Poker Strategies for Online Play
Everybody knows that when you play poker, you're not just playing your cards, you're also playing your opponent. It's more important to observe your opponents mannerings and style of play than anything else. Often players have subconcious mannerisms that show through when they are playing that help give away the type of cards they have. When playing at a casino table, you have the advantage of watching your players in person. If you've ever seen professional poker, you'll notice some players play with sunglasess. This is not to look cool, but because they realize that even the most skilled players in the world can't control their eyes. When you have a good hand, subtle things such as your eyes expanding, or staring for just a split second longer than a weak hand tend to occur. And a skilled opponent will see this, and take advantage.
Unfortunately online poker doesn't allow for these visual obervations, and you need to monitor a players style of play instead of their physical characteristics. Players have a certain way of betting, folding and raising, and if you watch these closely, take notes and pay close attention to when they show their cards, you can begin to anticipate the cards they have based on how they bet. Learning to do this online will GREATLY enhance your game in person poker skills as well, as these skills can be put to use in any game. I highly recommend practicing these skills online, especially at casinos that offer low stakes games for practice.
Finding your opponents tell
A tell is something your opponent does whenever they receive a good or bad hand. I've played many games where players fidget with their glasses, or their begin tapping the table whenever they are bluffing, because they are nervous. As previously mentioned, you can't see these movements online, which helps novice players who haven't yet learned to control their tells. The key to finding your opponents tell when playing online poker lies in observing the way they bet, and watching what they have when the cards are drawn.
Novice players generally break down into two categories: cautious or reckless players, with a very small number of players falling in between. The most important thing when playing against players online for the first time is to observe their betting styles. If a player constantly bets low and checks, but suddenly goes all in, you can be fairly certain that they have a good hand. Because they are cautious it is unlikely they will bet everything on a bluff.
See your opponents cards
If you're on the fence and having trouble reading your opponent, in a lower stakes game sometimes its worth the risk to see your opponents cards. From what you'll be able to tell based on their betting style and whether or not they were bluffing. Even though you may need to take it on the chin a few times, the knowledge that you gain about your opponents playing style should give you the edge you need to make it back in no time. Just make sure you pick your battles, don't bet the farm on every hand, but when you're on the fence and aren't sure about what your opponent has, sometimes it may be worth the risk just to learn a bit about your opponents style.
Mix it up
We all understand that you have your own style of play, but you need to keep in mind that chances are, your opponents are reading the same strategy guides that you are. As a result, you'd better believe they are watching the way you bet, monitoring the cards you play and doing the best they can to anticipate your next move. The most important thing to remember is not to fall into a pattern, and keep mixing it up. Don't fall into the trap of setting a routine, or your opponents will take advantage of this. Raise before the flop, be switch from aggressive to conservative, make it clear that you won't be bullied. Not only will your opponent realize that they can't necessarily read you, but it will put them on the defensive, and they will be more likely to make a mistake.
Monitor betting time
Most online poker sites have the ability to preset a raise. For example. lets say im the last person in the round to bet. At the beginning of the round right off the flop I see I have a flush. I immediately enter that I want to raise $10 when it comes around to my turn. My opponents notice that everyone takes a few seconds to check as they go along, but when it gets to my turn, I raise by $10 IMMEDIATELY. Raising by $10 could mean that I'm bluffing, but the fact that the raise happened immediately tells my opponents something much more. It indicates that not only did I raise, but that I planned to raise even before I saw what my opponents did. I am so confident in my cards that I planned on raising right away. My opponents should see this and take this into consideration heavily. Watch how long it takes your opponents to bet, and take my advice - NEVER use this feature yourself. Pay attention to the game, never autobet. Wait your turn, and raise. It's also important to monitor hesitation on the parts of your opponents. If they usually bet within 5 seconds, but it takes them 15 seconds on one hand it could mean that they are thinking hard and may not have the best hand. Of course, since this is online poker, there could be any reason for this delay, so keep that in mind when watching your opponents.