Don't get stuck calling raises if you have a strong hand that could easily be the worst hand
This is another flaw for beginners that must be avoided at all costs. Let’s say you have 8h-9h and the flop is 10c-Js-Qs. Everyone checks to you and you bet. Everyone calls. The turn is a Qh. Again, everyone checks, you bet and they all call. On the river, a Ks drop. One player suddenly comes out betting and then next play raises. Now in this spot, it’s true that you still have a straight. But the bettor and the raiser could have many different hands that could beat you.
For example, one may have A-10 (giving him an ace high straight) and the other could have 5s-6s (giving him a flush). One may even have a hand like K-Q or Q-J, giving him a full house. In any event, you cannot call raises on river in this situation, even though you have a straight. There are simply too many hands that could beat you here.
Another good example would be this: you have 5s-6s and the flop is Js-9s-4s. You have flopped a flush and on most occasions, you will have the best hand. On the flop and turn, two players check to you and call after you bet. The river is a Qs. Again, the first player comes out betting and the second one raises. In this spot, you are almost certainly up against the ace of spades (giving him an ace high flush). You should not start paying off raises on the river in this spot because any player with a spade in the hole that is higher than 6 will have you beat. Don’t make the elementary mistake of paying it off, simply because you have a “flush.”
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