Help me with my thought process

[TIO777]

I am trying to put togehter a flow chart that will help me think better at the table (I'd be studying it beforehand, not actually placing it on the table). I've read SSHE and lurk here a lot but sometimes I forget how to best apply the practices I've learned. Particularly because even at a normal B & M pace, it's a lot to think about.

I came up with what I think might be a good start, but was hoping some of you might share with me some things you think about when making your decisions on what to do at the table.

Pre flop thought process
- What are the table conditions
- What is my position
- What type of hand do I have
- Is my hand likely behind a pre-flop raise (particularly important in offsuit cases)
- Where is the tightest player
- Where is the most agressive player
- Will raising buy me the button
- Can I isolate a loose agressive player with a 3 bet
- Can I close the betting with a cap

On Flop
- What is the size of the pot and how many players are in it
- What is my position relative to the pre-flop agressor
- What is the flop texture
- How certain am I ahead or behind
- Do I have a strong draw (How many outs do I have if behind)
- How vulnerable is my made hand (example - overcards to top pair)
- How much action is there in front of me (# callers/raisers)
- How many players are left to act after me
- Can I raise for value if when I have the best hand
- How likely are my opponents to call if I raise
- Will raising buy me a free card
- Will raising protect my hand
- Can a check trap the field for two bets on the flop
- Can a check trap the field for two bets on the turn (thinking ahead)
- Will a slowplay improve someone to a 2nd best hand

Turn Thoughts
- What is the size of the pot and how many players are in it
- Have I made a hand worth a showdown
- What is my position relative to the flop agressor
- Do I have a strong draw (How many outs do I have if behind)
- How vulnerable is my made hand
- Should I take the free card or bet to eliminate 1-2 opponents and steal pot
- Would a bet/raise eliminate a hand better than mine
- Will a bet/raise/bluff steal the pot
- Will a raise price people into a no win situation
- Would an overcall net more bets than a raise
- If raised, can I find a fold

River thoghts
- Is hand still worth a showdown
- Did the river complete an unexpected draw
- What is my position relative to the turn agressor
- Did a scare card come on the river
- Clarkmeister (Fourth flush card)
- Are there players left to act behind me
- Would a heads-up player fold on the river to a bet with a less than made hand
- How likely is a player to bet without a strong hand either heads-up or multiway

[DeuceKicker]

I think you've given yourself way too much to think about, even as a refresher before a session. This will probably lead to paralysis by analysis more often than it will lead to making good decisions.

The basics (position, odds/outs, etc...) should be ingrained already and you shouldn't need to spend much time thinking about them.

Personally, I think you'd do better to pick maybe one or two topics and focus on spotting opportunities to apply them that session.

Also, post-hand analysis is important.

[Frond]

Agree with Dkicker. Way too much items on your list for anyone to think about. Just stick with a few of the basics. If you only thought about position that would be more than most think about at most tables anyways.

[BigBadBabar]

thoughts on all streets:

good hand: bet and raise
bad hand: fold

what do i win

[TIO777]

I would agree that I've given myself a lot to think about (likely too much). I like the ldea about trying to apply a concept or two each session. That makes a lot of sense. Thanks.

[Frond]

Those are all really good things to think about poker-wise. I think that a lot of them come together when you are involved in a hand after a lot of experience(Something I canuse more of). After a while you won't have to think about a lot of these things, they will start to come naturally. Takes lots of play time.

GL

[Bigka79]

[ QUOTE ]
Those are all really good things to think about poker-wise. I think that a lot of them come together when you are involved in a hand after a lot of experience(Something I canuse more of). After a while you won't have to think about a lot of these things, they will start to come naturally. Takes lots of play time.

GL

[/ QUOTE ]

i agree half the things on this list i dont think about n e more they just come out when playing. although there are some things that i should re assess but i believe when ur a beggining player to take it slow and think about the moment more than isoing and all that crap. when u first start playing play solid poker and take babars advice

bet or raise when u like the hand
fold when u dont

there really rnt too many places to be calling but some will argue im just probably overly aggresive

[Fnord]

I mostly worry about seat and game texture type stuff between hands. I think through what I think the best seat at the table is and what seat is most likely to open up next.

[numbnuts007]

The best thing i've seen for thought processes while playing is Roy Cooke's Real Poker 2: The Play of Hands. I highly recommend it and it sounds like it could do you some good OP.