GATHERING INFORMATION

I was at a new poker site yesterday (I try new sites out frequently) and used my normal habit of just watching a couple of Texas Hold ‘Em single table tournaments (STTs) to see the layout and watch the players. It’s amazing how much information the players will give you if you just pay attention.

WATCH, DON’T PLAY

I was watching a particular table from the beginning where all players but one started off very tight; either folding or limping in.

The ‘but one’  decided to bet big on the first 8 hands.  Yes, he could have been lucky, but in most cases he was playing anything, knowing the others would fold.  That only works until another player or two gets a good hand and the game is up.  After being clipped pretty good on the next two hands, he settled down with less chips than most of the others at the table.  He continued to be in  almost every hand (guess where he finished).

One of the players, once he limped in or bet on a hand, felt he had to continue until he was sure he couldn’t make his hand (guess where he finished).

Another player was playing Ace anything as if it were a flush. Yet another player (playing tight), when he did bet, made it the first big bet and dropped out every time, as if he was afraid to lose any more of his chips.

Getting information like this is invaluable in the middle and late stages of the tournament. Players will usually revert back to their beginning style once it appears they have a chance to finish in the money.

If you see yourself as one of the above mentioned players, you need to read about the ~MISTAKES~ that are made by most beginning players. They are usually too busy preparing for ‘not losing’ than gaining information on the other players. Many times the hand that wins is not the best hand, but the player who bet correctly with the information he gathered.

SUMMARY

• Log onto the site where you want to play
• Rail (watch) one of the tables just starting
• pick out a player and follow what he/she does through one rotation
• pick another player
• do the same thing
• make little notes on each one

You will amaze yourself by what information you can learn from players online without ever seeing them!

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