For the benefit of absolute beginners the “turn” card is the fourth community card to be dealt face-up on the table following the three cards also dealt face-up as the “flop”. Let’s assume you are holding your two concealed hole cards and have had the benefit of studying the three card flop. You will now be in a position to pretty much assess your chances of forming a strong hand just as the turn card is due to be dealt. It’s this fact which makes the turn card so very important. Your actions following the flop fall into a few simple categories. Either you have already constructed a premium hand or you have failed to do so. More commonly, you are wondering if the turn or the river cards can complete the flush or straight that you have “almost” constructed. That’s called “drawing to a straight or a flush”. If you already have a great hand you don’t want to over-bet the upcoming turn card because you will be scaring money away from the pot by giving doubters a compelling reason to fold. You need to make a reasonably thoughtful bet. Maybe even a cautious bet. If you are drawing to a flush or a straight and there has been no raise ahead of you, probably you will want to stay in the game to see if the turn completes your desired hand. Obviously, if you have failed to form even the potential for a strong hand following the flop you will fold prior to the turn unless you’re into big time bluffing. All this demonstrates the key role the turn card plays in Texas Hold’em. Approach it with care or it’ll turn on you.
FREQUENTLY ASKED POKER QUESTIONS Q: I’ve read your recent piece about not showing your hand to anyone when a game is over. I thought every poker player had the right to demand to see an opposing player’s hand after a game? A: It’s true you have the right but you need to have what the American’s would call “just cause”. If you do decide to take this step make sure you have a real reason to be suspicious and not just a grudge against someone who has beaten you. If you do this kind of thing regularly it will come back to haunt you, socially or online. My point in the previous piece was that there is no requirement to reveal a hand just to satisfy a curiosity and give away intel. A demand to see a hand, via the site or in a social game, via the dealer, is a rather different matter.
Q: How often does an Ace usually appear in the flop during a normal full table game? A: The odds predict more or less one flop in four will produce an Ace. However, we’re all familiar with some of the extended runs on the red or black that roulette often throws up and according to the odds either should show up fifty percent of the time. Such is chance.
