Learn Texas Holdem

Turn play can be the least considered aspect of No-Limit Texas Hold'em, but it can also be the most important. The betting round on the turn is the last betting round before all the cards are out and people's best possible hands can be determined. As a result, some players who like their hands may bet quite a lot in order to discourage opponents from drawing out on them. This overbetting can sometimes be a real mistake in terms of expected value.

What is Overbetting in No-Limit Poker?

Bet sizes in no limit Texas Hold'em are calculated relative to the pot. In other words, a player will speak of making a pot-sized bet, betting half the pot or betting more than the pot. The last of these is considered overbetting the pot.

What is Wrong with Overbetting in No-Limit Hold'em on the Turn?

To make the most money in no limit Texas Hold'em you do not always want to shut opponents out of the pot. Your goal is to give opponents incorrect odds to call your bet, but make it tempting enough that they call anyway. A pot-sized bet offers pot odds of 2-to-1 to opponents. Anything larger than this and there are few hands that have correct odds to try and draw out on the river, and this will be obvious to opponents. In most cases when you overbet in this fashion you will only be called by strong made hands that may already have you beaten.

When is Overbetting in Poker Okay?

Some players like to overbet to represent a bluff when they in fact have a very strong hand. These players hope that their opponents view the overbet as an attempt to scare everyone away. When you play Hold'em, and a pot-sized bet will leave you with very few chips, it is okay to go all-in, even if this is a slight overbet. Since opponents will see that the betting will end with the call, they may be more inclined to stay in. Finally, in a tournament, where survival may be your goal, it can be okay to make an overbet that shuts opponents out. In a cash game you should pursue any slight edge you can get, but in a tournament where being on the wrong side of the odds one time may end your tournament life, it is not a sin to make a bet so large that a flush or straight draw can hang around to beat you.