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Last issue, we began a brief discussion about reading opponents at the table. Who are they, and what are their motives for being in a game in the first place? The player who is in a game to have fun will be your best friend in the long run, as he is the player from whom you can win the most money. Certainly, there are other players from whom you will win chips, but to a lesser degree. For example, even the best player in a game may be beaten, and he may occasionally go on tilt. A player who's on tilt is also a dandy to play with, but let's get back to the player who is playing for entertainment only; what can you learn from him?

He's a player who will give you lots of information for free – and it's good stuff! He will give you information that will help you to outplay other players in the game. How can this be? One of the single most useful bits of information that you can gather while in a poker game is that of knowing what a player is going to do before it is his turn to act. I am not referring to when a player acts out of turn, thus giving everyone in the game some information. I am speaking of the innocuous things that this player will do that will enable you to read him – things such as beginning to fold before it is his turn to act. This is extremely valuable. Another bit of information is provided when he makes an obvious move toward his chips in a manner that tells you that his intention is to raise when the action gets to him. Have you any idea how much money this can mean to you, in both bets saved as well as additional bets earned?

For example, you have a semiweak hand that you would play only from late position and for only one bet, but you are in middle position. Now, you glance to your left and see all of the players between you and the button looking out the window! Each of them, in one way or another, is giving you an indication that he is going to muck his hand, or is merely going to call. In this situation, you may play a hand that you otherwise may have passed. This is not to say that you will win the pot, of course, but it has given you the opportunity to play a hand for profit that you otherwise could not have done. The flip side, of course, is when you are holding a monster hand in the same middle position. You can see, due to his inexperience, that the player to your left is going to raise. He is already cutting out the right number of chips and is not watching the action, as he already knows what he is going to do. In this situation, you can smooth-call with your big duke and then reraise.

An important thing to remember is not to be the kind of player who gives up this kind of information. When you are playing, always wait until it is your turn to act, even if you are going to fold. I have illustrated here how much information can be gained from a player who "acts out of turn" without actually doing so. Be careful not to pick up your chips or your cards until it is your turn to act. Playing in turn is not only the right thing to do, it will keep players from getting a line on your next move. Class dismissed.

Please write to me at [email protected]. I always look forward to receiving your comments and questions, and I personally will answer every letter I receive.