Winners Probe Effectively

Part I said that most people don't probe enough because they either don't value information highly enough or don't want to look bad or irritate opponents. It concluded with, "Since information is the key weapon in the poker wars, do whatever it takes to get it, even if it makes you uncomfortable … don't be afraid to probe!"



It also discussed a few probing techniques. This column will expand upon that discussion.



Comment on Specific Plays



After a hand is over, comment on the way it was played. Your opponents may tell you why they made certain plays, helping you to understand their thinking. Compliments are particularly effective because people love to hear them. If you give compliments like these, some players will be glad to explain their thinking:



"Great three-bet!"



"Wow, what a brilliant laydown."



"That was an amazing value-bet. I couldn't have done it."



Any of these compliments could encourage people to tell you how they think and provide valuable information about other players. For example, someone might say that he three-bet because the raiser is very loose and aggressive, or he folded because the bettor is extremely conservative.



Gentle criticisms also can elicit valuable information, but never make the obnoxious sorts of criticisms that we hear far too often. Here are a few examples from my book, The Psychology of Poker:



"I wonder why you didn't check-raise."



"I'm surprised that you called with that hand."



"Why would you try to bluff such a loose player?"



"That was a strange raise."



Gentle criticisms can work because "many people have a strong desire to be understood … For example, [they may] defend calling or raising with bad cards by explaining their reasons …



"Occasionally, someone will object to your probing. So what?" (Pages 102-103) You want to learn how people think, and even their objections may teach you something. But don't probe so often that you slow down the game or are seen as obnoxious.



Pause After Probing



Pausing uses silence to encourage a response. Many people can't handle silence and speak without thinking. If you keep talking, you relieve the "pressure" and give them time to prepare a deceptive answer. An unprepared reaction is probably more honest.



Once they start talking, silence can encourage them to expand their remarks. In fact, the important information often comes last. Many people start by answering evasively, then say what really counts.



Don't change the subject or ask additional questions. They may feel cross-examined and become stubborn or evasive.



Follow Up Your Probes



After getting some information, follow up by asking another gentle question. Or, if you're still playing the hand, use that information to adjust your strategy. Information is worthless unless it is used.



Hesitate and Look Left



Many people, especially in smaller games, obviously telegraph their intentions. They may reach for or even pick up chips, or start to fold their cards. Better players provide less obvious, but still informative, signals, such as ignoring the action or focusing intently on it. If someone has looked at his hand but is ignoring the action, he probably will fold. If he is intently studying the action, he probably will play and may even raise.



Time Your Probes



When you probe can be as important as how you probe. Of course, a combination of good techniques and good timing is best.



Pay particular attention to signals that an opponent is emotional. Let's say that someone made a mistake, caught a miracle card, and is delighted about winning a huge pot. If you ask respectfully why he made the apparent mistake, he may tell you his reasons, which help you to understand how he thinks.



Angry people are an especially good source of information. For example, if someone just lost a big pot on the river, show sympathy by saying, "You sure have been unlucky tonight." He may tell you exactly how he played the hand, how he feels about weak players, or even how he plays various kinds of hands.



The Downsides of Probing



Many probes can give away information, and you may give away even more than you get. For example, if you raise "to see where you are," you tell opponents something about your hand. Asking, "Did you have an ace?" suggests that you didn't have one. Observant opponents may then read you more accurately.



Criticisms can help opponents to recognize their weaknesses. For example, asking, "Why didn't you check-raise?" can cause an opponent to check-raise more often, and he may then check-raise you.



Any kind of probing, particularly if it is done tactlessly, can harm the "let's have fun" atmosphere and make opponents play more seriously. Probing gently can reduce this problem, but it is part of the price of getting information. Remember, the battle for information never ends, and all battles have downsides.



However, if your opponents are really irritated, back off to preserve the atmosphere and avoid driving away the weak players.



In other words, probing is like everything else. The critical question is: Do the benefits exceed the costs? If your probing significantly damages the game, and the information you get isn't worth that price, back off. If the atmosphere is not seriously harmed, and you're getting valuable information, keep probing.



Winners Laws



Because most players don't probe enough, the central theme in these Winners Laws is extremely simple: Do it!



1. Probe Frequently: Because the information battle determines your results, you must overcome your inhibitions and probe whenever you can.



2. Use Many Probing Methods: If you dislike probing, you may use only the methods that feel comfortable to you. If so, you will get less information. Since each method works best at certain times and in certain situations, you should continuously experiment with new ways of probing, and see which ones work for you. Watch the good players, learn how they probe, and then copy them.



3. Learn Where and When to Use Various Probes: Try different ones in varied situations. Watch how good players vary their probes. See how different people react to diverse probes and try to understand why they reacted that way.



It may be difficult and even painful to develop probing skill, especially if you're not used to asking direct and indirect questions — but it's worth the effort.



Where Do You Stand?



Circle the number that best describes your agreement with this statement: I probe exceptionally well; I time probes well and use a wide variety of probing techniques. (7) Agree strongly, (6) Agree, (5) Agree somewhat, (4) Neutral, (3) Disagree somewhat, (2) Disagree, (1) Disagree strongly.



Then, answer two questions:

• What are the implications of my self-rating?
• What should I do differently? List the specific probing actions that you should take.

Discuss your answers with someone you trust, and take good notes.



To learn more about yourself and other players, you can buy Dr. Schoonmaker's books, Your Worst Poker Enemy and Your Best Poker Friend, at CardPlayer.com.