The one thing the majority MAY be missing

[Zybomb]

I agree with the jist of everything in your post, but the reason so much emphasis is put on starting hands is that by playing starting hands correctly you avoid paying off players when both of you hit. Im not talking about how to put your opponent on a draw and then bet him out on the river if the draw missed even if you have nothing...thats a different aspect of the game.

If you are calling raises with Q10o and the flop hits a 10 high, you risk paying off k10, A10, 1010, JJ, QQ, KK, AA, or a set of whichever the other two cards were. You can avoid the situation entirely by knowing what starting hands to play when and how to play them. Im not saying I will never blind steal with an 8,2 every once in a while at a passive table where the blinds are worth stealing...but thats also knowing what to play when and how. By playing your cards correctly preflop you are setting yourself up to win more of the pots you do enter... That is why emphasis on starting hands is there.

Granted, Just as important, is being able to read the board after the flop, turn and river...where your flush draw example comes in...thats when you are playing your opponents cards, but preflop (Im assuming you are at a random table with no knowledge of the players as of yet) more times than not you are playing your own cards,

[Penguinfan]

I agree with what you just said, it just seems to me that people are only paying attention to what is in their hand and give no consideration to what people would have to have to call you with. Good example is if you have AK and the flop is A-J-10 I have seen people bet that AK like it's the nuts, but anytime there is a straight possible in the kill zone like that you have to give it consideration. Thats an extreme example, but even with AK and a flop of k-7-8 you have to be careful if you get played back at because so many people will play suited connectors and may have 2 pair. Maybe I have been drawn out on so many times I am just paranoid, but it seems some consideration to what the other player has may save a bet or two along the way.