PokerWorks

It's Not All About The Cards

This assignment is relatively simple on the surface. You are to use the pre-flop betting assignment for what hands you are to play and from what position There is one exception - anytime you are first to act from the cutoff or later (and this includes the SB), you are free to make a steal raise.

The key to post-flop betting is to always be in control. Often the person who wins the pot will be the person who bet and/or raised. Checking and calling is usually not the way to play post-flop (although there are some exceptions).

You are to play a minimum of three to five poker tournaments at an online site such as Pokerstars or Full Tilt. You are to do the following post-flop based upon your pre-flop actions:

NOTES - for the purposes of this assignment you are to use your best judgment when you see the statements "You feel the pot is worth proceeding with." That means, if you think you have a hand that warrants further action and/or play, then you are to proceed under that part of the assignment. In addition, any time you have bet and/or raised and are raised/re-raised, you are to use your best judgment as to whether you should re-raise, call or fold. The main purpose of this assignment is not to teach you to read your opponents, it's to show you proper post-flop betting tactics. Last - if any bet or raise you make is going to put 1/2 of your chips in the middle or more, go all in. This assignment is to not be used once you have less then 15x the BB. Also note, that the standard bet amount for the purposes of this assignment is 1/2 pot, this does not mean that I do not think this is the only bet you should ever make, but for the purposes of this assignment it is the only first to act bet I want you to make.

If an unusual situation warrants deviating from the rules of this assignment, use your best discretion in proceeding (example, a bet of 150 into a pot with 6000 in it).

I. FLOP
1) If you raised or re-raised pre-flop and are first to act:
    a) If there were two callers or less, bet half the pot regardless of what the flop is.
    b) If there were three callers or more, bet half the pot only if you feel your hand is worth proceeding with, otherwise check and fold.

2) If you raised or re-raised pre-flop and are not first to act:
    a) If there is a bet that is less than 25% of the pot size, raise 3x the     amount of the original bet. For example, say the pot is 2000 and player A     bet 400. Raise that bet 1200. Do this regardless of what the flop is.
    b) If there is a bet that is more than 25% of the pot size but less than 75% of the pot size:
        1) And the flop missed you completely - fold.
        2) You feel the pot is worth proceeding with, raise 2x the amount of the original bet. For example, say the pot is 2000 and player A bets 1200. Raise that bet 2400.
    c) If there is a bet that is more than 75% of the pot size:
        1) And the flop missed you completely - fold.
        2) You feel the pot is worth proceeding with, raise the amount of the original bet. For example, say the pot is 2000 and player A bets 2000. Raise that bet 2000.

3) If you called pre-flop and are first to act:
    a) If there were two callers or less, bet half the pot regardless of what the flop is.
    b) If there were three callers or more, bet half the pot only if you feel your hand is worth proceeding with, otherwise check and fold.

4) If you called pre-flop and are not first to act:
    a) If there is a bet that is less than 25% of the pot size and no calls/raises of that bet, raise 3x the amount of the original bet. For example, say the pot is 2000 and player A bet 400. Raise that bet 1200. Do this regardless of what the flop is.
    b) If there is a bet that is more than 25% of the pot size but less than 75% of the pot size and no calls/raises of that bet:
        1) And the flop missed you completely - fold.
        2) You feel the pot is worth proceeding with, raise 2x the amount of the original bet. For example, say the pot is 2000 and player A bets 1200. Raise that bet 2400.
    c) If there is a bet that is more than 75% of the pot size and no calls/raises of that bet:
        1) And the flop missed you completely - fold.
        2) You feel the pot is worth proceeding with, raise the amount of the original bet. For example, say the pot is 2000 and player A bets 2000. Raise that bet 2000.
    d) If any bet is called or raised, fold unless you have a very strong hand (i.e. trips, straight, flush or full house). Top pair is no good here - toss it.

II. TURN and RIVER

1) Bluffing hand that was called on the flop.
    A) First to act - check and fold.
    B) Not first to act - if bet into, fold. If checked to you, bet half the pot unless you are on the river and were called on the flop, then use your best judgment in proceeding.

2) Medium strength hand (i.e. top pair, bad kicker, underpair with one overcard, middle pair with draw).
    A) First to act - bet half the pot, fold to any raise.
    B) Not first to act - if bet into, fold. If checked to you, bet half the pot if you feel the bet will win the pot, otherwise use your best discretion in proceeding.

3) Strong hand (i.e. top pair, good kicker, two pair).
    A) First to act - bet half the pot, use your best judgment if raised.
    B) Not first to act - if bet into, raise 2x their bet amount. If raised, use your best judgment. If checked to you, bet half the pot.
4) Monster hand (i.e. a hand that is the nuts or close to it).
    A) First to act - bet half the pot, if raised, re-raise the amount of their raise. For example, say the pot is 2000 and you bet 1000 and player A raises it  2000 more, raise player A 2000.
    B) Not first to act - if bet into, raise the amount of their raise. If checked to you, bet half the pot.

When you are done, answer the following questions for your own benefit.

1)    What did you think of the standard 1/2 pot bet whenever you were the first person to place a bet.
2)    What things were you uncomfortable with and why?
3)    What did you think of betting whenever you missed the flop? How did it work out for you when you did bet in these situations?
4)    What did you think of the raises called for by this assignment? Benefits/Disadvantages?
5)    What did you learn from this assignment?

In the next section, I'll conclude this assignment as well as provide an explantion for the purpose of the ½ pot (or similar size) bet.