Learn to Play Texas Hold'em Like a Professional

How to Read Poker Player Emotions & Reactions While Playing the Game

Nov 10, 2009 Deborah Read

Can anyone master the game of Texas Hold'em? Absolutely. With the right game strategies and understanding of the basics, anyone can become the next "Chris Moneymaker".

Chris Moneymaker won the 2003 World Series of Poker Championship in Las Vegas, Nevada with only three years Texas Hold'em playing experience. How did he do it? Quite simply, he learned both sides of the game and remembered the basic rules.

Basic rules in card and betting strategies are extremely important when learning to play the game but understanding the emotional motivations of the players is equally important. Never assume a player can't be read, no matter how cool, calm and collected a player appears to be. Learning what to look for will help to grow a new player's confidence and make those card and betting strategies easier to implement.

It Pays to Pay Attention to the Other Players at All Times

Perhaps the decision to fold was an easy one as the hole cards (the two cards dealt to begin the round) came up 9-2. Just because the hand is no longer active does not mean the player should stop playing. There is much to learn from the table when not in a hand. When a player isn’t trying so hard to hide his or her own tells (physical and/or emotional giveaways), it’s easier to pick up on the ones of others.

Make mental notes on which players only play strong hands like A-A, A-K, K-K, K-Q, Q-Q or J-J. It is also easy to note which players show the strength, or lack thereof, of their hands by watching their eyes. There’s a reason why professional players often wear sunglasses at the table; eye reactions can be a dead giveaway.

Learn Poker Terminology as Part of the Game Strategy

Knowing the terms will save a new player from being confused when all the conversation at the table is straight poker talk. Players will often banter with each other when awaiting a new deal about what their motivation was for being in the last hand.

Tells are often revealed in these conversations so paying attention is key and knowing the poker terminology used will just make the learning easier. Understanding conversation like, "In the 2/5 game I played last night, I made Broadway on the turn but the guy in the four seat rivered quads! Can you believe it?" will make sitting at the table a lot more comfortable.

A Poker Player's Hand is Private Unless Showing is Required

Unless a player pays for the right to see cards in a showdown, keep the identity of the hole cards unknown. If all other players have folded, there is no reason to show the strength of the hand played. If shown unnecessarily, good players will remember how the hand was played and use the information at the next opportunity.

Players giving away strategies at a poker table is never a good idea. Showing the other players cards there was no obligation to reveal can do precisely that. The biggest tell to be learned by the other players? A player who shows unnecessarily will rarely show anything but great hands and that makes a bluff much easier to detect.

Keep Your Emotions in Check While Playing the Game

When a player checks a hand, the decision has been made to pass on the chance to bet. Checking your emotions means passing on the chance to tip the playing field in favor of the other players. Staying cool is a player's best defense to being read by the others. Going on tilt, or losing control, will only result in making foolish decisions and that’s never a winning game strategy.

Always Remember Who the “New Guy” is at The Table

With these basic rules, a beginning player can be well on the way to playing Texas Hold’em in any casino poker room. When a new player forgets the basics, seasoned players will regularly try to isolate this beginner. They’ll know he or she is just a fish waiting to be caught, over and over again. Remember the basics and the odds on the chance to win money will improve considerably.

Understanding the emotional aspects of playing Texas Hold'em is extremely important but must be coupled with the basic rules in card and betting strategies for the knowledge to be effective. Learn them both, gain some playing experience and get ready to play with the pros.