Having check/raised the turn while being out of position, what's our next move? Should we place a bet on the river? If yes, which hands are appropriate to bet? Is it ever advisable to check/raise again on the river after previously check/raising the turn?
Feeling puzzled about your options on the river after check/raising the turn isn’t unusual; most players share this confusion. raising the turn We aim to address several frequently asked questions concerning river play in the context of having check/raised on the turn. poker players .
With the help of a sample poker hand Let's review the questions we've gathered:
Is bluffing on the river an option after check/raising the turn?
- What types of hands are suitable for bluffing?
- What should our bet sizing be when bluffing on the river?
- How frequently can we bluff the river following a check/raise on the turn?
- How broadly can we value bet the river after check/raising the turn?
- What bet sizing should we utilize for value betting on the river?
- How should we approach mid-strength hands on the river after a check/raise on the turn?
- What are the implications of betting our mid-strength hands on the river?
- Is it ever advisable to set a trap on the river after check/raising the turn?
- Could we consider check/raising as a bluff on the river after check/raising the turn?
- Although there are countless scenarios that can arise on the river following a check/raise on the turn, we'll refer to a specific example hand to help clarify our river strategy.
Example Hand
Take a moment to reflect on the hand and ask yourself –
200bb effective stacks.
BTN opens to 2.5bb.
BB cold-calls.
Flop: Th9h5d (Pot 5.5bb)
BB checks.
BTN cbets 4.25bb.
BB calls 4.25bb.
Turn: 6h (14bb)
BB checks.
BTN bets 10bb
BB raises to 27bb
BTN calls 17bb
River: 2c (68bb)
BB?
What hands would you consider for a check/raise on the turn?
- How would you opt to play those hands on the river?
- Q1 - Is bluffing on the river advisable after check/raising the turn?
Let’s look at our questions.
The theoretical response to this inquiry is an emphatic yes. If we are betting strong hands for value on the river, then our strategy could become overly transparent if we never incorporate bluffs.
In actual play, the decision rests on our adversary. For instance, if our opponent tends to fold on the river less frequently than expected, it may be more strategic to refrain from bluffing.
Q2 - What hands should we consider for bluffing?
Bluffing is most effective with hands that lack showdown value. Typically, this means our final hand on the river is King-high or worse.
For example, in our initial hand analysis, the Big Blind should bet with KhQs after check/raising the turn. Even though this hand had a flush draw, gutshot, and overcards on the turn, it ends with only King-high on the river when the 2c is dealt.
While it’s occasionally acceptable to bluff with an Ace-high or a small pair, this should be infrequent according to poker theory. However, in practice, we may bluff more often with these hand types if our opponent is excessively folding on the river.
Q3 - What bet sizing should we employ for bluffing on the river?
The straightforward answer is that we should vary our bet sizes. Since our value hands also adopt diverse bet sizes based on their strength, sticking to one size for all bluffs could reveal our strategy.
That said, not all bet sizes hold equal effectiveness. Commonly used sizes should take into account the board state, especially the river card. We often observe that river cards completing numerous draws tend to favor smaller bets, whereas cards that miss encourage larger bets. bet-sizings when bluffing the river In our example hand, a typical bet sizing chosen by a player is a 150% pot overbet. Conversely, if the river card changes to the 7h, the prevalent sizing shifts to a mere 10% pot.
Q4 - How often is it optimal to bluff on the river after a check/raise on the turn?
Theoretically, there is a cap on how frequently we should use busted draws as bluffs on the river. Ideally, for every value hand we bet, there should be a specific number of bluffs that correspond to that scenario—a principle known as bluff to value ratio. poker solver The proper bluff to value ratio is contingent on the river bet sizing. For instance, with a pot-sized river bet, we are permitted to bluff once for every two value bets made.
Usually, firing all our busted draws would lead us to bluff excessively, a situation poker players term 'overbluffing.'
Still, it often proves beneficial to deploy all busted draws anyway. This is primarily because most opponents do not fold adequately to a river bet after calling a turn check/raise. Maintaining a correct bluff to value ratio becomes crucial only if our opponent possesses the skills to exploit an unbalanced ratio. poker Q5 - What is the scope for value betting on the river after check/raising the turn?
In our example hand, holding at least a set or better is crucial to bet for value on the river.
Yet, it's vital to acknowledge that this heavily relies on the specific board and preceding actions. poker theory One reason for the narrow value betting range in this hand is due to a potential heart flush completing on the 6h turn. If the turn were instead a 6c, then two-pair hands might become strong enough to value bet on the river.
If we change the river to an 8h, completing many draws, only the top flushes would have the strength to generate a value bet.
Q6 - What bet sizing do we use for value betting on the river?
Similar to bluff sizing, a variety of bet sizes should be employed when value betting depending on hand strength.
Generally, it’s straightforward—larger bets for more robust hands. In our example, sets and straights often bet smaller, while flushes lean towards larger bets, sometimes even overbets.
A theoretical nuance here is that very strong hands should also consider smaller bets occasionally. By doing this, we prevent our opponents from easily deducing our hand strength whenever we utilize a smaller size.
In practice, however, many opponents do not pay close attention, meaning we don’t need to conceal our small bets with strong hands, as doing so could diminish our winnings by not maximizing value extraction.
Q7 - How should we navigate mid-strength hands on the river after check/raising the turn?
The straightforward answer indicates that we ought to be checking mid-strength hands like top/mid pairs and two pairs if a flush draw is possible. However, it's important to delve a bit deeper into this.
It’s rare to possess mid-strength hands on the river after a check/raise on the turn, but it happens occasionally. One reason could be that the river card enhances many draws to become mid-strength hands. However, this isn’t applicable in our example, where the turn 2c doesn’t connect with any of our semi-bluffing hands from the turn.
Still, mid-strength hands do exist in our example, since poker theory allows for check/raising the turn with hands like pair plus gutshots (e.g., 97/98/T8/T7) and some second pairs (e.g., Tx or 9x).
It's noteworthy that these occurrences are infrequent, and most turn check/raises in the example are from one-card flush draws, either alone or accompanied by a straight draw. Theory might also allow for a check/raise with T9 (two pair) on the turn, which should be viewed as a mid-strength hand by river time, as it isn't robust enough for a value bet.
If we encounter a river bet after checking, we must choose between folding or calling. Many hands fall into both categories; for example, in our hand analysis, theory sometimes advocates for a check/call with T7s while at other times recommends a check/fold.
Q8 - What are the implications of betting our mid-strength hands on the river?
The brief answer is that we usually remain profitable, but we aren't choosing the most advantageous strategy overall.
Although betting and checking mid-strength hands typically yield profits, opting to check tends to generate higher returns than betting. Betting could result in a 'loss,' as we could have gained more value by checking instead.
Q9 - Is it ever wise to trap on the river following a check/raise on the turn?
The theoretical response would advocate for such tactics. In our example, a poker solver suggests that ace-high and king-high flushes might occasionally opt for a check/raise on the river instead of betting. bluffcatching If we solely check busted draws and mid-strength hands on the river, our bluff check/raises might become apparent against attentive opponents, as we would not be utilizing the same approach with a value hand.
However, in practice, it might be more effective to consistently bet with our value hands instead of trapping. This is especially true when facing passive opponents who are less likely to bet when checked to.
Q10 - Should we utilize a check/raise as a bluff on the river after a check/raise on the turn?
Absolutely, even if many players have never considered this strategy in their entire playing history.
In theory, check/raising is particularly advantageous with holdings that diminish the likelihood of our opponent having a strong hand (also known as blockers). In our scenarios, this often involves holding one heart along with a card that could form part of a T-high straight.
Illustrative check/raise bluffs might include hands like 77 with the 7h or T8/98 with one heart. Holding a seven, eight, or a heart generally reduces the chance of our opponent possessing either a flush or the T-high straight. This concept is referred to as the card removal effect or blockers.
Activate the river for value with strong hands, typically sets or two pairs plus, contingent on the runout.
Understand how to navigate river scenarios in poker effectively. Learn techniques for bluffing, making value bets, and managing hands of intermediate strength after performing a check/raise on the turn.
Exploring River Play Techniques in Poker: Strategies for Bluffing, Value Betting, and Additional Insights
After we check/raised on the turn while out of position, what's our next step? Should we place a bet on the river? If so, which of our hands are suitable for this action? Can we consider a check/raise on the river following a turn check/raise?
If you're uncertain about how to proceed on the river after a check/raise, you're certainly not alone, as this is a common dilemma faced by many players.
We’re here to address some frequently asked questions about river strategy following a check/raise on the turn.
Getting Started
Strong Hands
- Let's review some pertinent questions that players often ask:
- Is it advisable to attempt a bluff on the river after check/raising the turn?
- What kinds of hands are appropriate for bluffing?
Mid Strength Hands
- These should always check the river.
- What sizing should we use when bluffing on the river?
Weak Hands (i.e. busted draws)
- How frequently should we consider bluffing the river after check/raising the turn?
- How broadly can we execute value bets on the river after a check/raise on the turn?
- What bet sizing is appropriate when value betting on the river?
Summary
How should we approach mid-strength hands on the river after check/raising the turn?