8♠7♠ BTN vs BB, turn on T♠ 7♣ 2♣ 9♦, 60 bb
The spot
- You: BTN
- Opponent: BB
- Your hand: 8♠7♠
- Board: T♠ 7♣ 2♣ 9♦
- Effective stack: 60 bb
- Pot: 11.5 bb
Hero arrives on turn with equity and blocker leverage.
What action realizes the most EV in solver baseline?
See the answer
Best play: Raise
Why
The 9♦ turn on T♠7♣2♣ is a huge card for hero: with 8♠7♠ you now have a pair of sevens plus an open-ended straight draw (any 6 or J makes the straight on the T‑9‑8‑7 run). Facing the BB's turn bet, this is a textbook semi-bluff raise — you have showdown equity, a draw to the nuts, and the BB's range is full of one-pair Tx and missed clubs that fold. Raising applies maximum pressure while keeping the lead if you brick and improving to a winner when you hit.
Key idea
A pair plus an open-ended draw is a premium turn raising hand — you win now via folds and later via outs.
Common mistake
Just calling here under-realizes the hand — it lets the BB barrel you off your equity and forfeits the fold equity your draw deserves.