Observation: A Key Strategy in Poker
Beginning poker players tend to fall into other player's traps when reading their behavior. This happens because of a lack of knowledge in what behavior to read and how to read it. Reading behavior in poker falls into the key strategy of observation, which also includes assessing the whole course of the game.
The main idea behind observation is that, in poker, since all players do not know what the cards others are holding, everyone employs deception. Each player has their own traps, waiting for other players to be lured. A good picture of the course of the game and each player's behavior would mean that you avoid these traps, and therefore turn the tide of the game in your favor.
Perhaps the most obvious point of observation is the player's behavior. However, beginning poker players often fail to understand that behavior does not only mean physical behavior like facial expression, tone of voice, and body language. A good strategy would be to go beyond these physical behaviors, ignoring them even, in order to focus on game behavior.
Game behavior consists of betting patterns, pot odds, their fold or flop percentages. A good poker strategy would be taking a mental note of the consistency of betting patterns: When does each player bluff? When do they slow-play? Also look out for thresholds, or up to what point do certain players bet.
Keep in mind that a consistent behavior is now always favorable for a poker player: being predictable might mean that a player expects you to act in a certain manner that would be favorable to that player. Always have a keen eye on suspicious consistencies: oftentimes the most predictable players are also the most deceitful ones.
Also observe pot odds as a part of your poker strategy. How much does each player bet in relation to what they expect to win? If their bet is considerably larger than the pot, then try to assess the situation by comparing their past behavior with this current one.
The most important aspect of the poker strategy of observation, however, is assessing the course of the game. This requires a good memory of what happened and how it happened. Remember that certain situations in poker tend to repeat. This means that once that situation comes again, you would have a very good chance of predicting how it would be played.
Remember: a good poker strategy is a strategy that employs observation as one of its essential tools. Learning to read other player's behavior and tendencies mean that you avoid their traps and have a chance of luring them into yours. This also means that you have a chance of controlling the table, which in turn would win you the game.