Not to long ago I went into a slump, losing almost every sit n go I bought in to. Many of them were just bad luck; I'll never understand why that guy called my raise with 2,7 off-suit and busted my aces when a 2 and a 7 came on the flop. Still, when going through a losing streak I suppose any one questions what they are doing wrong. Finally, I found something. I noticed that many of the big pots I was losing were situations where I was betting because I was "supposed to." Continuation bets, betting just because the other guy checked, etc. I decided I wasn't going to bet again unless I had a reason to. Maybe my bad luck had finally run it's course, but I am convinced that having a reason to bet helped my game.

Recently I came across a video on Card Player TV that suggested there are three reasons for betting; to gain value, to bluff, or to gain information. When betting for value, you believe you have the best hand and are hoping for a call. When bluffing, you believe you have the lesser hand and are hoping to get a stronger hand to fold. When betting for information you aren't really sure where you stand and are hoping that your opponents reaction to your bet helps you narrow it down. Betting for information should probably be used sparingly. Many times you are better off hoping to see the next card for free and improving your hand.

This seems like very good advice although I think it mainly applies to post flop action and may be a bit oversimplified. Pre-flop there are a number of other reasons to bet (or raise). You may be betting to take control of the hand. If you are the pre-flop bettor the chances are good that other players will wait to see what you do after the flop before taking there own action. You may be betting to gain position hoping that those with better postion fold. You may be betting to narrow the feild or you may be betting to disguise the strength (or weakness) of your hand. Post-flop you may bet to protect your hand against a drawish board or you may make a defensive bet to slow down the action if you have a good drawing hand.

I think the key is to have a reason whatever it is. If you find yourself betting for no reason you are just putting your money in without a plan and that rarely has good results.