Pot Odds in Shorthanded Games

[lwestatbus]

This is a new post that is a follow up to the one at http://www.texasholdem-poker.com/forum/t793/what-hands-to-play. The original thread talked about starting hands in shorthanded games but I'm writing about post flop play in limit.

My preferred game is six-handed low limit ring game hold'em but I'll play five-handed as well. I keep finding myself with a good potential hand after the flop. I.e., open ended straight draw, middle pair with a good kicker, backdoor flush AND straight draws (same hand), two unpaired overcards, etc. Hands that have a high potential to be very powerful but are not yet made. I keep finding myself folding in the face of a bet because the pot odds simply don't justify staying in. I adjust my actions based on implied odds (including how loose the table has been) and I'm not averse to putting out a semi bluff bet when I can be first in the pot. However, when the bet is to me and I think it's only going to be two or three in the pot then it almost always seems that the pot odds call for a fold.

Is this what I should expect? In thinking through this it seems that you would be folding more hands at shorthanded tables and I have a steady history of winning over the long run so I can't complain about my strategy. What really bothers me is that I KNOW that not all of these betters have hands all the time and often one player will dominate the post flop betting (bet almost every hand) and I know I'm often abandoning my preflop investment to somebody with more aggressiveness than analytical ability. On the other hand when I do make a strong hand on the flop I'm able to use this circumstance to trap the aggressive bettor and that always feels good.

Anyway, all comments and experience are welcome.

[age_of_sages]

I tend to stick with my draws as long as I'm not heads up. I also like to be the one that's doing the betting or raising on the flop, this can get you a free river card if you miss and can also give you the opportunity to steal the pot unimproved. The only time I generally call a flop bet with a draw is if the guy right in front of me put out the bet and there are people behind me that I want to keep in the pot.

[Skribbles]

Gotta work the free cards.

If you have position on the flop raise if you are bet into. 90% of the time your oppenent will check to you on the turn. If you hand is made then you can bet out again if not, check and see a free river.

Out of position check/raising the flop then check the turn can also get you a free card sometimes. This works especially good when you do have a made hand and can check/raise the turn. Don't know if that makes sense or not... can't really get my thoughts into words today.

If what you are doing is working, then you're doing something right so keep doing it. I'd say focus less on your drawing hands and focus more on getting maximum profit out of your made hands and losing the bare minimum with weak hands.