Session #5 – 2026
By: Hal Coblentz- Semi-Professional Cash Game Player 20+ years
In Session #4 was about continuation betting, Session 5 is where we separate the button-clickers from the thinkers.
This week I’m focusing on Turn & River decision-making — where most money is actually won (or punted).
A lot of players play the flop fine… and then completely lose the plot when the board changes or pressure ramps up. Let’s fix that.
Big Idea for Session 5
👉 Every turn and river decision must answer ONE question:
Am I betting for value, protection, or as a bluff — and what worse hands continue?
If you can’t answer that instantly, checking is often the better play.
1. Turn Play: The Truth Card
The turn is where ranges start to narrow and mistakes get expensive.
When to Fire the Turn
I double-barrel the turn when:
- The turn improves my perceived range (overcards, scare cards, range cards)
- I have equity + fold equity
- I’m still getting value from worse hands
Example – Cash Game
- You raise CO with A♠ K♠
- BB calls
- Flop: K♦ 7♣ 2♠ → you c-bet, BB calls
- Turn: Q♠
This is a beautiful turn.
- You pick up nut-flush equity
- You block strong Kx
- Worse hands (KJ, KT, 7x, flush draws) still continue
Bet again.
When to Slow Down
I check turns when:
- The turn smashes villain’s range
- I’m against sticky calling stations
- My hand has showdown value but hates a raise
Remember: checking doesn’t mean weakness — it often means control.
2. River Play: Value > Ego
Rivers are where players either print… or light money on fire.
Value Betting the River
Ask yourself:
- What worse hands realistically call?
- How thin is too thin against this opponent?
Example – Tournament Spot
- You raise with Q♠ Q♦
- Board runs: Q♣ 9♠ 6♠ 4♥ 2♦
You have top set.
If your opponent can call with:
- Overpairs? No.
- Two pair? Rare.
- Missed draws? No.
This is a small value bet or a check, not an ego shove.
Great players don’t size for how strong they feel — they size for how weak the caller is.
3. Bluffing Rivers (The Adult Version)
River bluffs should be:
- Credible
- Blocker-based
- Opponent-specific
I bluff rivers when:
- I block the nuts
- The story makes sense from preflop → river
- My opponent can actually fold
If you’re bluffing a calling station, that’s not strategy — that’s charity.
4. Bet Sizing: Stop Using One Size
Turn & river sizing matters more than flop sizing.
My Simple Framework
- Small bets (25–40%) → thin value, cheap bluffs
- Medium bets (50–70%) → strong value, pressure
- Big bets / overbets → polarized (nuts or air)
If you’re betting big without polarization, you’re begging to get paid wrong or snapped off.
Week 5 Homework
Before you click “bet” on the turn or river, force yourself to say:
- What am I representing?
- What hands call?
- What hands fold?
- Am I happy if I get raised?
If you don’t like the answers — check.
Final Thought
Flops are flashy.
Turns build pots.
Rivers decide winners.
Master turn and river play, and your win-rate jumps immediately — in cash games, tournaments, and especially live poker where players hate folding late.
Next week, I’ll dive into Week 6: Board Texture & Range Advantage — how to know who the board actually favors before you put a chip in the pot.
See you at the tables,
Hal ♠️
