We sometimes forget to plan ahead.. in all aspects of life..

If you have a mediocre hand but want to show strength, then plan pre-flop to show that strength and don’t just call.  As soon as you check or call, your opponent is going to suspect weakness and exploit the situation.

Its all about thinking of the various scenarios that could happen ahead.  If I raise, is my aggressive opponent going to re-raise?  And, will you handle the pressure and see through his aggressive tactics?  Is he trying his luck with nothing in his hand again?  What did he bet pre-flop and is he sticking to his story? How does the flop change things?  Does the flop favor him or me?

There’s a lot of things to consider in such a short time, but once you have played a lot of poker, these thoughts will become automatic.

Think ahead and if you have a plan, then make sure you stick to your story… unless of course you are intentionally confusing them…. but then thats a whole different story…