Reading Poker Opponents

One of the most common tactics used by rookies in poker is called the "keep them guessing" tactic. This move is often employed to keep opposing players from guessing the true content of one hand. Although it is something minor, many rookies consider it a skill.

The goal of the game is not to give the opposing side a fair shake of 50/50 but less. One does not really want to give chances to the enemy.

Players do not want opponents to have a shred of doubt in their minds of what is going through ones head and one's plans. Confusion is not an aggressive trait but it is a passive one. Players who are known for their aggressive style will find this approach hard to pull off. In the battle for confusion, one has to plant the idea or seeds and let them assume the opposite of what you are actually doing. Those who have worked in the army may call this reverse psychology warfare.

The bottom gist is one cannot afford the chance of letting an opponent read ones movements and not adjust accordingly. Poker players have to manipulate other people into making the wrong move. To be able to mis-direct them, one has to read them correctly first.

The first stage in reading is learning. Watching the opponent is crucial for by observing one tends to pick up subtle signs of their actions. From these subtle signs, one can then draw conclusions of the persons playing style. From observation, one can then test of the observations were correct then take advantage of them when game play begins.

The true intention is to be able to foresee the opponent so as to be able to beat them at every action they would take. This technique is nothing new for it has been used time and time again by professional sports counselors and tacticians here, is to be able to anticipate what a certain opponent is going to do.

Being aware of what other players do around the table is the key element of observation. One can virtually draw a lot of observations from the group and test them out.

Betting patterns help players determine the toughness or character of the player. Watching an opponent check/fold can offer valuable information regarding the make of their hands.

Players who have successfully taken the time to read the opponent now have the edge and playing advantage. Once the player decides to test the assumptions, the opponent would either betray their true intentions or re-direct the confusion theory back at the player. Poker is an equal opportunity game. No one is exempt from reading each other.