first off i am going to number some of your quotes just to break down your play , his play and your thinking / logic process to this situation..
1.I am chip-leader with approx 17k and my oppo is 2nd with approx 15k.
2.On button, I call
3.Oppo raises in BB to 4200
4.the blinds were 800 /1600.
5.But I read his small raise as weak
6.I thought he was raising me pre-flop just to get me out of the hand and say "If you don"t raise, I will !!"
7.I just didn"t see how I could possibly bin them
8.Why can"t people just accept that sometimes you are going to get outdrawn
9.If I miss the flop I can then fold if he bets out
10.but sometimes NOT trying to steal the blinds can also paint a confusing picture
11.I call as i think he could see my limp as an opportunity to make a move on me
Quote from David Sklansky
The psychology of poker is an important aspect of the game.You should think not only about what your opponents have,but about what they think you have and about what they think you think they have.
You must go through these thought processes against GOOD PLAYERS , against expert players it becomes even more difficult and complex.
On the other hand against weak players because players are not thinking on such an advanced level the best strategy is to play your cards in a basic straightforward way.
Questions i"d like to ask you and for you to go away and think about BOINGBLITZ.
1. Do you think limping 1st into a pot from late position with a fairly strong hand is the best way to play it?
2.Do you see every 2.5bb ish raise pre-flop as a weak bet?
3.Did you consider any hand range for your opponent based on any previous plays?
4.You say it was a weak raise even though your opponent has put in 30% of his stack,and yet you only call , why not re-raise him pre-flop?
5.In reflection do you think you are a bit of a call station pre-flop / post flop?
6.Did you have a plan if say that flop came ace queen jack rainbow?
7.Did you at any stage consider stack size to blind size?
8.Do you think your opponent played this hand in a straightforward way based on what and how he perceived you?
9.Do you think his chip stack size dictated his bet on the flop? or was it just a player with a made hand protecting it?.
10.On the flop did you consider odds or his possible hands at any stage?
11.So if he had gone all in pre-flop you would consider this a strong move?
12.Do you think you played your hand well?
13.Can you be honest and critical enough in evaluating your own game to make changes?
14.When you read or post on forums do you only listen to answers you want to hear?
There so many more questions i could put in especially some more psychology type ones
but please think this hand through again , there is a lot to learn from it.
