I see just by reading blog and forum comments here that this is not just a fun site to be on but a GREAT ONE! I think it's pretty obvious we all want to get better and have more peers to relate with. All of these things are exceptional in becoming a better player. So now that my boot licking is done I would like to share something I've used that has helped my value bet to be more secure or in the event of NOT calling somebody elses on the river.

When betting the flop or (check raising depending on position) with top pair you need to really try and range somebody for calling or playing back at you. Things like how does this player normally act, how many hands do they play, do they bet come hands or do they like to dance on air? Between the action of the flop betting and the turn card falling try to get 2 types in your head. (this is where being honest is the difference between profit and break even play)

So here is the TURN all of the information you have now should be used to either play to the river or get out quick before your house burns to the ground...

1)If I have position and a player has checked to me with me holding top pair and reasonable kicker I check here... Don't worry payday is on fri... Then I %50-%80 the river depending on how tight-loose the opponent is. If you do bet the turn and opponent has second pair a lot of times they fold rather than call 3 bets with second pair so the only way to extract more is on the river.

2) you've made your read and the worst card in the entire deck fell out action to you: CHECK/FOLD it's ok to say it and for some it's a lot harder to do... Thank yourself for getting better and still having a pile in front of you. Your now ready to pick another spot.

3) let's say your in fear of being flushed or a str8. turn is an X with action to you. You have got to decide whether or not this player is the "too dumb to fold" variety or the person who is "in fear of getting broke". The dumb guy will probably bluff missing the river anyway but you still stand getting crushed by a flush if they hit the river. I tend to bet the pot against somebody who seems resonable to fold the "too dumb to fold" I get 5bb and 5bb is GOOD value take it! If they miss the river and bet out use some caution (again READ THE TYPE) before you reraise for value you may have misread a trapping play. *The river and they got there with a flush*. STOP CALLING THE FLUSH YOU DEFENDED AGAINST! I repeat STOP CALLING IT! I see it and have done it myself. When you KNOW the player has you beat and you call is they easiest way to continue as a break even player.

My point here is the TURN card really dictates the how the hands are stacking up and the type of player who is in the pot. (GREAT SPOT TO WATCH AND LEARN! player types, little tricks, all sorts of things on hands your not in) Be carefull with top pair, true it's most of your winning hands, it can also make you look like your a jar of free coins waiting to be stolen from and if you think there are 3 or more good players at your table that's the last thing you need. Obviously, I didn't take into account if you improve or if you get shoved on and those types of thing will happen also. When they do it's going to be about reading, rolling & raking in those spots and they are so unique it will be a table time decision to make. Personaly I play about %70 of my "top pair on the flop" hands like this and I feel a lot more confident playing the other types of hands every sense I've locked down how to play %70 of my winners through the river. Hope it helps you wear out the felt in front of you GLatT!