What to focus on during the hand?

I'd like to get some feedback from some of the more experienced players here. I'd like to know what it is you focus on during various parts of the hand. Specifically, what are you looking at and thinking about during these phases:


1) Pre-flop, while the dealer is shuffling and when she deals.

2) During the pre-flop betting.

3) When the flop hits, and any betting.

4) When the turn card hits, and any betting.

5) When the river card hits, and any betting.


I'm assuming it's going to be the same things for each betting round, but do you look at your cards first, then at the players, or vice versa?

Do you focus on specific players, depending on who's in the hand?


Any info would be most appreciated!


GB

Well, personally I think that what you are primarily paying attention to at the table is going to be determined by what limit you are playing at. If you are playing LL (3/6) then trying to read players is most often times futile. At higher limits this is much more important, although certainly not the most important.


Another thing worth noting is that since you will be out of more hands than you are in (i hope) it's very important to watch what other players at your table will raise, call, CR with in various positions. When there are showdown's make sure that you inbed that information into your memory as it will probably be some of the most valuable information you will gain at the table - and this goes for any limit.


As for me, I tend to not watch the board during the flop - I watch other players that are in the hand. It's hard to read many players but some might as well have a sign flashing above their head "COOL 2 SPADES!!" "SWEET AN ACE!!!" or even better, "DAMNIT! I MISSED!". If you can find the one or two at the table that often broadcast this way you are well on your way to if anything - dipping into their stack. :-)


I usually play at the lower limits - 3/6 4/8 and spread games and have noted over many sessions that it's very difficult to read most players at this level because they are simply playing 'their' hand with little or no regard to how other people are betting or checking into them and certainly with no regard for position. Most LL players will play KQo from EP the exact same way they would play it on the button with 2 limpers and blinds that don't defend well.


Other than that I'd just take some advice from HPFAP when it comes to playing in loose/passive games. Don't act like you are some serious bad-ass player and fret over every decision at the table. You simply encourage looser players to play more correct against you accidentaly. When you are in loose/passive games don't take a bunch of time to mull over your bet/check/call. Get in there quick and don't make a fuss about it.


Just my .02 anyway - not sure if it helped any.

1) Pre-flop, while the dealer is shuffling and when she deals.

When is the coctail waitress going to reach our table?

2) During the pre-flop betting.

What will I order when the coctail waitress arrives?

3) When the flop hits, and any betting.

Will the coctail waitress get my order correct?

4) When the turn card hits, and any betting.

Is that the same coctail waitress I just placed my order with?

5) When the river card hits, and any betting.

Where the hell is that darn coctail waitress? Oh yeah, I need a chiprunner after this last hand.........


I'm assuming it's going to be the same things for each betting round, but do you look at your cards first, then at the players, or vice versa?

Cards first and then players then (yep you guessed it) the coctail waitress.

Do you focus on specific players, depending on who's in the hand?

Only if the coctail waitress is sitting in for a hand or two.


Now tell me honestly, did you really appreciate my info? /images/smile.gif


JImbo

Er, yes, thank you JIMBO. Clearly I have been focusing on the wrong things entirely, thank you for setting me straight. /images/smile.gif


GB

Thanks Sucka, some good thoughts there. I figured that while I'm still in low limit, now would be a good time to start honing my hand reading skills, before I move up.


It's probably a bad sign that I can't tear my eyes off the flop until after I know exactly what's there. I'll have to practice watching the people in the hand first.


GB

I play online, so I surf the porn sites until the window comes up telling me it's my turn to act.


No seriously, I count bets on all rounds. I try to follow the action noting who's betting and raising on which rounds, and who's calling raises cold before the flop, and on which rounds. I don't try to read their hands when I'm not in a hand. I watch what they showdown with and see how they played. Between hands I sometimes try to summarize what I know about each player. Who is weak, who can I bluff, who should I induce to bluff, who shouldn't I bluff, who shouldn't I think is bluffing, who should I try to isolate? If I'm in a hand against a player I will first think about what I know about him, and then how the action has progressed, then finally the board before I make my decision. I count my outs and adjust them for ones that may not be clean and take into account any implied odds. I think about what my opponent thinks I have and what he thinks I put him on. Most importantly I make sure I treat every hand I'm in as a test and pause to make sure I consider everything I can. I take the full two seconds to make sure I consider all these things perfectly every time (yeah). This has helped me alot lately as even an occasional mistake can eradicate your advantage. If I continuously lose track of the action or start making mistakes I figure it's time to quit unless the game is soft.

focus on the flop and what you hold. any bets? any raises? do i have a nut flop? how many outs do i have? do i bet,call or raise? where the hell did they get this dealer from?

Try to be careful not to give off a flop tell yourself. If you are staring down the flop that hard, you may well give someone a read on where you stand. I've found that playing a lot online can influence this; you can flop quads sitting at your PC, let out a yell, and your opponets will never know; you can't get away with that in a live game.


May the flop be with you.


Fitz