Johnny78B
Legend
Platinum Level
You just make my day)) This is really the best comment.
Collin Moshman
Poker Expert
Silver Level
One of the quickest ways is pre-flop raise-sizing. For example, with a 15bb stack, a player raises to 3bb. It's very likely that someone doing this is a recreational opponent as almost all regs would be shoving, folding, or min-raising, or occasionally open-limping.
heguli82
Rock Star
Bronze Level
You put it quite good there yourself. 
If there is "a fish", there is other categories. Possible "pro" is likely multi-tabling, playing single situations by the book or default values and possibilities.
Evaluate both, use qualities against each other an appropriate extent, and you`re champ right?
If there is "a fish", there is other categories. Possible "pro" is likely multi-tabling, playing single situations by the book or default values and possibilities.
Evaluate both, use qualities against each other an appropriate extent, and you`re champ right?
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akgross
Legend
Platinum Level
A weak player always plays a lot of empty hands, big raises both in position and out of position, at the beginning of the tournament he plays at big stakes and does not worry about losing his stack in the "freezeout" format. A bad player plays hesitantly in the middle of the tournament, this is the case when the bubble can be opened soon.
Phoenix Wright
Legend
Loyaler
I don't think there is any single way to tell a fish - just some ways that are more reliable than others.
Yes, lots of statistics can identify fishy play (really high VPIP, lots of limping etc.) but so can HOW they act - sometimes even more so than what the action itself is.
Take a "simple" action like "open-raising" - are they consistent with what appears to be a method (doesn't matter if it is 3X raise, 3X + 1X per limper etc, but are they sticking to it most of the time?). Lack of a method may indicate a fishier player.
Another action is table chatter. Are they talkative "consistently" or not? A fish may only become chatty when they have a hand or vice-versa. Even regs are sometimes guilty of this, but pros like Tony G are capable of table chatter with a monster hand as well as complete air.
Similarly, HOW and WHAT are the complaints/chatter about? A bit frustrated at a suckout straight hitting the River for the opponent? Perhaps legitimate? Complaining that the AK they limped into a multiway pot with lost to an Ace-rag Flush...maybe they are a fish (most players wouldn't slowplay AK this way or at very least not limp into a multiway pot like this; with decent effective stacks, they should be raising and isolating).
Likewise, Isolating! Lots of fish don't isolate as much as they should. A good player knows that hands with less equity can still outdraw you, if you let them in too cheaply by not raising earlier on.
There are a ton more "fishy clues" to watch out for, but these are a few highlight ones I think.
Yes, lots of statistics can identify fishy play (really high VPIP, lots of limping etc.) but so can HOW they act - sometimes even more so than what the action itself is.
Take a "simple" action like "open-raising" - are they consistent with what appears to be a method (doesn't matter if it is 3X raise, 3X + 1X per limper etc, but are they sticking to it most of the time?). Lack of a method may indicate a fishier player.
Another action is table chatter. Are they talkative "consistently" or not? A fish may only become chatty when they have a hand or vice-versa. Even regs are sometimes guilty of this, but pros like Tony G are capable of table chatter with a monster hand as well as complete air.
Similarly, HOW and WHAT are the complaints/chatter about? A bit frustrated at a suckout straight hitting the River for the opponent? Perhaps legitimate? Complaining that the AK they limped into a multiway pot with lost to an Ace-rag Flush...maybe they are a fish (most players wouldn't slowplay AK this way or at very least not limp into a multiway pot like this; with decent effective stacks, they should be raising and isolating).
Likewise, Isolating! Lots of fish don't isolate as much as they should. A good player knows that hands with less equity can still outdraw you, if you let them in too cheaply by not raising earlier on.
There are a ton more "fishy clues" to watch out for, but these are a few highlight ones I think.
AllinIgor
Rock Star
Silver Level
I believe it depends a lot on what you're playing, are you talking about cash game, mtt or sit&go?
I think for every situation there are different ways to specify something, in fact, sometimes we think that certain plays are bad when in fact they are not.
Good luck at the tables!
D
Dhendrixon
Rock Star
Silver Level
Usually the first orbit you can identify the fish. They will limp to see cards, but you have to be careful as some fish will raise their premium hands and some will only limp their premium hands. You have to be able to distinct the differences in the two. The first example is the easiest to play against.
IntenseHeat
Legend
Bronze Level
There are many ways to identify a fish. It could be the cards they play, how many hands, they play, how often they are limping in or calling raises. Typically it tends to be more than one thing, or more than one time. It's usually a combination of things. For instance I might notice someone limping into a lot of hands, then realize that they're playing passively, check/calling the flop and turn before check/folding the river. Then I'm going to want to see a hand at showdown for verification. Until I see a hand play out and go to showdown, it's all just speculation. But if you've played the game enough, and you've seen the signs before, you'll know them when you see them again.
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Poker_Mike
Legend
Loyaler
I've seen this a couple of times lately.
A player that doesn't bet or raise with the stone-cold nuts!
Can't believe it. So I put it in their notes.
Z
Zeke67
Rock Star
Silver Level
Limpers
They like to limp a lot of hands. Big time chasers can earn you a lot of money if you can catch that fish. They generally overplay there big hands. Most will go down guns blazing with AK! That’s been my experience has been!!
Z
Stay Safe
They like to limp a lot of hands. Big time chasers can earn you a lot of money if you can catch that fish. They generally overplay there big hands. Most will go down guns blazing with AK! That’s been my experience has been!!
Z
Stay Safe
Daddysprincess99
Enthusiast
Silver Level
I'll have to remember that one!
Fishes for me are players that limp alot then go all-in when they get raised. More than often they have nothing.
NickeLine22
Rock Star
Silver Level
Fish in poker falls into two broad categories:
1. Callers. Who do nothing but call even the highest raises. They need by all means to bring the distribution to the showdown. Often they turn out to be the winners, because opponents blinded by trying to squeeze more money out of the fish forget that there are fish with teeth.
2. "Bluff Kings". They play all hands as aggressively as possible to knock opponents out of the hand.
1. Callers. Who do nothing but call even the highest raises. They need by all means to bring the distribution to the showdown. Often they turn out to be the winners, because opponents blinded by trying to squeeze more money out of the fish forget that there are fish with teeth.
2. "Bluff Kings". They play all hands as aggressively as possible to knock opponents out of the hand.
K
korbal29
Visionary
Bronze Level
I rather not call him a fish or dunk(out of respect) I rather call him a weak player. He is someone who doesnt have an understanding of good starting hands, will call with starting hands that have negative value,like calling raises with weak Ace,etc..
and as whole ,is game has a lot of holes in it
and as whole ,is game has a lot of holes in it
57noona
Legend
Bronze Level
Everybody that isn't a pro is a fish in their book. I don't look to call anybody a fish or a pro. I instead try to find a weakness in each player's game and through trail and error hope to capitals on their weaknesses. As far as calling people fish well I hope they break your lines and escape the hooks and take your bait from you. That is what I wish will happen to you when you feel the need to apply names to other players. Weak, strong, or Winning players I wish you luck if you don't pin your losses on the other players at the which you label as fish, donkey or nit.
