Hand reading skills

Gamble1996

Gamble1996

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When did you first start been good at reading players cards? , and us there any tips tricks anyone can share
 
sharkyo01

sharkyo01

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Live I'm very sharp with reading people's cards... Body moments and watching peoples faces and eye's are a good way. But online poker I'm learning... Things like timing of people are a good indication if people are firing fast somethings means good hand! Or times a bluff.... Or slower time working out odds...

But I have problems with Online poker so if anybody wants to share some secrets please do ;)
 
Velutha

Velutha

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It takes repetitions...You have to start thinking about ranges and narrowing down possibilities. There's a lot of "profiling" involved in hand reading, thinking about the type of person in the hand.

I'm certainly not an expert hand reader but there is a noticeable difference in my abilities than when I first picked up the game several years ago.
 
Velutha

Velutha

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Live I'm very sharp with reading people's cards... Body moments and watching peoples faces and eye's are a good way. But Online poker I'm learning... Things like timing of people are a good indication if people are firing fast somethings means good hand! Or times a bluff.... Or slower time working out odds...

But I have problems with Online poker so if anybody wants to share some secrets please do ;)

It seems like acting fast indicates a pretty standard line for a hand. I tend to eliminate the top of the range when someone is fast into the pot.

I agree with your slower time concept. A player taking his time can be doing several different things, such as: working out odds (like you said), figuring out how to maximize their value (when holding a monster) or trying to figure out the right amount to bluff you off a hand. Which is why I don't immediately give credit for a great hand on someone insta-betting.
 
IEatCards4Bkfst

IEatCards4Bkfst

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I've only played money for two days, online. However, I noticed I'm able to call many hands by applying what I learned in the books and sticking to just a single table (as opposed to multi-tabling). I also have gotten into the habit of taking notes on players...I've been able to tell who steals blinds, who folds, and who plays AA-AK-KK-KJ.

Bro basically actually apply what you learn, which is seriously much harder than it sounds, but like I said with two days experience I'm able to call em more often than not!
 
Tom1559

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It is a lot easier live than it is online. You have to consider all the possiblities and assess the odds against what you have got. It is not an easy skill and one which requires time investment to improve.
 
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HipHopStoner

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Live.. It's fairly easy once you pick up a read.. but online sometimes my reads get me into trouble...

I usually try to go with the basics.. how much time it takes to bet... the size of the bet, ect.

Don't let that all fool you though cause it can cost you a tournament.
 
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bilgert

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my advice for getting started- take good notes on the betting patterns of people you compete against on a regular basis. eventually a pattern will emerge.

Also, one other piece of advice for people trying to pick up tells- don't force someone into a box when you don't have enough information, i.e. don't automatically label someone a donkey or a nit after you've seen them play 3 hands. You have to be able to put their behavior in a context.

how you use that information, is another story...
 
cardplayer52

cardplayer52

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pay close attention to what a player shows down and remember how they acted during the hand. did they raise reraise limp call a raise etc. having a hud to keep track of thier stats helps too. and pay attention when not in the hand as well. put a player not on a certain hand but a range of hands. then narrow that range as you get more info. look for difference in bet sizes and i you spot them try to figure out what that means(stronger or weaker). do this for every single hand that is played. this is a key skill if you want to get good at this game. putting a player on a hand and knowing how there likely to act then taking the line most profitable is all that poker is really.
 
fajackta

fajackta

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All that you get online is looking at how long or short it takes someone to call, how much they raise and with what (if you eventually get to see), they amount they bet in proportion to the pot with whatever they have. The only problem is a lot of times youll get a good read on someone online only to have them turn around and leave the table. Takes a good eye and a lot of notes.
 
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