It's sort of hard to describe, but personally I think a lot of it comes from experience and the ability to determine, based upon reads (eg. from HUD stats), betting patterns, position, stack sizes etc, whether you are likely to be ahead or behind.

Sometimes it can be a very very close decision and could go either way, and can be completely different based upon reads on a player. For example, at a $5.50 against an unknown player something like AK that hits an A or K on the flop is very often the best hand, if they have a random two pair or set then I pay them. However, against a winning regular player at a $60 turbo giving me serious action on a rainbow A72 flop I am probably getting out.

Quote Originally Posted by Thunder
I guess it was just another example of not knowing where I am or what is going on, who has what. Holding QQ, an ace hits the flop and someone bets - where am I? If I make a straight but there's a possible flush, where am I etc?
For the QQ situation, see the hand I posted in the SNG forum - although it's not identical it is similar. For the straight on a flush board, like most things it depends. Do you have the nut straight or do you have the arse end? What has the betting pattern been like so far? How many players in the pot? What are stack sizes relative to the pot? All these things are relevant considerations.