Psychology is to poker as maps are to a tourist. If you’ve ever gone to an unfamiliar place whether on vacation or a random trip; how much easier would it have been if you had some sort of map (assuming you didn’t)? Maybe you like the adventure and just kind of go with the flow. Or you’re methodical and like to plan and prepare accordingly. Your map in poker is the psychology component of the game. If you can master the psychological element success will be inevitable. Some players play a straight forward game. They don’t talk much and simply react when necessary. Others can’t seem to stop chatting and go on and on about this that or the other thing.
Let’s analyze these two player types.
The Cold Shoulder - If you’re at a table for a few hours and there’s someone who doesn’t say much at all what does this mean to you? Are they just unfriendly? Maybe they’re having a bad day. Who knows, maybe they had a bad lunch. From 1000’s of hours of being at the poker table you can rely on a few things about the silent player. Next time you encounter one glance at their chips. In all likelihood they’re perfectly stacked, almost guarded in a way. These players will never react directly to what you say nor will they show much emotion while they’re playing. All players should try and understand their opponents in order to gain an advantage. This quiet behavior screams a few things. This player doesn’t want to give anything away. They feel the smallest move or discussion will give their opponent an advantage. Most pros tend to be very quiet especially during a hand as to not reveal the strength of their cards. This player is also very aware of his/her surroundings. Even though they appear not to be paying attention – trust me, they are. Play very aggressively against this type of player. If they hit their hand you may even be able to bluff them out depending on how strong the flop was for them. These players tend to be passive and will only play aggressive when they have an unbeatable hand. Look for betting patters. If you pick up on any – rely on them as these players will rarely change betting strategies. Look at how often they play and what spot they choose to play. If they’re playing more hands in later position then it’s safe to assume the types of cards they’re choosing to continue the hand with are marginal.
Chatty Cathy – Now you’re at the table with someone who just can’t stop talking. Their entire existence is based around you listening to what they have to say. The importance of everything coming out of their mouth is considered to be like gold (to them anyway). This can be a great player to be up against because they tend to give things away without realizing it. They’ll also try to become friends with everyone at the table in order to gain some sympathy for later hands where they might be in trouble. As you analyze this player look for clues to when they are chatting more. Is it during the hand or when a hand is over? Do they talk more or less after they lose or win a hand? As with any player pick up on when they choose to talk not necessarily what they are saying. What they say shouldn’t be given too much credibility as everyone at the poker table is usually there to make money or advance in a tournament. Jamie Gold was a master at confusing his opponents when he won the world series of poker. In my opinion he played the perfect tournament because he was able to manipulate his opponents through his rhetoric. Look at the perfect reverse psychology he used in this video that helped him win a big hand.
If you can do this consistently you’re going to need more than one bank account for all the money that will be rolling in. Try not to analyze these chatty players to much as they’re relying on getting in your head by talking you into submission. Look at their betting patters and make a judgment based on your hand strength, the opponents’ position and how the hand flowed. Try an recall the last pot they’ve won and if possible how they played the hand.
If you can understand how a player thinks. What they are capable of. How they perceive you as a player. Is your table image tight or aggressive? How does each of your opponents react to your type of play? Recognize the behaviors of each person and assign them 2 questions that you can rely on when facing them during a hand. If there is a bet against player X and he/she calls are they drawing to improve their hand based on what’s on the board? If player x re-raises is it because they sense weakness at the table or are they the type of player who holds legitimate cards? When you’re involved in a hand and can answer these two questions make your move accordingly. It may take making mistakes in order to gain information but if you can remember and learn from them then you will eventually master the psychological element of the game.
The Cold Shoulder - If you’re at a table for a few hours and there’s someone who doesn’t say much at all what does this mean to you? Are they just unfriendly? Maybe they’re having a bad day. Who knows, maybe they had a bad lunch. From 1000’s of hours of being at the poker table you can rely on a few things about the silent player. Next time you encounter one glance at their chips. In all likelihood they’re perfectly stacked, almost guarded in a way. These players will never react directly to what you say nor will they show much emotion while they’re playing. All players should try and understand their opponents in order to gain an advantage. This quiet behavior screams a few things. This player doesn’t want to give anything away. They feel the smallest move or discussion will give their opponent an advantage. Most pros tend to be very quiet especially during a hand as to not reveal the strength of their cards. This player is also very aware of his/her surroundings. Even though they appear not to be paying attention – trust me, they are. Play very aggressively against this type of player. If they hit their hand you may even be able to bluff them out depending on how strong the flop was for them. These players tend to be passive and will only play aggressive when they have an unbeatable hand. Look for betting patters. If you pick up on any – rely on them as these players will rarely change betting strategies. Look at how often they play and what spot they choose to play. If they’re playing more hands in later position then it’s safe to assume the types of cards they’re choosing to continue the hand with are marginal.
Chatty Cathy – Now you’re at the table with someone who just can’t stop talking. Their entire existence is based around you listening to what they have to say. The importance of everything coming out of their mouth is considered to be like gold (to them anyway). This can be a great player to be up against because they tend to give things away without realizing it. They’ll also try to become friends with everyone at the table in order to gain some sympathy for later hands where they might be in trouble. As you analyze this player look for clues to when they are chatting more. Is it during the hand or when a hand is over? Do they talk more or less after they lose or win a hand? As with any player pick up on when they choose to talk not necessarily what they are saying. What they say shouldn’t be given too much credibility as everyone at the poker table is usually there to make money or advance in a tournament. Jamie Gold was a master at confusing his opponents when he won the world series of poker. In my opinion he played the perfect tournament because he was able to manipulate his opponents through his rhetoric. Look at the perfect reverse psychology he used in this video that helped him win a big hand.
If you can do this consistently you’re going to need more than one bank account for all the money that will be rolling in. Try not to analyze these chatty players to much as they’re relying on getting in your head by talking you into submission. Look at their betting patters and make a judgment based on your hand strength, the opponents’ position and how the hand flowed. Try an recall the last pot they’ve won and if possible how they played the hand.
If you can understand how a player thinks. What they are capable of. How they perceive you as a player. Is your table image tight or aggressive? How does each of your opponents react to your type of play? Recognize the behaviors of each person and assign them 2 questions that you can rely on when facing them during a hand. If there is a bet against player X and he/she calls are they drawing to improve their hand based on what’s on the board? If player x re-raises is it because they sense weakness at the table or are they the type of player who holds legitimate cards? When you’re involved in a hand and can answer these two questions make your move accordingly. It may take making mistakes in order to gain information but if you can remember and learn from them then you will eventually master the psychological element of the game.
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