Poker players who are any good follow a set of thought processes as they approach each situation. This gives them a pattern to follow and allows them to track what works and what doesn’t and slowly refine this process until they have what they consider a winning strategy for them. Here is one such thought process.

The first question you need to ask yourself is what kind of player am I playing against. Are they aggressive or conservative or are they tentatively. The next question once you have identified the player is what kind of hand are they likely to be holding. Now taking the game to the next level, what do I think my opponents think I have.

Knowing the answers to these three questions will now allow me to look at the next question – Should I bet or raise? If I am fairly confident that I have the best hand right now then I will almost always want to bet or raise. If I think my opponent is weak and I can force them out of the pot with a bet or two then I must bet or raise. If I don’t think a bet or a raise will help me then I ask the next question.

Should I check or fold? Should I be holding a hand that I know I cannot win with and I cannot force my opponent off the pot then I should fold. If I have a hand and it is unclear whether a raise is called for or a fold then calling is usually the best option.

Following a constant thought process for all decisions will gradually allow you to grow as a poker player and revise those decisions until a winning strategy is developed. By asking the right questions as you play, it will ensure you play well and ask all the right questions.