It depends. And it's GOOD that it depends

We've got a lot of new guys here, and there are a lot of posts esp. in Beginner's Circle along the lines of "did I play this right" (this isn't a complaint. Keep posting those hand histories)

Although there's a strategically superior play, a generally-more-profitable play, even what some would dare call the "correct" play, the standard answer is "it depends" and here's why.

We don't know half the important variables. You post your HH; we only know the cards. Who's at the table? What do they think of you? That guy betting into you -- did you swipe a tasty pot from him a few minutes ago?

Poker is more complicated than chess (ducks bolt of lightning from chess gods)

Here's why it's good that it depends:

Even the superior play, were it possible to process all the variables, should not be what you do every time. Good players at the table will detect your patterns. So mix it up, deliberately -- even stupidly (in moderation). It's critical that opponents not be able to read your hand accurately.

When you've got a set of aces, you should bet 'em out. But now and then go ahead and slowplay them. Let someone suck out if that's what it takes. Show your aces. Next time you're sitting there check-calling they're going to wonder.

As Mike Caro says, this is the most profitable hand you can play:
Qc Th 7s 5d 2h

(the profit comes later)

Excellent points LeFou. So much in poker is "you had to have been there" types of situations. The more background, the better.

Good Post LeFou

{made Sticky}

classic line from rounders

"like having small pair against 2 over cards, you go with your gut"

Originally Posted by jmontis

classic line from rounders

"like having small pair against 2 over cards, you go with your gut"

Actually, I don't think this is at all what LeFou was saying.

And can you really have a 'classic' line from a mediocre film?

Originally Posted by Molinero

Actually, I don't think this is at all what LeFou was saying.

Quite right. Going with yr gut = very dangerous, and here's why:

People generally want to give and get action, to play. Consequently, your "gut" is going to lean towards calling whenever your head permits it.

Got a smal pair versus two overcards? Are you damn sure opp will bet an unimproved AK? Then you're good. Otherwise you're looking for reasons to call, and you're blaming it on ESP.

Originally Posted by Molinero

And can you really have a 'classic' line from a mediocre film?

Oh, dear Molinero. Hudson Hawk has at least half a dozen classic lines in it.

Originally Posted by LeFou

Quite right. Going with yr gut = very dangerous, and here's why:

People generally want to give and get action, to play. Consequently, your "gut" is going to lean towards calling whenever your head permits it.

I don't necessarily agree with this. If you are able to correctly interpret your "gut feeling," it can be a lot of help when you are forced to make a decision.

If you have a chance, read the book "Blink" by Malcom Gladwell. It makes some compelling arguments for the human ability to make good near-instantaneous judgements based on experience given incomplete information (he refers to it as "thin-slicing").

Ty... don't tell that to the new guys Gut feeling is not a prophet of infinite truth speaking through your stomach, it's the result of alot of experience and alot of mistakes.

Thanks that made alot of sense. Good post : )

As a new player, I can certainly verify that my gut feel is almost always leaning toward betting. When I neglect to weigh what it tells me vs what my eyes and mind are seeing, I often end up in tricky situations, or worse. So one of the things I'm working on is having more patience than my gut does.

Hey guys. I'm new here. (pretty obvious by the number of posts) I can completely identify with the whole "I wanna play" mentality. I find myself calling blinds or raises I really shouldn't just because I want to be in on the flop. I'm doing all I can to work on my patience right now...

by the way, great post LeFou

my problem right now seems to be making stupid bluffs, all-in bet/calls when i pretty much know i'm beat

every time i do it, i'd like to think that i learnt my lesson but i always make one of these every time i play, thus costing me my whole stack

it's amazing how fast your fortunes can turn sour with just one bad decision..poker's really an amazing game...lol