i look right away, if i wait till my turn i feel everyone is looking at me, and when i get good hands i put my chips in too fast. and i like to think about what im gonna do.
while you are looking at your cards right away, we are looking at you and using that time to pay attention to your reaction.
When playing live my cards are the last thing I consider.
I have won many pots, purely making the decision on player reactions to their hands and the way they bet.
If im in late position I will watch the action, make decisions on how to play the hand, should I raise? can I steal? is that guy betting from strength? Ill decide what I will do before it gets to me, then I will look at my cards.
If my hand content justifies my game plan then I will follow through, if not I muck or adjust the game plan.
Usually the content of my hand has very little to do with my pre-flop decisions.
Unless Im playing omaha, then I look as soon as I get them and try to figure out what the hell I can make from this junk.