Every card that comes onto the table in a hand of poker is an opportunity for your hand to be drawn out on. Unless you are the one doing the drawing, for each card that comes you must be constantly vigilant for how the new card affects the board: what possible hands the new card makes, how likely it is that card actually hits your poker opponent, what new possibilities it adds to you hand, etc.

Sometimes, then, if you believe your opponent is drawing, even when you have a big hand it can be better to put an end to the hand rather than string along more money in hopes they do not hit. Players who do not protect their hand from draws in the right spots will find themselves not only losing the pot, but giving more money to it to have it proven that they actually lost.

The best way to protect your hand when you know you have the best but it is vulnerable is to bet enough in relation to the pot that it is not worthwhile for your opponent to continue. As much or more than is in the pot forces your opponent to pay against the odds to catch up and suck out on your hand. Remember this at the casino.