Tip # 33 of 52, Certain hands should typically be played aggressively on the turn.

Here are examples of hands that should typically be played aggressively on the turn:

• Top pair with a good kicker is likely to be the best hand. This is particularly true if nobody else has demonstrated much strength. Again, you should bet this hand for two reasons: to protect it, and for its value.
• Two pair, a set, or trips should be played very aggressively. Hands such as sets and two pair are often difficult for your opponents to detect, so they may raise you with hands like top pair or an overpair. This allows you to win some big pots with your hand, provided you play it aggressively. Trips (composed of a pair on the board plus one in your hand) are typically an easier hand for your opponents to read, so you must play them with slightly more caution if you bet and get raised or reraised. If you raise when there is a pair on the board, and get reraised, you are likely to be up against a full house.
• A made straight or flush. The only real danger here (provided that the board isn't paired) is that you might run into a higher straight or bigger flush. For example, you might bet or raise with 7-8 when the board shows 9-T-J, but if you get reraised you must slow down. It is quite possible that you are up against K-Q. A similar situation involving a flush would be when you hold a queen-high flush and raise the bettor. Should he reraise you, you are reduced to calling him down. You should be willing to bet or raise once with any two-card straight or flush (that is, where you have both cards needed to make the hand in the hole; the situation is different with four to a straight or flush on the board), but to reraise it's best to be holding the nuts.
• You hold an overpair to the board. Most of the time this is the best hand, and you should play it as such. That said, if there is a lot of betting and raising, you may well be trailing. It is important to examine the texture of the board to help determine how strong your hand is. A few examples follow, with comments:

Example 1:
Your Hand: A♣A♦
Board: 2♠5♦6♣7♥

Comments on Example 1: You have the best hand if you are betting and they are calling. However, if there is a bet and a raise to you, you are probably up against either a made straight or a set. Fold, unless the raiser is a maniac who might make this play with any pair or draw.

Example 2:
Your Hand: A♣A♦
Board: 3♠8♦9♣K♥

Comments on Example 2: Even with a bet and a raise to you, it is very possible that your two aces are still the best hand. The raiser might well be holding a king. The best play is probably to reraise, hoping to eliminate the other players. If you get called only, you are likely holding the best hand.

Example 3:
Your Hand: A♣A♦
Board: 4♠5♦6♣7♥

Comments on Example 3: Your hand isn't worth a dollar if there is any significant action. If a reputable player bets, you should fold your aces here.