Mental Check list

[zephyr]

Hi all,

I don't typically post on this portion of the form as I primarily play 1-table tournaments, and so find myself posting in that section mostly. However, I've been working on creating a small "checklist" of things to consider when I find myself faced with a tough decision. Similar to lots of you I typically play between 3 and 6 tables at a time and so often decisions are made too quickly without giving them enough thought (good old autopilot mode).

Well, poker being a game of logic, and being highly linear in nature, I've come up with a short checklist to guide my thought process when making tough decisions. I'd like some feedback on it if anyone cares to. Here we go:

Step 1:

Define Hand: Current hand, Draws

Step 2:

Notice number of opponents

Step 3:

Notice number of opponents yet to act

Step 4:

Define hands that have you beat

Step 5:

Define draw hands

Step 6:

Consider pot size and pot odds

Step 7:

Consider stack size and implied odds

Step 8:

Consider betting pattern leading up to this point

Step 9:

Put opponent(s) on a range of hands

Step 10:

Consider opponents hand(s) based on betting pattern

Step 11:

Consider opponent, any reads, previously noticed plays etc.

Step 13:

Decide

Like I said, pretty rough. Comments, suggestions, flames!

Zephyr

[Monty Cantsin]

Very nice!

I would add a couple more psycho-analytical type steps.

What's the table "weather" - what's the general texture and mood, is it moving one way or another? What's the history between myself and these players? Have we tangled recently? What do these players think of me? What do they think of each other? What range of hands are they likely to put me on?

That's the kind of stuff I try to think about.

/mc

[Odder]

nice list

[zephyr]

Thanks for the reply, I've added a few steps

Step 1:

Define Hand: Current hand, Draws

Step 2:

Notice number of opponents

Step 3:

Notice number of opponents yet to act

Step 4:

Define hands that have you beat

Step 5:

Define draw hands

Step 6:

Consider pot size and pot odds

Step 7:

Consider stack size and implied odds

Step 8:

Consider betting pattern leading up to this point

Step 9:

Put opponent(s) on a range of hands

Step 10:

Consider opponents hand(s) based on betting pattern

Step 11:

Consider opponent, any reads, previously noticed plays etc.

Step 13:

Consider the mood of the table; Notice the limit.

Step 14:

Consider what opponent thinks you have.

Step 15:

Review you betting pattern

Step 16:

Consider what opponent will think you have based on your betting pattern and future move

Step 17:

Decide

I think that I'll probably need to streamline this a touch, but is there anything else I should really be considering?

Zephyr

[Dov]

In defining the draws, you may want to define the current nuts and, 2nd nuts, 3rd nuts, and where you are relative to that.

In addition, count your outs and discount your outs realtive to pot size.

I like your approach. I use a similar tech for evaluating regular opponent's play.

[Kirkrrr]

Lots of things to consider playing 3-6 tables at once /images/graemlins/smile.gif However, I think that the most important one you put last (best for last?) - your opponent. I found that every time I lost a lot of money in a single hand, 80% of the time it was against opponents that an hour earlier I mentally cautioned myself against.

-"Okay, Kirk, try to avoid him."
-"Mmmm... good hand!"
-"Doh! ... forgot who I was playing. Re-buy!"

Everything else is obviously extremely important, but now I tend to weigh my decisions very heavily based on who I'm playing against. Of course, I'm talking strickly NL here.

just my 2c worth

Kirk R.

[Kirkrrr]

[ QUOTE ]
In addition, count your outs and discount your outs realtive to pot size.


[/ QUOTE ]

Could you elaborate on that, please? This is something new to me, I think...

Kirk R.

[theredpill]

discounted outs

Say there are two hearts on the flop and one spade. You hold the A /images/graemlins/spade.gif and A /images/graemlins/diamond.gif . An Ace on the turn or river will give you three of a kind but an A /images/graemlins/heart.gif on turn or river could give your oppenent a flush. So you have to discount your outs and subtract the A /images/graemlins/heart.gif out.

[Kirkrrr]

Ahhh... gotcha. Thanks.

[Schneids]

Am I the only one that noticed there's no 12th step? /images/graemlins/smile.gif

Regardless, great list. I'm planning on sending it to some friends.

[BarronVangorToth]

Definitely a cool list.... I won't kid you, I'm not memorizing it or anything, but it's a good reminder of that there is lots to always keep in mind. Something I have to do in a few hours as I head up to the mean streets of Uncasville and their "little" casino of Foxwoods with my dear ol' dad who last night said he wanted to hang out with his son and play poker. I might cry on the way to pick him up. Or not. Especially if I have to listen to stories about the old country.

Barron Vangor Toth
www.BarronVangorToth.com (http://www.BarronVangorToth.com)