Playing Post-Flop
03/19/2010
The first decision every online poker player makes is whether to play pocket cards at all. If you do decide to call the blinds and enter the pot, then the next big decision is what to do post-flop. Once the flop comes out, there are several factors to consider. Get in the habit of analyzing the flop using these criteria: * Just how strong is your poker online hand in relation to the flop? Did it connect in any way? These two simple questions could lead you to fold right away. * When unsure about folding, then determine how many players are still involved. Remember, the more players, the tougher it is to win and nearly impossible to bluff with two others still in contention. * Did anyone raise pre-flop and from what position? If so, is it reasonable to expect this player to continue to bet aggressively? * If you are on a draw, how many outs do you have to complete your poker hand? Then calculate the pot odds – how big is the pot in relation to the amount you have to bet. * Are there any draws on the board better than your own? If you are going for a straight, is there a flush possibility out there for another player? * Can you get a good read on what the other players might be holding? Some players are easier to predict than others – for instance, a tight player must be holding strong cards to have seen a flop. * What is your position in the betting order? * Are you willing to call a bet now, then fold on the turn or river when your draw misses? This sounds like a like to think about, but for any reasonably good poker player, these thoughts become second nature once the flops comes out.