Poker is a peculiar game in that you often come across players who are great at analysing hands and making reads from the rail but don’t make good decisions in the heat of battle. This is one of the key differences between okay poker players and good winning players – the ability not only to make accurate reads but also to act on them effectively.
It’s amazing how often players don’t back their reads, especially if it involves making a bluff or difficult call. Often at a live table you’ll hear people say things like, ‘I know you don’t have anything, but I can’t call’ – and then they fold. Well here’s a thought: why not raise? You have a read, you know they’re weak and will have to fold most of their range to a raise. In that spot your hand doesn’t mean much as it’s going to be profitable for you to raise whatever you hold.
The best advice is to concentrate on thinking hands through in a logical fashion and then making the best decision. Don’t look at it as making a ‘brave’ bluff or a ‘hero’ call, just view it as either a good decision or not.
Backing yourself up
It’s important to adjust your actions to your opponent in the hand. For example, let’s say you’ve reached the river and you’re sure your opponent has a strong hand that he liked pre-flop and beyond, such as an over pair or top pair, top kicker. He bets the river and you’re convinced your hand, maybe top pair, mediocre kicker, is no good. You have two options that make sense now: folding or turning your hand into a bluff. In this situation your read is very strong and specific but your action still needs some thought. Against a calling station or a good player who knows you’re capable of bluffing, a raise may amount to setting money on fire. However, against players who are weak-tight and always fear monsters, raising can be hugely profitable in this spot.
Hand reading is not only about making good reads and understanding how your hand’s relative strength fares against your opponent, it is also about understanding the best way to act on your read in each situation and against different players. Remember, the more you practise and the more you back your reads the stronger a player you’ll become.
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