Tip # 31 of 52, Usually check when you have a draw to the best hand and it has been checked to you.

This is a tricky one, which experience will help you navigate more profitably. It is tempting to bet the turn with only a draw when you are in last position, as nobody has shown much strength and you might win the pot with your semibluff*. There are times when this is the correct play. Basically, if you are against only one or two opponents who you feel made weak calls on the flop, a turn bet is likely to win you the pot. If you are called, though, it is still possible that you will improve to the best hand.

However, most of the time you should check and accept the free card graciously. Simply because your opponents check doesn't mean they aren't prepared to call, and it is often to your advantage to get to the river as cheaply as possible when all you have is a draw.

One problem with betting the turn on the come** is that it can place you in a difficult position on the river. Suppose you bet a flush draw on the turn, hoping to win the pot, but are called in two spots. Now a blank* comes on the river. You are left holding, for example, the same Q-J you started with, a hand that probably has no chance to win in a showdown. The two players check to you again. What should you do?

Since you seized the initiative in this pot and cannot win by checking, you must bet again and hope that your opponents will release a small pair, ace high, or whatever they called with on the turn. Unfortunately, at this point the pot has grown quite large, and you are likely to receive a curiosity call** from some sort of marginal hand. Many opponents will call hoping that all you have is a busted flush draw. In this case, they will be right. So, your decision to semibluff on the turn is actually a two-big-bet decision, as you must be willing to fire twice to try to win the pot. This is why it is usually best simply to check your draw on the turn and hope for the best, unless you have detected weakness in all opponents in the hand.