Re: 5 Things To Do Pre-Flop
Assuming this is NLHE...
1) check your hand (your 2 hole cards)
2)check the situation (action in front of you)
.. and put each of your opponents on a rough range of hands for that action based on your reads or stats and the action itself
3)check your position (in relation to the button)
... and your relative position in relation to the preflop raiser, as well as how many (and what types of) players still have to act behind you preflop
4) check your opponents (their table image & previous experiences w/ them &
this should be part of step 2, putting opponents on a likely range of hands based on the action, their position, and their image.
5) pot odds (the odds the amount of chips in the pot are giveing you to draw if you don't currently have the best hand based on #4.
... and implied as well as reverse implied odds based on your hand, what you expect to flop, and your position (both relative and absolute).
6. SPR (Stack to Pot ratio)
7. Target SPR vs player(s) you expect to go to the flop with you.
8. Draft a basic plan for your hand to maximize your EV (i.e. flop a set or check/fold; bet any flop, give up if I miss and get raised or called; float any dry flop and bet the turn if checked to because the preflop raiser c/f's the turn when he misses the flop, but bets the turn when he hits the flop; etc.).
Be flexible post flop and adjust the plan as needed, but you should have a plan.
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