Be Flexible In Your Poker Planning

When we’re involved in a hand, there is a measure of both planned moves as well as moves we decide to make on the spot. To some degree, these two ways of going about things are zero-sum, as the more planned moves we initiate, the less spur of the moment moves we can expect to perform. We want to make sure we have a healthy blend of both pre-planned moves (better known as set-plays) and creative decision-making based on the ever-changing conditions we encounter.
If we’re planning on making a move on a future street, we’ll still need to take in and filter any new information that arises along the way. Let’s say that we have identified a player that tends to play weak post-flop. We’ll want to open up our calling-range in position, as well as from the blinds. Let’s say we’re up against this opponent and we have called in position. We’re obviously not calling in position with a hand like King-Jack or Queen-10 only to try and hit our cards on the flop. Knowing that we will miss the flop the majority of the time, we’ll need to work bluffs into the equation. Our intention is to bet the flop if it is checked to us, as well as working in re-raises and folds when we feel it is appropriate.

It’s important to have some kind of idea as to how your opponent will react in various situations; helping us decide which direction we’d like to go in the hand. If an opponent bets smaller than we were expecting on the flop, we might veer away from a call we planned on making. A small bet relative to the pot allows us to re-raise with larger effect — at a reduced price. If our opponent had bet much bigger than we were expecting, say the entire pot or more, we might end up just folding in a spot where we originally intended on continuing in the hand. It’s good to have a plan going into the hand, but it’s better to take a plan into a hand and still be able to evaluate the information and be able to change course when needed.
We also want to make sure that we don’t overly harp on downside scenarios that rarely take place. For example, if you are isolated in a pot on the turn and your opponent has checked it to you — by and large you should just bet. Sometimes you will get check-raised, but this is a profitable situation that shouldn’t be passed on very often. Instead of worrying about a bet that you’re convinced is profitable, it’s best to just remember to make the right move and worry about the consequences later. When you hit the felt be sure to look for spots where you can execute a plan, while having the mental flexibility and willingness to deviate from the plan if a more profitable situation arises.


source : bluff