The 5 Levels of a poker player

MadNinja · #1 03-20-05, 12:47 PM

This was posted by ChipFish a little while ago:

I've posted this before, but it's certainly worth posting again: As your poker game improves, you advance through a number of "levels." In the list below, Penguinfan is saying Level 1 people need to get to Level 2, which is true, but keep in mind how much farther there is to go.

1. Knowing what you have.
2. Knowing what your opponent has.
3. Knowing what your opponent thinks you have.
4. Knowing what your opponent thinks you think he has.
5. Knowing what your opponent thinks you think he thinks you have.

It's interesting how complicated a game poker becomes the deeper you get into it. I can't even begin to fathom levels 4 and 5 in the near future, but I think it's important that ChipFish mentioned these levels because it's true- your own cards are only a miniscule part of the hand.

What interests me with these levels at my stage of the game is Level 2.
It's not enough to just find the aggressive and tight players at a table. I've started to get curious now when people limp into pots (especially aggressive players) and certain all-in bets to steal pots. I was wondering what types of things the more skilled players look for when reading hands. I guess the obvious one would be betting patterns (especially online) but what else should I be looking for?

In terms of betting patterns, what are the signs of a small pair, a high pair and rags? I think if I can get a good handle on Level 2 I won't be crying that the sites are rigged-LOL.

Talking Poker · #2 03-20-05, 01:15 PM

Posted by ChipFish, huh? You sure?

Talking Poker · #3 03-20-05, 01:24 PM

As for your question, I think it's a very difficult one to answer. Maybe I'm just not good enough to be able to answer it, but I don't think you can read people using a set of rules...

"Oh, he made this bet in this position preflop and now did this after a flop of this this and this with two of this suit - Well, then, he must have this."

I think reading people comes from experience. Different players play differently in different situations.

I think the idea here is that as a hand progresses, a story is being told, and your job is to work with the data you have and figure it out all. You should put your opponent on a range of hands, and as you gather more information (past experience/betting patterns, each bet/check he makes during the hand, each card on the board, etc), you should be able to narrow down that range. Too many players try to come up with an exact hand when reading their opponent, and there are times when you can, but I think it's better to come up with a small group of possible hands your opponent could be holding and then assign %s of likelihood to each of them. Once you have and process all this information, you should be able to decide what the correct play for you to make is.

MadNinja · #4 03-20-05, 01:25 PM

Yeah, yeah

You know what I meant. LOL

ChipFish · #5 03-20-05, 02:32 PM

Stop trying to take my credit TP!

Vatrlrman · #6 03-21-05, 02:08 PM

Well said. I think that before you can progress successfully past level 1 you have to be able to take good notes. (Even if using Poker Tracker) Pay attention to the table, especially if you are not in the hand. If you are new at this, pick one player (I suggest one to your immediate left or right) and just watch him/her, how they bet or check, what do they raise with, do they go to showdown, ect.

Then expand to others as you continue to play. Making a read is all about information and the more you have the better you will be.

P.S. Thanks for the post ChipFish

Talking Poker · #7 03-21-05, 02:44 PM

sea · #8 03-21-05, 02:52 PM

Nice categories, ChipFish.

And Vatrlrman, thanks for the practical advice on watching an opponent. I want to learn to read players, and this sounds like a great way to get started.