Poker Observation and Opponents

Observation

The good player depends on observations to formulate his strategy. Observation of opponents requires an analytical al technique. Observation of the cards requires a sharp eye. Knowing what his opponents observe also affects his strategy.

Reading Opponents

All players have repeating habits and nervous patterns tilt give away their hands. Readable patterns in poker players are usually found in their -
1. Initial reactions to looking at their cards (freshly dealt hands, draw cards, hole cards, or up-cards).
2. Reactions when calling, betting, or raising methods of handling and looking at cards .
3. Ways of handling money before and during each bet.
4. Extents and directions of interest during the action.
5. Behaviors and remarks during each phase of action.
6. Reactions when other players open, call, bet, raise or drop.
7. Mumblings and spoken thoughts.
8. Tones of voice.
9. Reactions to comments.
10. Responses to questions.
The good player controls the position of his head and eyes to avoid a direct stare at those opponents who become cautious and less readable when feeling observed. He will, however, stare directly at those players who get nervous and more readable when feeling observed.
When involved in action, the good Australia poker player reads his opponents and then makes his play accordingly. When not involved in the action, he analyzes the players for readable patterns. At the conclusion of each pot, he correlates all revealed hands to his observations. By this technique, he discovers many readable patterns in each opponent.

Before Hand

When winning, breaking even, or losing slightly he plays very tight and never bluffs. Stays to end only when holding a strong hand. Acts dull or sleepy. When losing heavily he panics, plays loose and tries many bluffs. Once hooked in a hand, he stays to the end. Gets wide-eyed and wildly alert.

Receiving Cards

Grabs for each dealt card when a good hand is developing. Casually looks at new cards when holding a hand with poor potential.

Dealing

Usually flashes bottom card when picking up the deck. Often flashes cards he deals to himself.

Looking At Card

When planning to play, he looks to his right. When planning to rise, he looks to his left. When planning to drop, he looks blankly into space.

Handling Cards

Leaves cards on table when he intends to fold. If holding a playable pair, two pair, trips or a full house, he arranges his cards then does not disturb them. If holding a low- ball hand, a bobtail straight or a four flush, he continuously ruffles the cards through his fingers.

Before Bet

Touches money lightly when going to call. His thumb lifts edge of money when going to rise. Picks up money when going to bluff. Does not touch money when going to fold.

Betting

Puts money in pot with a deliberate motion when not confident, with a flicking motion when confident, and with a hesitation followed by a flicking motion when sand bagging. In Pot Limit or Table Stake Holdem, if you can get a good idea of any other player's style you have a great advantage against him.

Rising

Cheek muscles flex when holding a sure winner. Tenseness develops around his upper lip when worried. Breathes through mouth when bluffing.

Drawing

Inserts draw randomly in hand, and then ruffles cards when drawing to a pair or a four flush. Puts cards on one end with no ruffling when drawing to trips or a four straight. Puts card second from the end when drawing to trips with a kicker. Puts card in center of hand when drawing to two pair. With two pair, he looks at draw quickly. With all other hands, he slowly squeezes cards open. Squeezes very slowly when drawing to low-ball, flush, or straight hands. Jerks hand when he misses.
Stud hole cards when hole cards are good, he keeps them neatly organized and touches them periodically. Does not bother to organize or touch poor cards. If one fakes a move to grab his hole cards, he impulsively jumps and grabs the cards if they are good .does nothing if they are poor.