When playing poker in a live casino, experienced poker players look out for poker tells. Poker tells are the actions and reactions of an opponent where a player may be able to gage the type of hand they are holding. Poker tells are normally where a player has the same type of reaction patterns when holding certain cards. Some poker tells include, but are not limited to: fidgeting in the seat, placing of chips, breathing, tone of voice, facial expressions, and the directions of one's gaze. With the advent and popularity of free online poker, tell have become related other factors instead of visible body language.
A popular tell when playing free online poker is how fast an opponent is playing. Aside from a bad connection or lag, the rate of speed a person bets is a good indicator for their strength or weakness in a hand. It is widely thought that the faster you place a bet, the weaker the hand you have, and the slower a bet is placed, the stronger hand is held, however this may well be a myth.
A more useful strategy regarding speed of bet is to watch players and analyze their speed when in a hand. Each individual may vary. If possible keep track of each players speed and watch the results of their betting. For example, if a player is involved in a large pot and bets quickly after seeing the flop and eventually loses the hand, then this person's betting quickness is a sign of weakness if it is fast. A person who bets slowly in a big pot might be building the pot and indicate a strong hand when they exercise a slow rate of betting. Since each individual has his/her own style of betting speed, it is important to analyze each style before making assumptions.
When looking out for tells its always worth considering what else may be happening with the other player behind the scenes rather that just assuming they are fast or slow playing due to the hands they hold. For example, they may well be playing a few tables at once, or surfing the net while waiting for their turn. If a player is constantly playing slow then there is every possibility that this is the case and that they are doing more than one thing at once. Consistency is critical to eliminating bet speed as a tell with this type of player. In addition, the quality of the player's internet connection can interfere with their bet speed.
Online poker tells theories have evolved over the years. It is still the best bet to analyze each player individually rather then make overall assumptions regarding tells. This holds true in both real and free online poker.
Thursday, 28 January 2010
Thursday, 14 January 2010
Win your next Free Online Poker Game by Breaking Your Hand Chasing Habit
Many free online poker players and way too many higher stake players have a bad habit called "chasing". A bad habit that you will recognise as having analogies in many human pursuits not just poker, especially money and relationship ones!
To 'chase' is to call the hand when they think that they are behind in the hope that they can stay in game and get a better hand later on.
I always say that I would chase down a parked car, just in the hopes I hit. This could be considered a negative thing, because people just think "Oh, they are just a bad player".
So a lot of people take advantage of the chaser by betting bigger trying to get them out of pot when they obviously see there is a possible hand the chaser is chasing. But if the chaser is bound and determined to chase he will call the hand.
Many players chase a hand because they are pot committed. This is when they have invested many chips into the hand and chase hoping to hit their prayer, regardless of the consequences.
They say people who do this have a lack of discipline, which means no patience, and in a rush to play the hand. It is true that chasing is truly a bad habit though now and again it can pay off which is why people continue do it rather than focus on consistent long term poker game skill. With that said I must say that playing a 4/6 versus an AK is thrilling especially when it hits.
If you are a self confessed chaser and find it difficult to stop, try to do it less often by knowing when its time to fold. By chasing too often you can put yourself in a vulnerable position and end up losing. Pick your chase carefully if you want to win.
Whether or not you are a chaser, you will need to learn as much as you can about pot odds when playing any type of poker. This is especially important if you want to move up in the poker world from free online poker to high stakes poker and start to win some big money.
To 'chase' is to call the hand when they think that they are behind in the hope that they can stay in game and get a better hand later on.
I always say that I would chase down a parked car, just in the hopes I hit. This could be considered a negative thing, because people just think "Oh, they are just a bad player".
So a lot of people take advantage of the chaser by betting bigger trying to get them out of pot when they obviously see there is a possible hand the chaser is chasing. But if the chaser is bound and determined to chase he will call the hand.
Many players chase a hand because they are pot committed. This is when they have invested many chips into the hand and chase hoping to hit their prayer, regardless of the consequences.
They say people who do this have a lack of discipline, which means no patience, and in a rush to play the hand. It is true that chasing is truly a bad habit though now and again it can pay off which is why people continue do it rather than focus on consistent long term poker game skill. With that said I must say that playing a 4/6 versus an AK is thrilling especially when it hits.
If you are a self confessed chaser and find it difficult to stop, try to do it less often by knowing when its time to fold. By chasing too often you can put yourself in a vulnerable position and end up losing. Pick your chase carefully if you want to win.
Whether or not you are a chaser, you will need to learn as much as you can about pot odds when playing any type of poker. This is especially important if you want to move up in the poker world from free online poker to high stakes poker and start to win some big money.
Wednesday, 6 January 2010
Free Poker Guide to Being an OK Poker Player
When I first started playing poker, and even free poker, I was sure that it was a sure fire way to lose money. That is, until I played in my first poker tournament in a live casino.
To my amazement I won the tournament and it gave me a real boost to continue playing. Years on, I am still playing poker and even though I have lost quite a lot of games, I also win quite a lot too and am never really out of pocket.
I now see poker as a bit of a habit too which is easily maintained due to the many enjoyable poker sites I have listed on my desktop I do love the game and am constantly learning new approaches and ways to develop my game it's a constant learning experience.
I do believe that online gaming is much different to live table play which I think is better as you get to feel your enemy and be there literally. I have found that the rule book to playing poker is simply the basics and to play with venom at your own pace with whatever two cards your dealt and are comfortable with.
I think is the best possible way, although a little killer poker from time to time is necessary to enable you to experience the thrill and excitement of true poker.
I do find that online poker is also pretty good, in that you can quite often find lots of new players who are looking to make a bit of cash that you can take out quite easily.
I like to play tight mostly and watch the cards unfold on the flop, as you can imagine I do a lot of folding but since I lost a bit I now play a bit loose if I can and it makes a difference to my bankroll but depletes my bankroll management. The more I play the more I learn and I love it, have fun in the world of poker folks and If you're new start out playing on free poker sites and learn as much as you can before you start risking real money.
To my amazement I won the tournament and it gave me a real boost to continue playing. Years on, I am still playing poker and even though I have lost quite a lot of games, I also win quite a lot too and am never really out of pocket.
I now see poker as a bit of a habit too which is easily maintained due to the many enjoyable poker sites I have listed on my desktop I do love the game and am constantly learning new approaches and ways to develop my game it's a constant learning experience.
I do believe that online gaming is much different to live table play which I think is better as you get to feel your enemy and be there literally. I have found that the rule book to playing poker is simply the basics and to play with venom at your own pace with whatever two cards your dealt and are comfortable with.
I think is the best possible way, although a little killer poker from time to time is necessary to enable you to experience the thrill and excitement of true poker.
I do find that online poker is also pretty good, in that you can quite often find lots of new players who are looking to make a bit of cash that you can take out quite easily.
I like to play tight mostly and watch the cards unfold on the flop, as you can imagine I do a lot of folding but since I lost a bit I now play a bit loose if I can and it makes a difference to my bankroll but depletes my bankroll management. The more I play the more I learn and I love it, have fun in the world of poker folks and If you're new start out playing on free poker sites and learn as much as you can before you start risking real money.
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