Turn

Definition

The turn is the fourth community card dealt in Texas Hold'em, placed face-up in the center of the table after the flop betting round is complete. It's also called "fourth street" because it's the fourth card revealed during the hand. After the turn card is dealt, there's another round of betting. Players now have six cards to consider — their two hole cards and four community cards — as they figure out their best possible hand.

Example

The flop was K♥ 9♦ 3♠ and both you and your opponent bet through it. You're holding J♥ 10♥ — an open-ended straight draw (meaning any Queen or any 8 would complete your straight). The dealer reveals the turn card: Q♠. You've hit your straight — J-10-Q-K with the 9 also on the board gives you Q-K plus a straight possibility... actually, you have a King-high straight (9-10-J-Q-K). You now have a very strong hand with one card still to come. Your opponent checks. This is an excellent spot to make a large bet and build the pot.

Why It Matters

The turn is where pots get big and decisions get expensive. Bets on the turn are typically twice the size of flop bets, and the pot has usually grown significantly. If you're on a drawing hand (chasing a straight or flush that isn't complete yet), the turn is a critical moment: with only one card left to come, you need good pot odds or implied odds to justify continuing. Many beginners make the mistake of calling large turn bets with weak draws that don't have the right odds. Understanding the turn helps you know when to keep fighting for the pot — and when to let a hand go.