Online Poker Guide - Texas Holdem Strategies
Texas Holdem Strategies: Poker Opponents
Poker is a delightfully simple game to learn and play. Most non-poker players can pick up the rules of the game and begin to enjoy themselves at the felt or cyber felt, if playing online, within a matter of hours.
With that in mind it would seem logical for a non-poker player to assume the game revolves more around luck than skill. Indeed, the skill vs luck argument has been played out across many forums and at the bar in many casinos for years. When the legality of online poker is brought into question many of the supporters of the game will state that Texas Holdem, and other variations of poker, are based largely around skill and not luck. That is because the supporters of poker are generally experienced players and experienced players are usually well versed in the finer points of poker.
One of the finer points we are going to take a look at today is thinking about your opponents. Why are they playing the way they are? What cards have they played so far? Do they look agitated? Are they drunk? The answers to those questions and an almost infinite number of similar ones should help you piece together some information about your opponent and the possible strength of any given hand.
There are physical signs you could look out for as well. Reading body language is a fine skill to have and one which can take many years to learn in detail. However, there are some basic signs you can pick up on in a casino environment straight away. Many readers will have heard all about the “touching the nose” tell when a player is bluffing. So bare that in mind when you see an opponent scratching his or her nasal passages when they have made a bet – it could easily be an elaborate double bluff! The less obvious signs of nervousness, or bluffing, are tactile responses to an event. Rather than nose scratching a bluffing player is more likely to revert to a comfort tactile response when he is bluffing, something which likely comes from being comforted as a child. Those responses include holding their arms close to their bodies (trying to cuddle themselves) and rubbing the back of their neck (back and neck rubbing from a parent is a common comforter for small children).
Those type of tells are impossible to pick up on when you’re playing poker online. The Internet offers a greater challenge when trying to pick up on the strength of your opponent’s hand. We can take note of the bets our opponents make when the cards are at showdown. Did they bet excitedly and move all-in when they were strong? Or did they make a small bet to try and extract the most from the other player(s) without them folding? The time taken to act is also another indication of the strength of a hand. If a player instantly checks he could have selected an option to auto fold/check when the action arrives on him – a sign of weakness.
As you progress in your poker career you will notice your own tells on both the Internet and in a live card room. Keeping a mental note of those will help you maximise your profits in the long run.
Back to Texas Holdem Strategies.
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Online Poker Guide: Poker Opponents
Just as you judge your opponents, remember that your opponents are equally gauging you for signs. Measure how you react to 2, 5 off suit and try and replicate that when you see pocket aces. Alternatively, there's nt safe tactic than the absolute, ice-cold straight face. Use sunglasses or hats to restrict how easily it is to see your face. Initially never react to pocket cards instantly, not even if they're terrible and you're going to fold. Reacting to each hand in the same manner will mean your opponents will never be able to guess what you have. Go win some cash now, play at 32Red Poker. $320 Free!
