2 plays I have currently started, in order to reduce getting burnt, and I'd like comments please.

1) hit the flop hard, say trips or 2 pair on a flush draw board. I bet out and get re raised (probably by TPTK or the nut flush). I used to reraise, all in, get called and give the draw a good chance to outdraw me. Which they often do.

So now I tend to just flat call. That was if the flush is complete, I canget away and if it misses, they are less inclined to call my bet and leave themselves on thin ice if they do.


2) If I am being check called or opponent is leading out and by the river, there is the possibility of a straight or better, I check instead of betting out with my 2 pair or set. They have shown a propensity for chasing their straight against the odds and so no point in betting. Better than being reraised all in.

On one hand I think that even all in with top pair against a dominated hand - say KJ vs K7 on K94 board - still gives villain a 25% margin (which seems too much - hence seeing the turn) but the flip side is that should a 7 fall on the turn, it isn't exactly a scare card and so I can walk into trouble - so then I think I should apply the pressure and reraise.

In both situations though, I am not (mathematically) exploiting my advantage and am often check calling with the best hand. I guess I am practising damage limitation but wonder if this can be correct, rather than being one dimensionally aggressive by pushing all in and getting owned by a better hand I misread or getting outdrawn by a 2/1 dog.


Thx.