Step 8 of Leak Buster 4 examines a lot of important post flop situations. It also has some pre-flop spots it looks at, but the bulk of the value in this step is the post flop analysis. Keying in on exploitative play, it looks at areas where a lot of people tend to struggle the most. Any of the leaks it finds in this step should be closely examined.

On the flop, there’s a lot of check/call analysis that you should pay attention to. You’re going to lose some money in these spots, especially when you weren’t the pre-flop raiser. However, if you’re seeing a trend of several check/call leaks, then go through your hands here. It’s going to pay off in the long run. Especially look for hands where you’ve check / called and there’s a lot of scare cards. If you’re not planning on using these yourself, then it can become quite costly to try and call a street. It’s usually better to just fold on the flop.

On the turn, look for any leaks where you’re playing draws poorly. Also any leaks related to calling multiple streets with weak hands out of position. This is particularly a killer, especially when you’re facing aggressive opponents. You always want to make sure you have a plan for your hand from the flop onwards and that you’re following that plan when you hit the turn. The turn is typically what separates the men from the boys.

Finally, on the river, look for any really bad botched bluffs. Something like bet/check/bet river with bluffs can be a killer to your winrate. Look at any really poorly played themes where you called down too much. These are also a major drain on your bankroll. Don’t get stubborn with your hands. Make sure you know why you’re calling someone down. The potential missed value filter will trigger for everyone. Take some time and look at these hands in particular. A huge key to winning at small stakes is very aggressive value betting, so you want to make sure you’re not missing a lot of these. Really spend some time on these hands and post any you have questions about.

All in all you’re going to find a lot of value on this step. Comb through it because you want to ensure you’re making the best possible post flop decisions. Anything you’re unsure about, post it somewhere and ask questions. As always, keep up the good work, and keep a positive attitude about your poker growth.