98/2 Rules: Think Better

Preface:
This is a beyond the basics post. The basics being standard preflop play, positional play, tilt control, bankroll management, table/seat selection, standard betsizing, etc.

Basics:
The rules are simple, 98% of the time you will have standard play postflop, by both you and your villain.
The other 2% is non standard play that may not even be considered until you get to 200nl+.

The Rules:
1. Know your range from all positions and your table image.
2. Know your villains specific range based on his actions.
3. Read the flop texture on EVERY flop before you act.
4. Determine how you will play each hand ONLY after you have read the flop.
5. Only vary your standard play IF you think villain can get past his cards and read your represented range. This is when the 2% will occur.

Explanation:
The rules seem simple, but are actually somewhat complicated. Postflop play is not simple, otherwise everybody who tried would win. The first three rules really all are a part of the same thought process. A basic example is when you raise preflop UTG with XX, villain calls on the BT with YY, and the flop comes ZZZ. How strong is your range here? Are you opening 5/10/20%? What is villains coldcalling range? 2/5/15%? What is the flop texture? Did it hit your range? Is it smack in the middle of his? There are a lot of variables here.

Fortunately for us most villain's play fairly standard. Some may only call PPs, other may call SCs. It helps if you can determine your equity and this comes with experience. Poker stove will help, USE IT. Spend time when you are not playing putting in your ranges, their range, and try different flops. Do your homework. Do not just put in 1 or 2 hands, put in a bunch. Do this for all types of possible flop scenarios, ie when you are the cold caller. Once you have a solid grasp of where you stand on most flops, you can move on to rule 4. This is really where good notes will help. Does villain raise sets on dry flops? Does villain raise good draws? How about weak ones? These types of things will help you develope your plan. In our example, we need to know if cbetting flop ZZZ is profitable? Should we c/f this flop? Is our equity strong enough for a b/3b if they raise? Is this the best line for us to take? Are we better off with a b/f on the flop, because they usualy have 2 pair+ on this rag flop when they raise? If they call, should I double barrel? Which cards should I double barrel here on this flop vs. this villain? If you called preflop, does villlain cbet too much? Double barrel too much? You cannot always determine your turn and river actions on the flop, but have an idea what you want to do before you get there, and also what you might expect from villain.

Rule 5 should not be any of your concern yet. At this point we are getting into level 3+ thinking. If someone is giving you trouble, change tables there are plenty to choose from. Also now you can table/seat select much better, because you can give the standard players position all day without really giving them an inch, while you rape the fish or the spewy regs on your right.


Play solid, know your game and you opponents, and exploit them postflop.

Originally Posted by Jager

If someone is giving you trouble, change tables there are plenty to choose from. Also now you can table/seat select much better, because you can give the standard players position all day without really giving them an inch, while you rape the fish or the spewy regs on your right.

I wish that this was the first thing I learned when I began to play. When you think about it, its an obvious suggestion, but sometimes you get caught up in wanting to stack the person that you lose track of your objective.

Originally Posted by Jager

If someone is giving you trouble, change tables there are plenty to choose from. Also now you can table/seat select much better, because you can give the standard players position all day without really giving them an inch, while you rape the fish or the spewy regs on your right.

This thing alone gives >+2bb/100 in long run.

Really enjoyed this post.

Good one, and surely a sticky?

Originally Posted by Jager

Preface:
The Rules:
3. Read the flop texture on EVERY flop before you act.
4. Determine how you will play each hand ONLY after you have read the flop.

IMO, these two are the crowning jewels in an awesome post. They're so simple to do, and therefore so simple to ignore. Take the time to analyze your play during a bad swing. As an example, most of the time we think we were sucked out on when the villan rivers a straight. But was that really the case? Did you correctly read the board texture and recognize the draw? And did your bet sizing encourage the villan to 'play correctly' by calling? If you encouraged him to play correctly, it's irrelevant weather or not he hit the straight on any paticular hand or not. Over the long term, betting that allows correct play by your opponets is -EV.

These two rules have to become automatic, period.

Awesome post!!