Rules rules rules
MTT's
Rule number 1: 99 and down; If at all possible, try to see a flop as cheap as possible. If all over cards flop and heavy betting occurs, FOLD.
Rule number 2: Don't get attached and chase sets. If you can because the player is weak, great ($40 c-bet into a 320 pot? Thanks for giving me great pot
odds [8-2-1] to call!) Yet even then, if the board has a possible straight that someone could very well have, your toast.
Rule number 3: If you make trips, do not forget that trips alone only beat one and two pair. If the board is not paired but has 4 to a straight, you are most likely dead if called. If the set you have is part of a 3 or 4 card flush, you are most likely dead if called.
Rule number 4: KK - Remember, it can be beat not only by pocket AA, but on any flop with an ace by any player who might be in with A-x. So if you raised big pre-flop and got called, you are probably dead if an ace hits the board.
Rule number 5: If you have KK, QQ, or JJ, and 3 people start 3 and 4 betting, you are more likely toast if they are any kind of players. Getting it all in pre-flop can get real ugly. If JJ for example, and you are in with 3 players, well someone is going to have at least
one over card to JJ, QQ or even KK!
Rule number 6: Be wary of getting a set or full house if not the top set or the "big" full. If you flat called a pre-flop raise with 10-10 and the flop comes J-K-10, you could well be drawing almost dead to KK, JJ and A-Q. If it's Q-10-Q, you could be out to someone with Q-10, or get killed by AQ or AA if an ace hits the turn or river.
Rule number 7: Be VERY wary of making a straight with your pair. About the only thing worse than the bottom end of a straight is the top of a one card straight (you have 88 and the board is 4-5-6-2-7) If you bet and get called on this flop, the guy most likely has 7-8 (you only get a split) or 8-9 (you lose). What else could he call with? An over pair bigger than yours, maybe, but unless he is loony, he won't be betting it, just calling. If so, he will not call a big river bet. So, even with the top card of the straight, it could mean big trouble and leave you drawing dead.
Rule number 8:
ANY pair versus
ANY 2 over cards pre flop is a coin flip, and BARELY in your favor.
Combine this with the other great advice, you should be OK.