| Understanding
how people perceive you at the poker table is often as important as
knowing which cards to play. In fact, the most important adjustment I
was forced to make in order to beat the world's best players was to
become aware of how my play was affecting my table image.
Here's
an extremely simple example to illustrate my point. Let's say that in a
15-minute span you've been caught bluffing four times. Well, if your
opponents are even slightly perceptive, they'll notice that tendency.
Further bluffing is going to be much less effective.
That fact will either help you or hurt you depending on how well you adjust to your perceived table image.
In
one sense, your bluffing spree will likely cause your opponents to call
you with much weaker hands. They're hoping that you're still bluffing.
When you do catch a very strong hand, you won't have to do anything
tricky to ensure getting full value for the hand.
On the other
side of the coin, you have to be aware that your bluffs will be called
more often, so you'd be wise to tighten up your play and wait for
better starting cards.
There are pros and cons to being pegged
as a mad bluffer. You'll no longer be able to steal pots that you might
otherwise have been able to take down with a timely bet. But at the
same time, you'll get full value for your strong non-bluffing hands.
As
you can see, although your table image is established, you can make
adjustments to exploit that image and use it to your advantage.
Here's
another example: You've been playing for five hours and haven't been
dealt many good cards. It's been one fold after another, making it look
like you're playing very conservatively. The few hands you've played
were very powerful ones.
Well, this tight, conservative table image also has its pros and cons.
Your
opponents notice that you play like the Rock of Gibraltar, and that
when you bet, you always have a monster hand. Use that table image to
your advantage and steal some huge pots! Since everyone has you pegged
as Mr. Tight Guy who only plays the nuts, your bets will get
significant respect.
You can profit from this conservative table
image as well. Yes, you'll lose a little value when you have a strong
hand, but you'll more than make up for it when you have a weak hand and
bluff at a huge pot.
Other behaviors will also have an impact on your table image.
Let's
say that you've been on a killer rush and are winning every pot in
sight. Your opponents may begin to fear you, thinking, "Man, this guy
is just too lucky." On top of that, your positive frame of mind will
disturb players who are losing so many pots to you. This is an
excellent table image to cultivate and will cause your frustrated
opponents to make more errors.
Conversely, if you're running
very unlucky -- losing every pot on the river -- your opponents will
likely attempt to take advantage of you. They'll presume that you're on
tilt since you've been losing so much. This gives them even more
confidence.
In this situation, don't let them see you sweat, and
don't complain or cry. Your opponents should never know that your cold
streak is affecting you. When you're getting beat up at the tables you
simply need to take your lumps and walk away.
Of course, when
the cards are coming and your table image is working, that's the time
to exploit it. That's when you want everyone to know how you're
feeling. Say something like, "Man, I'm just hitting every hand. The
cards keep coming and coming!"
Reinforce your image of being "too lucky" and you'll maintain a psychological edge over your opponents.
By DANIEL NEGREANU |
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