ITH Poker Forum

[Da_Big_Fish]

Basic question, but I figure this is a weak part of my game and I wanted to know how the experts go about it.

So, what's the process? Is it just thinking about every single hand they could hold given a flop or 4th or 5th street card?

I saw some DVDs by Ed Miller that I might get. The very first one deals with this.

Thanks guys for everything you do!

[Ed Miller]

It's hard to answer a question well that needs several books to cover adequately.

Basically I'd say there are three major components:

1. Process of Elimination
2. Recognition of Betting Patterns
3. Tells

The process of elimination is simply starting with the entire range of 1225 possible hands for each opponent and reevaluating the likelihood of each holding every time they do something. Raise preflop? Every hand may still be possible, but AA is now significantly more likely than T3o. Bet the flop into five players? It's not very likely the player hit the board in some way. Etc. As each opponent checks, calls, bets, and raises more throughout the hand, you get a clearer picture of which hands are most likely.

Betting patterns are shortcuts to the above process. Certain "plays" become fashionable among certain players. For instance, maybe someone decides that it's a good idea to check-call on the flop and then bet the turn if they pick up a draw. After a while it may become an established pattern, and then when you see it again, you immediately have a much clearer picture of your opponent's possible holdings.

Tells are the third aspect. They can sometimes be extremely specific... some players will give a long speech perhaps only if they hold the nuts. Other times they can be subtle and advisory... the player in seat three has sat up in her chair which she does only when she's watching the action keenly. That might allow you to narrow your range of hands for her even if you don't know exactly what kind of hand is making her sit up and take notice.

When you blend those three things together, you can get a picture of what your opponents have that's good enough to act on.

[Da_Big_Fish]

Thanks for responding Ed.

I guess I feel a little pressure in doing the first part. On the internet, I usually start getting the beeps as I think about what someone may have and the very few times I've sat in a casino, I kind of feel pressured to act quickly too.

There is no practice I can do except to play and try to figure it out.

Thanks again!