Many people see online poker as a depersonalized version of the sport where it's harder to select up reads. It's hard to argue with this viewpoint. However, there are lots of subtle tells you could pick up when playing online that many fail to notice.
By such "tells" I mean that there are lots of signs online players give off to suggest whether or not they are recreational players or regulars. Having this knowledge about opponent can go a ways toward helping you're making better decisions in key pots.
In this newsletter I WILL discuss my top seven how one can recover reads on opponents when playing online poker.
1. Table Count
At most online poker rooms, there's a "search a player" feature. One of the vital easiest how you can get a greater read on what form of players you're up against is to go looking them right there at the site.
If they're only playing on one or two tables, then there's a good chance they're recreational players of a few sort. In the event that they are playing on 10 tables, though, chances are high that better they're a regular grinders and even professionals.
If they block themselves from being searched (an option on most sites), chances are high that also higher that the player is a tight regular. The hunt" a player" technique isn't a foolproof tell by any means, but often the effects are pretty revealing.
2. Stack Size and Auto-Rebuy
Another common tell that online poker players give off is with their stack size and in the event that they employ the auto-rebuy feature.
Typically most regulars will buy in for the utmost amount at a web-based poker table, usually 100 big blinds (in no-limit hold'em games). The explanation why is pretty simple — if you're properly bankrolled for the sport (that you have to be) and also you are one of the crucial better players, then having probably the most money in front of you goes to permit you to win the most.
Recreational players, at the other hand, usually are not properly bankrolled and they'll often just buy in for some random amount that may be not up to the utmost. Also, unlike regulars, they won't employ the auto-rebuy feature when their stack size drops below a definite amount.
3. Postflop Bet-Sizing
Another easy method to spot recreational players is by the bet sizing they use after the flop.
Most good regulars will rarely bet not up to half the pot postflop in a cash game. However, weaker players will frequently bet much less, sometimes even just making the minimum bet amount. This shows a scarcity of understanding of the mathematics of the sport and is typical of players who only play the sport for fun.
4. Posting a Blind Out of Position
Another sure-fire tell that online poker players give off is thru how they post the blinds. Regulars will just about always look ahead to the blinds to return to them before posting. Recreational players, at the other hand, will frequently post the blinds before this — that is, once they come on the table.
This is the poker equivalent of voluntarily paying your taxes twice. Nobody who takes this game seriously would ever decide to do that. Take a note in no time while you see somebody post the blinds out of position.
5. Chat Box Tells
I am typically not a large proponent of using the chat box when playing online poker, as I BELIEVE it may be distracting and infrequently exposes you to nasty, unpleasant comments. However, there can also be some merit to switching it on every so often with a view to get a snappy read in your opponents.
The large majority of regulars won't ever say something as they've the chat box turned off. The recreational players are more likely to use it, though. They are going to be more apt to make use of the chat box to vent about their "bad luck" as well.
6. Passive Play
Another common strategy to spot a recreational player is by passive play. By this I mean calling so much preflop and postflop after which folding without going to showdown. This form of play will significantly harm your "red line" (or non-showdown winnings) and is usually not an excessively profitable technique to play the game.
By contrast, the regulars can be more likely to make aggressive three- and four-bets before the flop. They'll be more inclined to stay active after the flop as well, with more betting, raising, and bluffing.
7. Timing Tells
Lastly, online poker players unknowingly are likely to give off every kind of timing tells after they play.
The best regulars will attempt to mask timing tells by taking the same period of time for his or her actions whether or not they are betting for value or bluffing. Recreational players, though, will often make erratic snap decisions that give away the strength in their hand.
Take, for example, the old instant call at the flop. When somebody calls me on the speed of sound, this tells me the player took zero time to consider other options within the hand (comparable to raising or folding). This means to me the player probably has some form of mediocre hand like middle pair or a draw. Therefore, I'LL BE more likely to use pressure on later streets so as to move the player off the hand.
Final Thoughts
While online poker is played on computers and tablets and we never actually get to look our opponent, nearly all players still give off subtle tells. These can provide us an concept of not just what form of players they are, but additionally clues concerning the strength in their hands.
None of the methods above are supposed to be 100% foolproof. You'll encounter professionals who for whatever reason are only playing on one table. Additionally they might choose to buy briefly or get active within the chat box.
However, more often than not, the seven tells discussed above provides you with a greater read of the kind of player you're up against and a greater idea concerning the strength of that player's hand.
Nathan "BlackRain79" Williams is the writer of the preferred micro stakes strategy books Crushing the Microstakes and Modern Small Stakes. He also blogs regularly about all things associated with the micros over at www.blackrain79.com.
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