Turn poker definition
The turn is almost like a natural extension of the flop. More specifically, it refers to the fourth community card that is dealt, and the third betting round if playing Omaha or Texas Hold’Em.
In these variants, the second betting round is known as the flop. Many players may have a good poker strategy when it comes to the preflop and subsequent flop betting rounds, but get a little lost when it comes to a latter round of betting. As such, the turn is a critical juncture in any poker game, especially when the stakes are high.
order of poker phases
Poker has a few betting rounds for players to contend with, so let’s run through in order each round, and explain what happens.
The flop
Whoever is in the earliest position at the table will be the first to place bets. After an initial round of betting for the hole cards in the preflop, a card will be burned off the top of the deck, which means it will be discarded without being looked at. Three cards will then be dealt face-up on the centre of the board.
This is known as the flop and the start of when the community cards begin to appear. Anyone who has not folded will have a five-card poker hand, and a round of betting will have taken place. The second betting round can be critical.
The turn
Known as the third betting round in poker, the turn, or fourth community card, gives you a few options to weigh up. At this point, you may well continue to play after the latest deal if you think you have the best hand or you are one card short of the best hand, which is a draw.
If you find yourself in a good state and free of trouble, then you should act decisively if you have say a flush or a straight and can anticipate when your opponents are most likely to fold. All players will be given the chance to make their best five-card poker hands.
But even if you have a pair, and a top pair at that, and a person decides to make a raise, then there is a good chance they will have a better hand, and here folding would be a good play. You could of course carry out a bluff, but remember, a more experienced opponent will be able to spot a bluff from a mile off, and keep themselves in contention going into the river.
Sometimes, inexperienced players would fall foul and get beaten by other players if they call on the flop, so it is always about thinking ahead, especially at this key juncture in poker. With turn poker, there is always another round of betting for a poker player to be exposed. This is where you will have to sharpen your focus, so you avoid making a silly poker mistake.
The river
By the time you reach the river, which is also referred to as the fifth street in poker, and the most infamous community card will be dealt. Once you have made the river, there may well be an overwhelming sense of relief as you will have stood tall, defied the odds, and the chance to win the pot will be firmly within your grasp. Essentially, it is your last opportunity to grab a hand, and any mistake here, could be ruinous.
If you have the card that you needed, then it will be a good time to place another bet. Things, of course, can get a bit more complicated if you have an average hand, such as a pair or a middle pair, and your opponent has, for example, a hand with a kicker.
If you can play within position here, there is hope that you will come out on top. You can bet or raise with nuts, which in turn, will help you seize control of the pot, and the odds will be in your favour.
Of course, there are still options at the river if you are trailing, but when calculating pot odds, you can’t always be sure if you have a strong hand. You can of course place bets on every street, and players can choose, for example, to bet or fold before the flop, after the flop, and then again after the river.
A player can also check, bet, call, raise, or re raise after seeing the river. This is when betting choices are key. You can find plenty of resources on river play to inform your poker strategy, as it is a fundamental part of any high stakes game.
poker turn strategy tips
If you want to improve your online poker skills, then having a solid poker strategy in place for the turn element is fundamental. We have suggested some strategy pointers to give you more confidence and produce a good play more often.
Second barrel the turn
The first and perhaps best way to play and land more money, is to start double barreling more often. What we mean by this, is that when it comes to preflop raises, you bet the flop and then bet on the turn again.
However, you can’t just go double barreling any player, as that will end up being a recipe for disaster. You need to know when to hit if you are in a good range, and that will make you harder to beat.
Pot control more effectively
If you have played with confidence during the second betting round, then you should consider your options when you have a strong hand. Perhaps you should start to play more slowly and create an air of deception, in terms of trying to induce a bluff or two. The bluff, as we have seen, can be very effective when you hit, especially come the big blind.
Plan for the river
A strong strategy that will make your poker experience more profitable and complete, is to always plan ahead. Regardless of what stage you are at, you will want to keep your opponent guessing, and to get in front, you need to stay one step ahead. And that means you should plan meticulously rather than play fearlessly and pray things will fall into place. If you can plan well, then ultimately, you will keep your bankroll ticking over.
Remember to check behind
Another good strategy to adopt is to remember to check behind. Most of the time it may be viewed as a weakness, especially during the middle of a round. That said, the point of checking is to make sure you keep the size of the pot small, and it is a way of containing more aggressive players.
By checking your opponent at the right point, you will be putting them under more pressure, and a good example of this, would be if you held a flush. Checking can also be a good play as it slows down things, and it may deceive your opponent, who feels they have two cards that are very strong.
Summary
As we have seen, the turn in poker is the fourth community card that players will be dealt with in Texas Hold’Em. Naturally, there are plenty of things to consider by the time you reach this stage, and those players, who can think more laterally when they play, will be more successful.
Of course, you should never underestimate your opponent, whether you are in the pre flop or post flop, but if you can take advantage of the strategies we have outlined, this will stand you in good stead. We hope this complete guide has inspired you to practise your technique and elevate your skills to new heights.