Tip # 40 of 52, Bet the river with the best hand.

This might seem like an obvious statement, but it is amazing how often hold'em players check the winning hand on the end. They may think, "the pot is big enough," "I'd better check just in case someone caught that third four," or "I doubt anyone will call me, so I may as well check."

The problem with this is that the pot is not big enough, that four on the river is probably a safe card, and someone will call. It is very important that you do not leave money on the table*. You must bet the river when you have the best hand, and collect those extra calls that your curious opponents will bestow upon you. This is one of the few times in poker in which you can bet and get a call from a player who has no chance to beat you. So, take advantage of the opportunity to bet the river for value.

When you are first to act, you should bet if you feel you hold the winner, because you are apt to get called by slightly worse hands. However, if you check, these hands might then check right behind you. The exception to their checking is those times that they outdraw you, in which case they would bet and you would probably call. So, those times you hold the winner, you cost yourself a bet or two by checking to your opponents. However, you still lose a bet those times you are beaten.