There’s a famous quote from the most iconic poker movie, ‘Rounders’, that says: “If you can’t spot the sucker in the first half hour at the table, then you ARE the sucker.”.
It is extremely important that at the time you sit at a poker table, you pay attention to all details around you. Not only how your opponents are playing but also how they are behaving at the table. For example, if you find yourself playing at a table with players that are having a few beers, chatting with others, and eating a sandwich, then you know they are likely not thinking too much about strategies and how to play optimally. These players might want to see a lot of flops, they might want to call you often on the river, they might want to bluff you more, and etc. Although, the exact tendencies need to be spotted by you, and you only. The more information you have, the more you understand how your opponents are playing, and the more you can figure out what the optimal strategy may be.
You will need multiple strategies within the same poker game. You will often be playing against 6-9 players, and it is crucial you adapt your game in order to combat each and all of them effectively. Hopefully, this section helped you identify the different types of players at the table and help you figure out the optimal strategies.
Keep in mind that good players will also be doing the exact same thing on their end. Make sure you are aware of your own image and how the other players perceive your game to be. By doing this, you will be one step ahead and will allow you to be more unpredictable.
Poker is a game that requires you to continuously pay attention to your opponents, to yourself, and to the circumstances. It is a game that requires you to always be adaptive. And the more adaptive you are, the more success you will have at the tables!