Getting a read.

This is for good or better players (which means I don't qualify). When you sit down at a live table, how long does it take you to get a read/tell on most of the other players and at a table with 9 other players how many can you not get a read on,,?
Fixing to play my first casino tournament. Just curious.
Thanks

it varies..

there are so many different type of players around.. thats why we cant say it takes a certain number of hands before you can read a person..

first there are the easy players to read.. the ones that leaves multiple impressions as he likes to shine the light on himself.

then there are those really really passive players.. they squeeze in two hands out of seven.. little experience means little learned...

there are also those players that light to rub you different ways.. they go multiple ways.. whether they do it consciously or subconsciously.. there are those who alter their style of play now and then..

I don't even know what I am saying.. lol sorry.. I don't think I am in any position to give advice at all..

It varies from person to person. Both in giving tells and reading them.

If you have never played live before, it will be a challenge, but you can do it.

It usually takes several orbits to get the 'feel' of the table, but you should have a good Idea of who is loose and who doesn't play much after 20 hands.

Because they play a lot of hands doesn't mean they are bad and because they play few hands doesn't mean their good either.

I find live a lot looser than online and more passive, but they will call you to the river more.

Don't bluff a lot, don't Hollywood, and look at your cards when other people are not looking at you not when its your turn and everyone is staring at you (a lot of people here don't agree with this last point).

Keep your eyes and ears open at all times and trust your instincts, if they prove you wrong re-evaluate... you'll learn more every hand. Try to relax and have fun. Dont let intimidation factor get to you. And I'd definatly keep away from bluffing, you may get away with it here and there but if a player is suspect on a "tell" you're giving they will call you and it could expose you to the fullest extent. Be patient, pick and choose youre battles and good luck, let us know how it goes...

read Joe Navarro's "Read 'em and Reap" book. It is an excellent book on the science and art of reading tells...

Here's a slight caveat: A lot of times in these casino tourneys you get a wide variety of players, so their tells may be misleading. For example, their body language may be indicating a strong hand, but they are inexperienced so they think that bottom pair is a very strong hand.

I think you're better off just playing a strong tight aggressive style and watching the types of hands people play and the betting patterns they use. I'd use your tell reading skills for more advanced tourneys or cash games.