when to and when not to narrow the field

[johnnyblaze]

I usually play my strong draws somewhat aggressively. (straight flush draws or open ended straights) This tends to limit the field by the time i hit my draw. Therefore not as many people in the pot to try and bluff my nuts or have a nice hand of thier own to call my bets with. I bet my draws because i can win the pot by them folding or i will sometimes make my hand and win anyway. So I am curious if there are situations where i should be calling bets instead of making them. Again i much rather be the aggressor but just want a second opinion because sometimes i dont make my draw and put myself in an awkward position and i thought this might be a leak

[Digs]

It really depends on how many people are in the pot and how big the pot is.

The general rule is generally passive multi and aggressive shorthanded.

This stems from the EV of bluffing being much higher HU/SH.

[mythrilfox]

In general you should be calling and not raising when there are lots of people in, the bet is relatively small (or you have a good price on a call), and you are closing the action. In big multiway pots I tend not to play draws as aggressively since you have less semi-bluff equity against multiple opponents. Plus, you always hope that the card that makes your flush makes someone else trips.

One important exception noted in SSHE (but also applies to NL) is to play aggressively with a hand like AKs where you have 2 overcards and a flush draw. Of course, it depends on the nature of the flop, but by limiting the field you increase the odds your pair outs are clean.

I also tend to play OE straight-flush draws very strong regardless of how many people are in, simply because they are so strong and you get such a good price on them.