I have advocated seeing the flop as cheaply as possible. If you decide to continue playing once you see it, then it is time for you to become the aggressor and take the lead. If you are first to act, before you check, ask yourself if you would call a bet if someone else bets after you. If you would, then you should bet. You can't determine the strength of anyone else's hand by checking.

If they bet, you still have no idea what cards they may be holding. Instead, you should bet, and if you are raised you have information that your opponent probably has a strong hand. You can fold, call, or raise accordingly. Since the betting limits are still low, the flop is the time to use a bet to determine the strength of your opponent's hands. If you are in later position, you may want to raise to narrow the field or to get a free card on the turn.

You don't want to play your hand the same way every time. If you are too mechanical, a sharp opponent will be able to read you. These are some general guidelines you can use in determining how to play your hand after the flop. Before we go any further, keep one thing in mind.

A winning player is the one who knows when to let go of an unprofitable hand.

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