I’ve never been any good at this so I can’t really be sure. Other than in poker, does it help to learn how your opponent in game will bet? Can you gain an upper hand in other games too or does it not really have any effect?

Well I guess any game that you are directly playing against another player and not against the house, yes.  If you can see where another player is going ahead of time, of course it will help you play better against them.  Usually this will take many games to find others “tells”, if you ever do.

Sure, if you are playing with an actual player you can pick up on how they are betting which can help you out. They could be bluffing as well but that is the chance you will have to take. If you are playing with that person for awhile though you should be able to pick up how they bet. I usually will stand and watch a few hands before I sit at a table and that helps me get a read of who I am betting against.

I’ve only had success with that in poker but I would imagine that the same thing would work for other table games to a degree.  With poker, if you can figure out your opponent’s tells, you will win so much more often.  Of course, the trickiest part is to not reveal any tells to them about your own play.

I think that for anybody who wants to take cards up professionally, this is the main course of study.  If you already know the basic rules, you need to take the game to the next level and studying your opponents is how you do this.

I just love the beginning of a new poker game when you’re learning the other player’s ‘tells’. They all have tiny little reactions that they try so hard to hide when they’re bluffing or when they’ve got a really good hand. But you learn to spot them :D

My friends and I play a game called Kemps all the time! You have to watch your opponents for a while, but yes, I do believe that you can learn their style. This also helps you because you can figure out ways to avoid being caught by them too if you’re cheating… but who cheats? lol

Yes, in most poker games you will notice that the players will study how their opponents play how they bet, how they show their hands and the like. It gives you an advantage to recognize their style because you can adjust your style and bet accordingly. Anything you can notice of your opponent is beneficial to you.

You can read people to a certain extent - hence the term poker face - and in games like Poker its very important to do this.

I’m always mindful of opponents learning MY tells, so I try hard to bluff my own facial expressions or betting patterns so I can’t be second-guessed by anyone else.

I guess as long as you can sense a pattern and be able to follow it, then sure - why not? I think it’s totally possible. Have I ever? No.

Just like I said before, are we supposed to try and do this?

Roxxy - 15 February 2009 09:56 AM

Just like I said before, are we supposed to try and do this?

Well, if you want to know when the best opportunity to pull the whool over your opponants eyes is and totally blind them with your skills as your triumphantly come out on top and WIN… yes.

Just simple analyzing and common sense is all that’s needed to figure out a pattern or style.

In many games if you are studying/observing his style, you could definitely come to know about his bets. I don’t suggest you use it but knowing your opponent’s plan would definitely help you to formulate a better plan.

Like I said in some other thread, I am not a big observer but yes if I decide, I an surely learn and copy my opponents style.

Well I think if anyone one has ready my intro thread, he would know that I am a smart player and smart player would always keep an eye on opponent’s game. So yes I can surely learn my opponents game.