So, I was wondering if it might help me to try and map out an "ideal system" for progressing through a hand and making some good decisions. Step by step, to help myself think through hands in game (or out of game)
Its too complicated to make one including all scenarios so I am just going to start easy. I assume we are in position of the open raiser and beyond preflop presuming we go to flop it is Heads-Up. I'm sure modifications will be obvious to other situations. If it looks possible I may try to make a flowchart. Ok, first thing is first, preflop! Here goes;
Preflop; One villain raises. No callers before us.
- Villains vpip/pfr and position? Estimate a range. Is our hand better?
If Yes;
- Does the villain call worse hands when we 3bet? Fold to 3bet%
- Will Villain shut down postflop in a 3bet pot if we do 3bet?
- Is there a squeeze happy player behind us or a big fish who we want to call?
If we can get value by 3betting we 3bet, however if we don't get so much value, our play-ability is bad or a big fish/ squeeze happy player is behind us when we have KK+ we call.
If we don't have better hand;
- Villains fold to 3bet% Can we get him to fold the better hand?
- Is the villain vulnerable to floats or being outplayed postflop?
- Can we setmine or play for implieds?
- Is there a big fish behind us who we want to be in a hand with?
- Is there a squeeze happy player behind us who we don't want to get in a hand with?
Decision starting with (a);
We can 3bet if (d) is not true. A player (e) must also not call our raise or 4bet a lot. If we cannot 3bet examine calling or folding.
Decision starting with (b);
We can call and float or own him postflop If players (d) and (e) won't come along for the ride to ruin our spot. If so, go back to point (a) or fold.
Decision starting with (c);
"We can try set-mining if we believe villain has strong opening range and will pay us off a lot" If (d) calls we increase our implieds but if (e) is likely to squeeze we should let go.
Ok, I think that interpretation can get us far as call, fold or 3bet for whatever reason. Before we go to flop we need to know a couple of things;
Things to take with us to the flop
- Why did we call or 3bet preflop?
- What is our plan depending on different flop textures?
- What do we think villain has or is continueing with here?
- What is our percieved range for calling or 3betting?
So before I go any further I want to see if anyone has any comments. Did I miss anything out or mess anything up? I'm not sure how I'm going to turn this mess into a flowchart for the whole hand to be honest, there seems to be way too much information.
I look forwards to your input.
