Post-flop includes all the decisions made after dealing with the flop. This should help you to differentiate this term from “pre-flop” play, which refers to all the actions that happen before dealing with any community cards.
Of course, post-flop is still an important part of the game. Otherwise, poker would be a really simple game if it came to an end pre-flop, with all the hands being merely turned over and given the permission to realize their entire equity every single time.
It is evident that a lot of amateur players make a couple of errors with their hand selection pre-flop. However, the gravity of these errors becomes even more visible post-flop.
So, most of the action takes place post-flop, with the majority of information becoming accessible to players. If you want to become a professional player post-flop, you need focused learning and experience.
Even though it might take quite a long time to master this, you can jumpstart your post-flop knowledge by looking through basic but important strategy advice. While post-slop is usually complicated, this article describes 8 strategies that should help you to improve your poker skills. So, reading through it can make decision-making post-flop easier for you!
Vary the Size of Your Bet
Usually, players who are good at the game tend to figure out your betting habits. However, a recreational player will rarely pay enough attention to pick them up.
So, you can easily vary the size of your bets depending on your hand’s quality and board without having to lose any value. As long as this strategy works in your favor, and they aren’t shifting to your post-flop plays, then you should vary the size of your bets quite transparently, mainly in live games, since it is easy to get away with.
Apply Pressure on Hard Boards
A recreational player won’t be really good in circumstances where he/she has a relatively strong hand, but can’t identify your range. So, if you apply pressure on hard boards, it can turn out to be a very profitable hack. For instance, as you defend the big blind against a person that you assume is tight; then, your go-to signal should be a middling connected flop.
If you have any type of equity, then you should occasionally throw in a check-raise followed by a turn bet. This will make your opponents squirm even further.
Expect the Unexpected
During post-flop play, recreational players tend to be quite the wild card. During pre-flop, their objective is mainly to get to the flop, to see whether they can connect. However, once the flop is put here, you can’t tell their next move.
In some cases, you will experience a check-raise all-in, in the most unlikely position. In some instances, for a small bet, they will throw away a monster draw just because they don’t seem to be feeling it. According to the New York Times, recreational players go about the game differently.
At the same time, according to the Wall Street Journal, more experienced players tend to tap into that perception to really comprehend and fully take advantage of the situation. So, it is advisable to make use of an exploitative approach instead of a GTO one when you’re playing with truly recreational players.
Avoid Tricky Spots
A pro will most likely have an improved sense of dealing with several tricky spots post-flop. Still, you’re most likely best off avoiding these spots as much as possible when you’re playing with a recreational player. This is simply because you will have better points to take advantage of.
So, you don’t necessarily need to take part in these. For instance, you can stick around a pro player if you have pocket kings, and you notice the flop coming ace-high with several potential draws. However, if you’re playing against a recreational player that shows aggression, you’ll be beaten so many times that it makes more sense giving up since it could be the best play eventually.
Don’t Bluff into Calling Stations
According to Alex Kapinski, journalist at NJGamblingFun, it is good to be aggressive while playing poker. In his opinion, “you have to remain as aggressive as possible.” Still, while playing with recreational players post-flop, you need to know who you’re up against. There is really little point in attempting to bluff a person who, with a third pair, will call you down.
Make sure that you do not get carried away. It would be best if you never let your ego get in the way of the game. Attempting to bluff an opponent who doesn’t quite get what it is you are attempting to represent will, in most cases, not end well for you.
Use Position to Your Full Advantage
Most recreational players are not aggressive enough. If you’re a pre-flop raiser, it is normal for a recreational player to miss the flop. If they do so, they will often make one stab and give up after facing any resistance.
Identify these tendencies and use such situations to your advantage. Also, notice your position and where you can afford to float a single card to take away the pot on later streets. Still, you need to be a pro to learn what players are the best targets for these kinds of plays.
Do Not Try to Be Fancy
Most recreational players tend to pay quite a lot to chase their draws. However, in situations where you are drawing, they tend to underbet. In such spots, do not attempt to be too fancy and fill the pot with check-raises. Just take your odds and strive to make your hands at the given discounted price.
Master the Skill of Navigating Multi-Way Pots
More experienced players dream of finding themselves at a table full of recreational players. Such a scenario is a dream come true for most serious players. However, they shouldn’t be really excited.
This is because the table dynamics have a high likelihood of deviating from what you could be used to. Consequently, several players will constantly see the flop. If you master effective multi-way strategies, then it should help you in avoiding awkward spots and better realizing your entire potential in tons of spots.
Mastering Post-Flop Strategies
If you want to improve your post-flop poker playing skills, then you need to master the art of playing seriously. This guide should help you with just that. Still, mastering this skill won’t happen overnight.
It takes quite a lot of effort and time. However, according to gamblingnewsmagazine.com, if you master these post-flop strategies, then you will start to make quite a significant amount of money playing poker.
And, of course, that is your end goal! Just learn this skill better than your opponents by making use of these strategies, and you’re good to go.
