post flop play

I generally play preflop very well. I am familiar with Sklansky, Hellmuth, Andy Bloch and other's ideas on how to play the first two cards. I keep a chart in front of me while I play and I am very aware of position. When I choose to get involved in a hand I usually have something worth playing.

After those first three cards hit the table, its a different story. I cringe when I think of all the times that I have chased with middle pair or top pair weak kicker, or top pair on an obvious flush or straight board that was getting action. I often seem to play with blinders on. Never mind that half the table is betting into me my cards are all that count and I think my pair of sixes will be fine, thank you very much.

Well, in the last two weeks, I have been reading Miller, Sklansky, and Malmuth's "Small Stakes Hold 'em" and something seems to have clicked. Near the beginning of the book the authors comment that most people focus too much on starting hands when what they need to do is focus on playing the flop well. I took those words to heart and I have been reading and rereading the post flop material. It seems to be helping. I am looking at a board in terms of potential flush draws and how connected it is. If my pocket kings catch a rainbow flop with junk I feel like I'm the favorite and I play like it. If a flop comes down with two suited cards and some connectors I slow my roll if there is raising or bet to protect my hand as needed.

The thing that really sets Sklansky's books apart from a lot of poker books is that he doesn't focus on giving you cut and dried cookie cutter answers. Instead he teaches you what questions to ask. He shows you how to analyze the game.

Its getting late so that's all for now but next time I'll review my first two playing sessions since I started this blog and committed my self to playing serious poker and making money.