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How to Read Moves in Online Play

September 8, 2008

A big part of playing poker well in any environment is being able to read your fellow players. Many players new to online poker make the common mistake of assuming that if you can’t see a player then you can’t read them. More experienced players know that this assumption is not only untrue but will put you at a serious disadvantage. Just as with live poker, with careful observation in online poker it is easy to discern the betting patterns, playing style, and even personality of some of your opponents.

Betting Tells
Betting tells are the best way to size up your opponents online. Many players both on and offline make the mistake of playing their cards too straightforward. After a few hands, you can get a pretty good idea of what they’re holding based on what they bet, as they have a betting system that dictates they bet the same exact way for hands of specific values. These types of players are not only easy to read but are also usually easy to push around.

Another online betting tell is how quickly they bet, call, or raise. Unique to online poker rooms are automated features that allow you to choose your move before your turn. You yourself should not use these unless you want to intimidate your opponents. A common mistake even experienced players make is to use these while playing multiple tables, but what they fail to realize is the clear message that an automatic call gives their opponents. You may notice patterns in speed of betting also.

What You Can Learn from Their Talk
Virtually all online poker rooms have forums and a lobby, and most tables will also have a dialogue box. It’s tempting to close this box, but sometimes an obnoxious chatter can tell you something useful. Hang around the lobby for a few minutes, and you’ll be amazed by how many fishes reveal themselves. Likewise, many of the players using the chat box at a table are revealing more than they realize. For example, most of these chatters only use the box when they are nervous or are trying to distract their fellow players. This may be a sign that their hand is not as strong as their bet might imply.

Player History/Statistics
This is an excellent feature that many online casinos now offer. You can view your opponents’ win/loss statistics and in some cases even their last few hands. If you have the time and initiative, tracking these statistics is a great way to pigeonhole even some of your fiercest competitors.

Written by Tom · Filed Under Poker Strategy |  

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