slowplaying is definatly an epidemic, only because the mediocre players are hearing about it and thinking they need to do it to "hide" their cards. the way i figured it out was it's not about hiding your cards -- it's about protecting you cards. betting into a flop when i have top pair with a weak kicker is protecting me from an overcard hitting and someone else picking up top pair. slowplaying should only be done if you really think you have your opponent crushed (i.e. pocket aces and an ace hits the flop with some rags). the point of slowplaying is to hide the strength of your hand, but if there is no real strength to your hand then why try and hide it? you have to make it seem as if you're stronger -- being deceptive is what poker is about. i see people slow play their set and get beat by a runner and bitch about a "bad beat." that's my philosophy at least.
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