A♣Q♣ SB vs BTN, turn on J♣ 8♦ 5♠ Q♠, 105 bb
The spot
- You: SB
- Opponent: BTN
- Your hand: A♣Q♣
- Board: J♣ 8♦ 5♠ Q♠
- Effective stack: 105 bb
- Pot: 10 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 Q♠ turn on J♣8♦5♠ pairs your hand: A♣Q♣ now holds top pair top kicker, and that queen is the top card on the board, putting you ahead of the BTN's jacks, draws, and many of the second pairs it floated the flop with. Out of position you check, then check‑raise the BTN's turn bet for value: you want to build the pot now while you are clearly ahead, charge the flush and straight draws this connected board contains, and deny the BTN cheap realization in position. Raising turns your strong made hand into a value bet rather than letting the BTN control the pot from behind.
Key idea
When the turn gives you top pair top kicker OOP on a draw-heavy board, check‑raise for value and to charge the draws.
Common mistake
Just calling with TPTK on this wet board lets draws see the river cheaply and underprices your now-clear lead.