Poker: Learn to Glance Around
When you play poker and a rumored good player joins the poker table with you do not be pressured to show off. Continue to observe all players for their style and tell signs. This good player might be losing small bets in the early part of the game to check on the other players' abilities. That means you have to be careful for other players at the table might be doing some observing too. In this article, you will understand why it important to observe how poker players react.
It is really important to not get too excited on showing that you have talent too when playing against a good player. If you are one of those good players too, this game could be a battle of talent and luck. Initially, you may say the rumors were bad: the looks of this guy just don't fit the image of those winner guys you see on World Series of Poker. It could be true you play better than he does, no body can tell until the games begin.
And so when the cards are being dealt, you feel the pressure of winning the game and proving yourself. You may have the tendency to stare at your cards without even glancing at the other players. The result of your analysis was wonderful: you are raking in pot after pot. Then you wonder what is so good about this other good player. It seems like he is not so good after all.
Then after several games it became established in your mind that the good player was just not up to your level of proficiency. So when he called for a raise in the bet, you were thinking that there was nothing he was worthy of showing. You shoved in part of your stack. Then he raised again, you raised with him too. Then suddenly at showdown, he got you beat.
Nice luck, you say. But after that you were slowly losing and losing pot after pot. The stack of chips you had on the table is leaving you piece by piece. The thing to do would be to quit the game or else lose all the chips you previously own. You wonder what went wrong.
One reason could be that you failed to observe tell signs. Certain people make certain reactions when given a set of cards and/or when community cards are revealed. You may find a smirk on their face that could mean a good poker hand. When a frown is observed, then it could mean the player's hand missed the cards on the table to make a good hand.
When you just stared at your card all throughout the game, you are missing out the tell signs. And if you don't want to let other people read your position, you may either bluff or maintain a constant face with no reactions when the community cards are laid down or when cards are distributed.
So when you play poker this weekend, don't keep staring at your cards. Keep that stoic face and be observant of the other players' reactions. This talent cannot be learned overnight, it will take some time. Try to play as many kind of players as possible and take note of how they reaction to certain situations in the game.
So the next time that guy shows up, you'll be ready for him.