Building a Poker Player - NLHE part 3 - After the Flop

Here's the flop, and one of several things has happened.

1. There's no match to my hand. If I have AA or KK, I will check or call, to see another card. The hand might improve on later streets. I will fold or check to any other hole cards.

2. I hit a monster on the flop - a straight with my cards on top, a full house, or trips (also called three of a kind). Early or late position, I'll make a small bet. Middle position, I'll call or make a small raise - but if there's already a raise, and I'm pretty sure I have the best hand, I'll raise until either the other player(s) fold, or one of us is all in.

3. I have two pair or four cards to a straight or flush. I'll usually call here, and fold to an aggessive raise unless I have ace-high, which I will call.

If I'm still in the hand on fourth street, it's evaluation time. If I have made my hand, how many other hands could beat me, given what's on the board? Is there a possibility of a flush or a better flush? Is there a pair on the board that could hide a full house? Could trips hide four of a kind (quads)?

Unless I have a fantastic hand, I'll usually check to see if anyone likes their hand enough to raise big. A big raise says I'd better cut my losses and fold. If I have at least a good made hand, I'll call or make a small raise.

But if I'm in last position, and everyone has checked, I'll try a bet equal to twice the big blind whether I have something or not. If anyone raises, I may fold even if I'm pretty sure I have the best hand. I've been wrong in this case more often than not, but I keep in mind that I have won hands with 22 after players try to win with ace high.

Now we come to the river. If my hand is made, is it the best possible hand with this board? If I think it is, I'll bet. I might even bet all in.

Yes, at this point in my development, I'm a conservative player. I rarely bluff unless I'm reasonably sure nobody else has a hand. I can be pushed off a winning hand by well-timed aggression.

But my stats in tournaments are improving. These days, I usually finish in the pay-out, and occasionally in the top 4 or 5 players. I've taken first a few times. I'm getting better.

Am I ready for the big time yet? No. I'll get into a 10,000 player tournament on a site like PokerStars and finish in the top 300 - not high enough to be paid. When I consistently place in the pay-out, it will be time to think about the big time.