Mental Script

[Raisor]

When the action gets around to me, the only thing I am thinking and asking myself is the bet here or check. Basically I'm braindead and I'm trying to compile a list of questions I should ask myself when the action gets around to me to help me. Throughout the hand.

Only thing I can think of is

What's their playing style?

I know theres loads more, but I can't think...

[shorn7]

Well, assuming that you haven't looked at your cards yet (which I strongly encourage you to do...wait to look until it is your turn), I would ask a few things:

1. How many players are in?
2. Are they good players?
3. How many players are left to act behind me?
4. Are they aggressive?
5. How do the blinds in this hand play?
6. If there has been a raise, what is my relative position to the raiser?
7. Is anyone behind me a frequent re-raiser?
8. What is my overall position?

After these questions are answered, you should be able to look at your cards and make a pretty quick decision as to what to do.

[Raisor]

Alright, thanks.

Now after the flop, how would your questions change? I know some would stay the same :

How many players are in the hand?
Position
etc

I know the questions are different in every situation, but the common ones?

[Muck]

Before the flop you should know what cards you do/don’t want to see and have some idea of how you will play from there.

Am I ahead? Am I behind?
Am I so far ahead I need to slow play to get value?
Am I only slightly ahead and better try to take the pot down now?
Do I have a draw? Is it worth chasing with a call and if so how much is my limit? Is it worth semi-bluff it with a bet here?
If I make my draw will I be ahead?
What’s the risk and reward? Could I lose/win a lot here?
How much fold equity does a bet have here? I.e. how many players, how tight are they and what’s my table image like?

This is just a smattering of examples, the real questions form more of a tree structure rather than a list and every conclusion pulls you toward a different decision with a different force.

[Raisor]

Alright heres my script.

Preflop :

How many players are behind me?
Playing styles?
Position?
Did player Limp/Raise?

After the flop :
Players in the hand?
Position?
What did they do PF?
Playing style/Image
Outs/Odds
Opponents raise of hands?

What should I add?

[Tim David]

What about your cards?

Shouldn't they factor in there somewhere?