While all stages of a hand are important, poker essentially remains a post-flop betting game. All the pre-flop action presented in the sections before is meant to give players better odds for the post-flop stage, which really matters. A hand is virtually decided on the betting following the flop (when players already have their hands 70% set), and on the turn.

The betting stage following the turn will also decide the size of the pot the winner takers down. The post-river betting is a mere formality, where strategic moves started earlier are pushed through. It is the final stage of the execution.

All the more advanced poker moves (like check-raising and semi-bluffing) come into play on the post-flop betting. Let’s say you’re chasing a 4 card flush or an open ended straight. Someone bets into you, and you raise him/her, thus pulling a semi-bluff.

This does not only have the potential of generating more value on your hand in case you do hit your outs, it can also give you a free card on the turn in case you miss. After your show of strength, people might just become more cautious against you on the turn. A solid bet there might even make them fold their better hand(s)

 If you’re holding something really solid, you should always aim to get your opponents pot committed on the turn. It always pays to chase a four card flush past the flop, except when the flop is one suited and you have the fourth card to it. In that case – if there are still many players in the game – only chase if you have the K or the A. If you have some lower card it might all turn into a huge suck-out. When there are fewer players, you may want to chase with lower cards as well.

If your flush does hit on the turn, you need to get people pot committed. That way, it’ll be much easier to get them all-in on the river for full value.