Turn Poker
Once the flop is delivered you know 71 percent of your final hand. This lesson will focus on the turn, which produces 86 percent of your hand. Many poker pundits express the belief that the turn is the most difficult street to play in hold’em – so let’s explore some differences in how one might approach this street for improved results.
The turn card normally defines the hand. It is the card that makes most draws or the price to venture forth can become very expensive. While the turn can become tricky, especially in no-limit, if you are in with a quality holding it shouldn’t be that difficult unless the turn card adds a new dimension such as three suiting or three straightening the board. If you’re still in post flop you really need to have something – even if that something is just a plan.
The following are several elements that should command your attention on the turn.
Re-Assess Your Table Image
This is a good time to re-assess what you believe to be your current table image. If you have been playing a tight-aggressive game and have only shown solid hand values when called down, then if you’re being called by an equally solid player – it’s reasonable to put him on more than just air. Here is an example:
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You limp from early position with and the flop comes . You make a semi-bluff bet with second pair and an opponent smooth calls. Now that same opponent bets into you on the turn. The most prudent course of action is to give that opponent credit for a better hand than pocket tens and fold. While some may opine that this is too tight a way to play, one should have top pair or better by the turn or at least a viable draw or they should probably be checking and folding.
While playing in this manner should keep you out of trouble, you need to be aware that your more observant opponents will see right through this and take advantage of your one dimensional play. In order to thwart this type of predatory behaviour you need to mix in some check raises so that your checks do not indicate that a bet on their part will automatically move you off your hand. Predictability is the sign of a weak player.
Drawing Hands
There are both the defensive and offensive aspects of drawing hands which simply means – are you on a draw or is your opponent? When you believe you currently have the best hand but believe your opponent is on a draw with one card to come, you need to make a bet. You should bet on the turn so as not to allow your opponent to draw for free. Obviously you need to make it mathematically incorrect for him to draw. Depending on what you perceive his draw to be, he has as few as four outs (inside straight draw) up to as many as fifteen outs (flush and open ended straight draw).
Not to bet on the turn is incorrect for two reasons – first, as mentioned, you should not allow him to draw for free and secondly, if you check now and the draw doesn’t come in you will not make any money by betting the river as he will probably muck his busted draw. So, bet to make your money now and hope the draw doesn’t arrive.
What if you are the one on the draw? If you’re getting the right price for your draw then you should obviously proceed. If you called on the flop with a drawing hand but missed on the turn then you’re probably facing a bet where the odds have gone up significantly. This is what tends to happen. If your opponent suspects you for a draw then there’s a good chance he’s going to make you pay for it. Many poker players make the mistake of calling on the flop by using the odds to make their draws with two cards to come, then fold to a big bet on the turn. If you find yourself in such situations with regularity then start avoiding this conundrum on the turn by using the odds for one card to come on the flop.
If you’re facing a wager that doesn’t supply you with the correct pot odds to call, then implied odds can sometimes be taken into consideration. The implied odds of a straight draw is usually higher than the implied odds of a flush draw. This is because many players freeze up when a third suited card lands on the board. A double belly buster straight draw has the highest implied odds due to its stealth nature. Since it is not an obvious draw but still has eight outs one should normally go to the river, especially if the board is not paired or triple suited.
Scare Cards
A scare card is one you don’t normally want to see. If there were two hearts on the flop and you have two black hole cards you certainly do not want to see another heart on the turn. But what if you do? Well, now is the time to put the knowledge you’ve accumulated about your opponents to work. If an opponent now bets into two or more players, then you should probably fold as he would realize it’s too likely someone will call so he must have a real hand. If on the other hand this opponent is known to be tricky, loose or generally enamoured with bluffing then a call or even a raise could be in order.
Also, aside from player tendencies always be aware of the odds the pot is offering to help guide your decision. Personally, I would rather use a scare card to my own advantage than be put on the defensive. Remember this – if the card in question is scary looking to you it may well be downright intimidating to your opponent.
Floating the flop
To float the flop is to call a continuation bet with a weak hand in position with the intent of pushing your opponent off his hand on the turn. This strategy is based upon the knowledge that most pre-flop hands do not improve on the flop. Many times after showing pre-flop aggression, players feel compelled to follow up with a continuation bet in hopes of taking the pot down. When that continuation bet is met with a flat call it signals to the better that his opponent may well have a hand worth an investment. When due to that concern the turn is checked the “floater” then bets and takes down the pot.
The float play is a successful strategy that works due to the fact that most holdings do not connect with the flop and epitomizes the saying that top flight players tend to play their opponents, not their cards. While there are some turn cards that should cause you to abandon the play, don’t get scared when it’s time to act. Of course, there is the inherent risk of running into a strong starting hand or a ragged flop which was custom made for a hand. However, poker is full of risks and while the meek may well inherit the earth they don’t make very good poker players.
Firing the Second Barrel
Firing the second barrel is the most effective way to thwart an opponent who was floating the flop. Certainly having your continuation bet called will give you pause and make you wonder what your opponent is holding. The strategy of the float relies upon this concern and many players then hesitate to bet again or fire the second barrel. If you put yourself in the floater’s shoes, firing the second barrel is enough to make him give up his plan of pushing you off your hand with a bet. Firing the second barrel is normally the antidote to the float. Normally is not totally as, mentioned above, you could be stepping into a slow play trap but as we all know there are no money back guarantees in poker.
Both floating the flop and firing the second barrel should not be done blindly and as your default move. They should be used when supported by knowledge of your opponent’s tendencies for best results.
Conclusion
If you find yourself somewhat stranded on the turn without much of a hand you are probably playing “wish poker” which is to say, too loose. Many times after an aggressive pre-flop betting round and more betting on the flop players put the brakes on at the turn when their optimism wanes. If you’re in position, this can be an excellent time to pick up the pot with a well timed bet.
As in all of poker, it is essential to gain an understanding of how your opponents play the game. Does your opponent(s) only enter the fray with quality hands or do they enjoy being aggressive with high cards and then commit themselves to remain aggressive right through to the river?
The turn may well have been given its name because at this juncture in the hand a player’s optimism can TURN into the stark reality that he is bringing up the rear. The turn becomes decision time. Generally if you’re in on the turn you’ve punched your through ticket to play the river. A busted draw would be the exception.
In closing I would like to share one of my favorite poker expressions which may sum up how to address decision making at this critical stage of the hand… when in doubt, get out! A dollar saved is a dollar earned.
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By Tom 'TIME' Leonard
Tom has been writing about poker since 1994 and has played across the USA for over 40 years, playing every game in almost every card room in Atlantic City, California and Las Vegas.
If you had always played poker online and never been to a casino or played any poker offline tournaments, then you wouldn’t have come across Burn and Turn in poker. Burning the cards is quite common when you play Texas Hold’em or some of the other poker variants.
Also, if you want to host a perfect poker game, then you need to know what is burn and turn mean in poker. In this article, I’ll explain in detail what is a burn card or when do you have to burn the cards when playing Texas Hold’em poker.
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There are a total of three burn cards when you play Texas Hold’em poker. Basically, you take the top card of the deck and Burn(discard) it before you deal the flop, turn, or the river. The burned cards are never revealed to the players. Buring the cards are essential in order to prevent any unfair advantage to the gamblers who cheat using the marked cards. Burning cards is practiced not only in Texas Hold’em but other poker variants that involves play over multiple streets.
This video will help you understand even better what are the rules of Texas Hold’em as well as what is burn and turn in poker. Credit goes to TruePokerDealer.
Burn And Turn Related Questions
I’ll list some of the important questions related to burn and turn. If you have any questions related to them, please leave a comment below. Ok, let us get straight to the questions now.
What does burn mean in poker?
Burn in poker is a term used to discard the top card in the deck before you deal with a flop, turn, or river. The burned (Discarded) cards are not shown to the players sitting at the table. In fact, not even the dealer gets to see the burn card before or after burning it.
Burning the cards is not only practiced in Texas Hold’em but in all other poker variants involving multiple streets or poker variants with multiple community cards.
When do you burn in poker?
In Texas Hold’em poker, you burn one card from the top of the deck before you deal a flop, turn, or a river. I’ll explain what is a flop, turn, and a river below.
- Flop: Flop in Texas Hold’em are the first three community cards that are dealt after the initial betting round (First betting round). The community cards are displayed to all the players sitting at the table. So, before you deal with the first three community cards, you have to burn the top card from the deck and keep it aside.
- Turn: After the dealer deals the flop, a second betting round begins. Once that betting round finishes, the dealer then deals with another community card at the table. And this fourth community card in Texas Hold’em is known as the Turncard. And once again, before you deal with the turn card, you have to first discard the card at the top of the deck and keep it aside.
- River: After the dealer deals the turn card, a third betting round commences. And once the third betting round gets over, the fifth community card or also known as the River card is dealt at the table by the dealer. And once again, before you deal with the River, you have to first discard the card at the top of the deck and keep it aside.
So, in Texas Hold’em you have three burn cards before you deal the flop, turn, and the river. And this practice has to be done in some other poker variants as well.
Do you burn before the flop?
In Texas Hold’em you burn a card three times before dealing flop, Turn, and River. So, yes, you have to burn a card before the flop is dealt at the table by the dealer.
Even though you flop three cards, you burn only one card from the top of the deck. It is important to know that these burned cards are not shown to any of the players. But, you should make sure all the players can clearly see the burned cards.
Where do you keep the burned cards?
Firstly, when a dealer burns a card it is his responsibility that no one at the table sees the card in any way. If anyone does see what the card is, then the purpose of burning the card becomes useless.
Now, when a dealer burns a card he should keep it face-down beside him, in such a way that everyone at the table is able to see the burned cards. Usually, the burned cards are placed in the muck. But, if you don’t have a muck, then it can be placed near the deck where it is visible to everyone at the table. This way everyone at the table will know that you burned the cards as you should.
Now, keep in mind to never place the burned cards inside or below the deck. There isn’t any problem as such if you keep the burned cards in the deck. But, if a player at the table asks you where the burned cards are, then it might cause problems for you. Also, there are some other uses for the burned cards which I’ll explain further in the article. So, to avoid it, it is best to place the burned cards separately beside the deck or placed in the muck.
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Why do poker dealers burn cards?
There are several reasons as to why a poker dealer burns a card. I’ll list the uses of burning the cards below.
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- To prevent cheating: This is the main reason as to why the poker dealers burn the card. In casinos or cash games, the dealers burn the cards to prevent any participant to take advantage of the marked cards at the table. So that players who might have been able to read markings on that card during the previous round are less able to take advantage of that information during the current round.
- Prevent Second Dealing: Second dealing is the process of dealing with the second card at the top instead of the first card. Second dealing is usually performed when you know what the top card is and you want the second top card to increase your chance of winning. It is basically a form of cheating and can be easily prevented by burning a card before dealing with a flop, turn, or river.
- Extra cards when Irregularities occur: A common irregularity that happens in poker is when a dealer is dealing with the cards, he might accidentally flash the card and if others sitting at the table see the card, then the card has to be replaced. You can use one of the burned cards to replace the card that is exposed. And the exposed card is used as a burned card instead. But, this exposed card is kept face-up so that everyone at the table is able to look at the exposed card.
Is it necessary to Burn and turn when you play poker at your home?
The dealers usually burn card in order to prevent any cheating in Casinos or when poker tournaments are held. Since the burned cards are unknown cards and are not seen by any players, it doesn’t affect the probability in any way. Since burning a card doesn’t affect the game in any way, it is not necessary to burn a card when you play poker at your home for fun.
But, it is considered to be a good practice to burn the cards when you play Texas Hold’em poker. If you want to play poker professionally, then it is better to burn and turn the cards.
What happens when a dealer forgets to burn and turn a card?
When a dealer forgets to burn a card during the dealing of the flop and if a player sitting at the table notices it and asks for the burned card, then the following options can be done.
- If the burned card is present in one of the three flop cards and the dealer recognizes which of the three-card is the burned card, then the dealer re-constructs the flop by showing the burned card to everyone and replacing the burned card with the correct flop card from the deck. The exposed card is burned and kept aside with the other burned cards at the table.
- If the burned card is present in one of the three flop cards and the dealer isn’t %100 sure which card is the burned card, then in this case the flop stands. The next top card is burned and is used as the burned card for the flop so that proper burned cards can be used for Turn and River.
- If the dealer forgets to burn a card during the dealing of a flop, and a player notices only after the betting round finishes, then the flop stands. The next top card is burned just like in the previous case when the dealer isn’t 100% sure of the burned card. This way at least for the turn and river the right cards are burned.
These were some of the common questions related to burn and turn in poker. If you have any further questions related to it, then please leave a comment below. If you are interested, then you can take a look at my other blogs related to poker. Thanks for reading.
I am the owner of the site rohithebbar.com. I love playing poker and other card games.