.
He could have a flush, top two pair, or even a set. You can't assume you will be ahead on average. MP2 is still in the hand, as well, and you can't be sure you have him beat, either. Calling is your best option.
Turn: (11,75 BB) 2 (3 players)
MP2 checks, CO bets, Hero ???
This time a blank shows up on the turn, but you still can't see yourself ahead of the CO. You can pretty much rule out a flush draw. He could donk with top pair, but he will usually have a stronger hand in such a situation. You continue to play passively in this example, as well.
How to react to a raise behind you
This decision isn't as easy on the turn as it is on the flop. You often call a raise on the flop, since you are getting good odds and your opponents can be on a wide range of hands. Calling a raise on the turn requires more. Why? The bets are now twice as large and there is only one card left to help that can help a semi-bluff.
A raise could be a bluff when there are few opponents in the hand (heads up play is, in part, much more aggressive), and there are no callers between you and the bluffer.
We will now take a look at the different kinds of raises you can face on the turn and look at the right course of action for each hand category.
Villain 1 checks, Villain 2 checks, Hero bets, Villain 3 raises
Villain 3 may well be bluffing. There are no callers between you and he is in position. The two checks indicate marginal hands for Villain 1 and 2, which will probably fold to a bluff raise. Still, you should give Villain 3 a strong made hand, top pair or better.
Hero bets, Villain raises (2 players behind)
This raise is less likely to be a bluff. He is out of position and two others are still to act. He is also raising an oop bet.
Hero bets, Villain 1 calls, Villain 2 calls, Villain 3 raises
You can pretty much rule out a bluff. Your bet with three opponents indicates strength, and so do their calls. Even a dumb player knows a bluff is not the best idea in this situation. You can be sure that he has a very strong hand.
Villain 1 checks, Hero bets, Villain 2 calls, Villain 3 calls, Villain 1 check/raises
This time we will go one step further. We just saw Villain 3 raise in position against 3 opponents; now we see Villain 1 check/raising out of position against 3 opponents. He will almost always have a very strong hand, or even a monster.
Let's take a look at the different hand categories.
You will usually have the best hand on the turn and will almost always 3-bet.
Pre-flop: Hero is BB with Q , K
2 folds, CO raises, BU calls, SB folds, Hero calls.
Flop: (6.50 SB) T , A , J (3 players)
Hero checks, CO bets, BU calls, Hero raises, CO calls, BU calls.
Turn: (5.75 BB) A (3 players)
Hero bets, CO raises, BU calls, Hero ?
You hit the nut straight on the flop. Then the CO raises you and the BU cold calls on the turn. You are in Situation B from above. You clearly have the BU beat, the only question is what the CO might have. Still, you can see yourself ahead most of the time.
You can rule out a full house, since he didn't start any action on a draw heavy board on the flop. He probably has trips; you should 3-bet for value and protection.
You will usually be ahead with such a hand and shouldn't let a raise scare you.
Pre-flop: Hero is MP2 with Q , A
Hero raises, MP3 calls, 3 folds, BB calls.
Flop: (6.50 SB) J , A , A (3 players)
BB checks, Hero bets, MP3 calls, BB calls.
Turn: (4.75 BB) 2 (3 players)
BB checks, Hero bets, MP3 raises, BB calls, Hero ?
MP3 raises your 2nd barrel on the turn and the BB cold calls. This time you are in Situation A. MP3 probably has a strong hand after only calling on the flop. He probably would have raised on the flop with a draw - the blank on the turn doesn't present the best opportunity for a (semi-)bluff.
However, you have a very strong hand yourself. Better hands like AK, AJ, A2, JJ and 22 aren't likely given the pre-flop action, which leaves A2 and 22 (and he probably would have folded 22 on the flop). He probably has a baby ace, which is why you 3-bet.
Pre-flop: Hero is MP3 with K , Q
UTG+1 calls, 2 folds, MP2 calls, Hero raises, 5 folds, BB calls, UTG+1 calls, MP2 calls
Flop: (8.5 SB) Q , K , 7 (4 players)
BB bets, UTG+1 calls, MP2 calls, Hero raises, BB calls, UTG+1 calls, MP2 calls
Turn: (6,23 BB) 7 (4 players)
BB checks, UTG+1 checks, MP2 checks, Hero bets, BB calls, UTG+1 calls, MP2 raises, Hero ?
You hit top two pair on the flop, then the board pairs on the turn. You are in Situation D.
MP2 check/raises in a 4 handed pot, a sign of a very strong hand. You pretty much have to give him the 7. You can't 3-bet, all you can do is call down to the showdown.
Even if you are, in fact, behind, you still have 4 outs for a full house, which makes this turn call easy. There is also a (slight) chance that MP2 is raising with a weaker hand (like Kx). You may, in fact, have the best hand and should invest one more bet on the river.
Overpairs and top pairs aren't as good as they may seem at first glance. 3-betting is rarely profitable.
Pre-flop: Hero is SB with A A
1 fold, UTG+1 calls, 2 folds, MP2 raises, 1 fold, CO calls, 1 fold, Hero 3-bets, 3 folds, MP2 calls, CO calls
Flop: (11 SB) 7, 9, K (3 players)
Hero bets, MP2 raises, CO calls, Hero 3-bets, MP2 calls, CO calls
Turn: (10 BB) J (3 players)
Hero bets, MP2 raises, CO folds, Hero ?
MP2 raises after heavy action on the flop and your second barrel on the turn. You are in Situation B. The CO folds and you are playing heads up. MP2 could raise with a lot of hands on the flop, he most likely has a hand between bottom and top pair. The board is draw heavy and he could be semi-bluffing with a flush or straight draw. The straight draw is relatively unlikely, though, since he tried to isolate a limper before the flop; his range is probably made up of high cards.
His raise on the turn indicates a hand that probably has you beat. You showed a lot of strength before and after the flop, so he won't be expecting a fold. He is sure to have a strong top pair at the very least, but it's probably something even better. He's likely to have a hand like KJ or a set with 99, 77 or JJ that he slowplayed on the draw heavy board. You can't expect to have the best hand and should call down to the showdown.
Be aware that folding is not an option. Even if you are behind, you still have 8 outs against a hand like KJ.
Pre-flop: Hero is CO with A 2
6 folds, Hero raises, Button calls, 1 fold, BB calls
Flop: (6,5 SB) A, T, 7 (3 players)
BB checks, Hero bets, Button calls, BB calls
Turn: (4,75 BB) 3 (3 players)
BB checks, Hero bets, Button raises, BB calls, Hero ?
This time the BU raises after only calling before and on the flop. You are in Situation A. Whereas you had any top pair beat in the last example, you now have the weakest kicker with your top pair. The BU would have to be bluffing with a very marginal hand for you to have him beat (he could be semi-bluffing given the very draw heavy board). However, you have no real reason to assume he is bluffing and will usually be behind. You would even have to fold top pair with 10:1 pot odds, since you can only give yourself 2 or 3 outs.
The main reason for folding in this example is your weak kicker. Turn raises are rarely bluffs; you have to give your opponent at least top pair or better, which makes your aces no better than middle pair.
Pre-flop: Hero is SB with K J
6 folds, CO calls, Button calls, Hero raises, BB calls, CO calls, Button calls
Flop: (8 SB) J, 8, 6 (4 players)
Hero bets, BB calls, CO calls, Button calls
Turn: (6 BB) 5 (2 players)
Hero bets, BB calls, CO calls, Button raises, Hero?
You are in Situation C after the BU raises the field as a possible OESD completes on the turn. He will usually have a set or even a straight, possibly only two pair. You are far behind and play according to odds and outs. Calling down is only an option when you believe your opponent might be bluffing with a draw, which you never assume against an unknown.
How many discounted outs do you have?
You have to discount 5 of your outs. The board is very draw heavy and you might even be drawing dead. You can't count on more than 2 or 3 clean outs.
How large is the pot?
11 BBs.
How high are the costs?
You will usually only have to pay 1 BB. The other two players have been passive so far and are likely to remain so after the BU's raise. They are both most likely on draws or marginal hands.
Compare the pot odds to the odds to decide whether to call or fold
Even with 11:1 pot odds, 2-3 outs don't give you the odds to call and you have to fold your top pair.
Hands in this category rarely put you ahead. Middle pairs are marginal hands that can, however, get better. We will now look at a few examples of possible actions to take.
Pre-flop: Hero is MP1 with T T
3 folds, Hero raises, 3 folds, Button calls, 1 fold, BB calls
Flop: (6,5 SB) J, 6, 4 (3 players)
BB checks, Hero bets, Button calls, BB calls
Turn: (4,75 BB) 9 (3 players)
BB checks, Hero bets, Button raises, BB folds, Hero ?
The BU raises and the BB folds. Sitaution A once again. Call flop/raise turn can indicate a strong made hand in slowplay mode (not necessarily the best move for him to make given the draw heavy board).
He could have hit two pair or a set on the turn (a set of nines would, however, be unlikely after he cold called on the flop). He could also be (semi-)bluffing.
He is in position and the BB checked. Flush and straight draws are both possible on this board. He could have had a straight draw on the flop, or picked one up with the 9.
You will usually be behind, but can call down (instead of playing odds and outs) since he could be bluffing.
Pre-flop: Hero is MP1 with T T
3 folds, Hero raises, 3 folds, Button calls, 1 fold, BB calls
Flop: (6,5 SB) J, 6, 4 (3 players)
BB checks, Hero bets, Button calls, BB calls
Turn: (4,75 BB) 9 (3 players)
BB checks, Hero bets, Button raises, BB calls, Hero ?
This time the BB calls, which puts you in a poor situation. If he is on a draw, it's a strong one (assuming he is a good player). He is getting app. 4:1 pot odds, which means he needs app. 9 outs - a flush draw at the least.
He could, however, have a made hand (like a weak jack) and think the BU is bluffing. A lot of weaker players in lower limits can't fold a weak pair and make a poor call in such a situation.
Still, you are behind on average and should continue to play according to odds and outs.
This time you have to fold. The pot is too small to call with only 1-1.5 outs.
This is obviously the category that least likely has you ahead of your opponent. (Semi-)bluffs are usually the only hands you can beat.
Pre-flop: Hero is MP1 with T T
3 folds, Hero raises, 3 folds, Button calls, 1 fold, BB calls
Flop: (6,5 SB) J, 6, 4 (3 players)
BB checks, Hero bets, Button calls, BB calls
Turn: (4,75 BB) K (3 players)
BB checks, Hero bets, Button raises, BB folds, Hero ?
You are in a similar situation, but have even less than middle pair this time. A king shows up on the turn and the BU raises. This time there are even fewer hands weaker than yours. The BU could have hit top pair or two pair, which would also explain his passive flop play. There are also a number of draws possible he could semi-bluff with. The king is a good scare card to bluff on.
You should play passively (and fold in this situation), since there is hardly a hand you can beat that he can raise with, and because you don't expect a raise in this situation to be a bluff.
Examples
We will now continue with examples from the How to Play Made Hands on the Flop article, in which you have intiative going into the turn.
Pre-flop: Hero is MP2 with T 9
UTG+1 calls, UTG+2 folds, MP1 calls, Hero calls, 2 folds, BU calls, SB completes, BB checks.
Flop: (6 SB) J, Q, K (6 players)
SB checks, BB checks, UTG+1 checks, MP1 bets, Hero raises, 2 folds, BB calls, MP1 calls.
Turn: (6 BB) T (3 players)
BB checks, MP1 checks, Hero bets, BB calls, MP1 raises, Hero ?
Two opponents call your raise on the flop, then an ugly card shows up on the turn leaving you on the idiot's end of the straight: Any ace has you beat. Still, you bet on the turn to protect what you do have.
MP1 check/raises against two other opponents - a very strong indication that he has a monster. You pretty much have to give him the straight and can only continue to play based on odds and outs. This time you fold, since you will usually be drawing dead in such a situation.
Pre-flop: Hero is CO with K T
6 folds, Hero raises, BU calls, SB calls, BB 3-bets, Hero calls, BU calls, SB calls.
Flop: (12 SB) 2, T, K (4 players)
SB checks, BB bets, Hero raises, BU calls, SB folds, BB 3-bets, Hero caps, BU calls, BB calls.
Turn: (12 BB) 4 (3 players)
BB bets, Hero ?
There was a lot of action leading up to the turn. The BB has shown a lot of strength and is now donking on the turn. Time to reevaluate the situation. You gave the BB a few premium hands like AK, AA, KK, TT, or perhaps a flush draw, on the flop.
You should reraise, since he could be playing AK or AA, and since you capped for value on the flop. You want to protect your hand against the BU (who seems to have a draw or other mariginal hand) and to get value for your two pair. You raise and call a 3-bet.
Pre-flop: Hero is BU with A A
2 folds, UTG+2 calls, MP1 calls, 2 folds, CO raises, Hero 3-bets, 2 folds, UTG+2 calls, MP1 folds, CO calls.
Flop: (11.5 SB) 8, 6, K (3 players)
UTG+2 checks, CO bets, Hero raises, UTG+2 calls, CO 3-bets, Hero caps, UTG+2 calls, CO calls.
Turn: (12 BB) T (3 players)
UTG+2 checks, CO bets, Hero calls, UTG+2 raises, CO 3-bets, Hero ?
Once again we see a lot of action before the flop (and even a Cap on the flop!) The CO donks on the turn. As with top pairs and overpairs, you can't see yourself ahead on average and can only call.
Then an otherwise passive player check/raises the field, which leads the CO to 3-bet. You will almost always be far behind and should get out of the way. Don’t fall hopelessly in love with pocket aces!
Conclusion
You have learned the most important concepts for making the right decision on the turn. You are now capable of making decisions based on the type of hand you have and the information you have on your opponents and the board. You have gained a better understanding of an important aspect of Hold'em poker theory and can use this knowledge to stay one step ahead of your opponent.
Find out how much you really understood in this article with a quiz!
Test yourself on: Made Hands on the Turn
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