In Poker: Watch, listen and win

By David McClary

I was playing in a private tournament last week when my neighbor commented that he prefers playing in private games over casino card rooms. He claimed that it was easier to ≥read≤ the people that he knew well as compared to total strangers. This concept is based on the idea that you see your friends more often and have more time to notice patterns and habits. Now, of the people in this semi-regular game, my neighbor is one of the best at reading opponents. I believe that, with some concentration, he could use these same skills on total strangers.

In Playing Poker Like the Pros, Phil Helmuth gives his most important secret to becoming a great hold åem player. Phil makes it his goal to know a personπs exact hole cards before they are turned over. For many people this seems like a daunting task. By becoming one of the best in the world at this skill, Phil has won himself nine World Series of Poker bracelets. He has also never won a bracelet in any game other than hold åem so I think his dominance is rooted in this skill. You may never become a world champion but reading hole cards is a skill. With practice just about anyone can get very good.

If you play hold åem with any sanity whatsoever, then you should be sitting out most of the hands. This is the best time to work on your reading skills. Watch the other players and use the board to try and figure out what they have. You have no interest in the hand so you can focus on what your opponents do without pressure. You also donπt lose any money for guessing wrong. With time you will start to notice when people hit on the flop. Gradually your reads will get more specific. You will start to see pairs, over pairs, or when people hit draws. With enough practice you will be able to tell the flush from the nut flush and so on.

When you see poker on TV or in movies people break down tells to silly unrealistic levels. The film Rounders shows Teddy KGB reach for Oreos when he traps an opponent. Iπm sure some players are this obvious but none of them win enough to open a poker club. When reading tells, donπt worry about explaining yourself in some play-by-play. If you watch a player and get a read, you donπt need to spend time explaining why. If youπre right, then youπll make a good choice.

The mechanics for reading is not as hard as you might think. The key is paying attention. When things happen at the poker table make sure you are watching the other players. A good example is when the flop is shown. Some players will stare at the empty green felt until the cards are revealed. Why? Instead, watch your opponents react to the flop and check the cards later. The cards arenπt going anywhere but your opponent may regain composure and mask an otherwise obvious tell once they understand the value of their hand. The same can be said for when you bet and raise. Watch your opponent and not your chips. Youπll be surprised what you can pick up.

Reading tells will only help your game but remember to use them properly. Good reads wonπt make second place hands win and they canπt make calling stations fold. They can however add confidence to your game. Over time, they should save you extra bets when youπre behind and help you make good raises when your opponent is weak. If you get good enough, maybe you can square off against Phil himself someday.