Q♠J♠ BTN vs BB, turn on Q♣ 8♦ 4♠ 2♠, 65 bb
The spot
- You: BTN
- Opponent: BB
- Your hand: Q♠J♠
- Board: Q♣ 8♦ 4♠ 2♠
- Effective stack: 65 bb
- Pot: 13 bb
Advanced node: capped range attack opportunity.
Best advanced line?
See the answer
Best play: Check
Why
Turn (Q♣ 8♦ 4♠ | 2♠). Hero holds top pair Queens with a Jack kicker plus a spade flush draw (Q♠ J♠ over the 4♠ 2♠). The BB checked into the in-position BTN on a dry board, so their range is capped, but this is a medium made hand with a draw, not a polar holding. Checking keeps the pot small, realizes the flush-draw equity for free, and protects the bluff‑catchers behind, rather than bloating the pot with a one-pair hand.
Key idea
Top pair with a flush draw on the turn is a control hand in position: checking lets you realize equity cheaply and keep the capped BB's bluffs in.
Common mistake
Overbetting one pair plus a draw as if it were the nuts, ballooning the pot when worse hands fold and only better hands or live draws continue.