How can I seem relaxed after monster flops?

[DrewOnTilt]

I think I have a tell. At my low to mid limits the fish probably don't notice, but I'd like to nip it in the bud.

When I flop a good hand - top set, nut straight, etc. - I can feel myself stiffen up like a board, and my heart rate jumps. Last night I flopped the nut straight in a big pot, and I thought that my chest was going to explode. In this case it didn't matter because I was at a table full of fish, but I could feel it nonetheless.

I've tried taking deep breaths, but that doesn't seem to help. I've tried diverting my attention away from the flop, but that seems unnatural and too obvious.

Help?

My advice is this: always try to look like you don't want to be there. Like Phil Ivey.

For instance, you flop the nut straight with AQ suited and a TJK flop, not in your suit. Two of the cards are an offsuit to you and you've got a pretty good feeling that one of your opponents is playing a high pocket pair that they might have tripped.

In this case, instead of concentrating on your nut straight, concentrate on the cards that beat you. Imagine them hitting on the turn or the river. How sick would that be? Imagine the board pairing, or that third club hitting. Now play to maximize the hands profit while trying to isolate other's draws.

I actually don't play live very often, so take my advice with a grain of salt, but thats my advice on the matter.

[Scorpion]

That is my default play also. I flop a monster and instantly imagine the cards which are coming to beat me.

[Triumph36]

Your opponents aren't monitoring your heart rate. As for sitting/stiffening up, I think a lot of this is in your head - or that's what I always think. It's been a while since I've played live, though.

My question would be, what do you do when a flop completely misses you? Do that when the flop hits you in the face. Your heart rate you probably can't control, but your outward appearance you certainly can - always be thinking about your next action, don't rush or take too long. Definitely don't stare away from the table, that's a dead giveaway.

Also remember that the fish are probably going to be giving you money regardless of what you do - they'll say 'i knew you had it, i just had to see it'.

[DrewOnTilt]

[ QUOTE ]
Also remember that the fish are probably going to be giving you money regardless of what you do - they'll say 'i knew you had it, i just had to see it'.

[/ QUOTE ]

How true [img]/images/graemlins/grin.gif[/img]

But I want to fix this before I move up. I plan on trying out the local 10/20 game over the holiday weekend, and that game features some more observant opponents.

Thanks for the feedback, though.

[runout_mick]

I was in the casino playing $1/$2 NL, UTG +1 with AQ. I raise to $8 preflop, and get 4 callers. The flop comes down AAQ, 2 spades. I immediately notice the waitress is very close to me, so I flag her down. I go into detail with her about EXACTLY how I want her to bring my drink.

By this time the table has been waiting and the dealer interrupts me and the waitress, "Sir, it's your action!". I glance casually at the board (I had seen them as they flopped, but noone noticed), and distractedly say "check" and immediately return to my server.

By the time the action returns to me, it has been bet $15, called, and raised to $40. I have about $200 in front of me and push all-in. I get 2 callers, one with A 10, one with K [img]/images/graemlins/spade.gif[/img]J [img]/images/graemlins/spade.gif[/img]. Each player had about $100 in front of them.

That particular hand I think I successfully disguised my interest in the hand just because I was lucky enough to notice a server in close proximity and realize this may be excellent camoflage.

Normally I just try to sit exactly like I do every other hand, but this was SUCH a monster I felt I needed a smokescreen for any erratic behavior I might project.

[bernie]

Experience.

Get snapped a few hundred times after flopping a monster. Then you'll be more, 'let's see if this will hold up/let's see how this goes to showdown' on the flop rather than 'oh wow!' and flipping out of your chair.

Basically, take 1 street at a time.

Remember to breathe. [img]/images/graemlins/grin.gif[/img]

b

[DrewOnTilt]

[ QUOTE ]

Remember to breathe. [img]/images/graemlins/grin.gif[/img]


[/ QUOTE ]

That alone is sometimes a challenge when I limp in after 3 callers with 8 [img]/images/graemlins/club.gif[/img]7 [img]/images/graemlins/club.gif[/img], it gets raised behind me, I call, somebody limp-redonks, and the flop then comes 6 [img]/images/graemlins/club.gif[/img]9 [img]/images/graemlins/diamond.gif[/img]T [img]/images/graemlins/club.gif[/img], which more than made up for all of the times last night that I raised with AQs only to get a flop of King-rag-rag with none of my suit.

Thanks for the advice, though.

[Mikey]

I used to be this way, and there are some remedies.

I used to count backwards from 100 by 3. This takes you mind from one place and brings it to another. Its kind of tough to concentrate on your nut hand when you are doing this.

100, 97, 94, 91.....

Another good way is to think about how you are going to extract the most from this hand and what is the best way to play it, in the meantime, you should be putting others on ranges of hands.

The best way i've handled this is through sheer experience, the more and more you play, and the more and more you experience bad beats, and draw outs and miracle things happening, the less you'll be more excited when you do flop a vulnerable nut like you did and you'll just play it accordingly and accept the result.

[xniNja]

[ QUOTE ]
Experience.

[/ QUOTE ]

The post is titled "How can I seem relaxed after monster flops?" but it really should have been be relaxed. The only reason you wouldn't be relaxed is if you were excited or nervous, neither of which you should ideally be.

It's ok to get excited when you're cashing out, as long as you're parked close by.