Raise in the last round, poker strategy

Lets say you have a really good hand and by studying the cards on the table think that anyone is going to struggle to beat you then wait until the last round to raise. If there is 1 or 2 other players who are still in and have put some decent money in the pot then they are going to be reluctant at this late stage to just let you take the pot without making you show your cards and may add even more money to the pot to make you do this.

If you raise too early in the game, you are showing to everyone you have a good hand (unless you are bluffing) and you could well scare off some players from adding anymore money to the pot.

You must remember though that if you have a good starting hand that you don't want someone with a weaker hand developing a good hand when the flop, tunr & river are dealt. If you think that this could happen you are going to have to weigh up the options, it may be better in some instances to try and get someone to fold if you can see the chance of a better hand developing!

The same works the other way round too, make sure you don't get pot-committed and lose more than you should!