[blundy]

[ QUOTE ]
This is an interesting point. You're saying you'd rather lose a bet looking for value than not take the chance to get the value. Right?

[/ QUOTE ]

Exactly.

<disclaimer> I hope this doesn't come off as too pompous, but I've spent a lot of time thinking about this subject lately. I am sure it's nothing new to anyone here, but it never hurts to discuss things we already know.</disclaimer>

It has a lot to do with the fundamental differences between limit and big-bet poker. Playing no-limit or pot-limit our opponents mistakes can be infrequent but still large enough to keep our earn high. But with limit poker they'll never be able to make big (in terms of EV) mistakes, so we have to make sure they make LOTS of mistakes. A lot of times they'll make them all by themselves, but we have to give them as many opportunities as possible. Even if that means risking a FTOP mistake ourselves.

Every time I see my opponents hand and know that I could have eeked out an extra bet somewhere, I feel like I robbed myself. Of course, there are times when a hand plays in such a way that I could never find the extra bet, but I have to keep looking for them.

-Blake