How much should you reveal?

[ester11]

When gaming in a poker community, how much should you reveal about yourself? Are there ways to tell if somebody is a weak player on the internet. How stealth should you be?

[mollila]

Your actions will tell your opponents how you play, and there is not much you can do to hide your playing style except try to vary a bit how you play some key hands.

Weak players are as plain to spot in the internet as live.

[Full House]

One of the best bits of advice I was ever given was :-

"opt out of the first few hands of a new game"

That way you can study your opponents, and try to get an early feel for their strategies.

I have tried this a few times, and you always get a few players who will go in big on a regular basis, trying to bluff opponents. I dont mind taking this type of opponent on, if I have a decent hand - or my opponent thinks I have a good hand!!

Take your time, and it wont take long to spot the inexperienced players.

[winningedge]

I definitely agree with Full House on this one.. in fact, one of the things I hate the most is getting dealt a good hand very early on after sitting at a new table.. I tell myself you have to play it because its just the riht thing to do, but sometimes I just throw it out because I dont have enough info on the players yet..

Plus, somethig else to consider about playing hands early at a table is THEY dont have enough information about you either. And I have noticed that under those conditions, you are much more likely to get called down because of this..

[pinnie]

Originally Posted by winningedge I tell myself you have to play it because its just the riht thing to do, but sometimes I just throw it out because I dont have enough info on the players yet.. .

I think you should always play good hands regardless if you know the other players or not

[kelkat]

I'm with you Pinnie, a good hand is a good hand. I might play it slow, but I think I'd have to play it.

Are we talking aces? Suited runners? Just some paint? What exactly is good here?

[Dean]

I usually don't talk at all when I am playing online. I am afraid that I might give something away. I also do try to vary my play style a little as playing face to face and playing online are two totally different things. I do like playing face to face much better since it is easier to get a read on your opponents.

[Avian]

I generally like to talk as much as possible. It is disarming and might trick the other inexperienced players into underestimating you. I agree that you should play slow in the beginning, but you should also try to get in soon enough to nail a few of the new players who try to bet big in the first rounds.

[ladygirl99]

When I played online I usually focus on playing, and I don't do a lot of chatting. That would affect my way of focusing.

[Pimpin]

I totally agree about getting your chips in with a big hand early on. Often on the internet, especially in tournaments, i find that players will go all in with any two cards hoping to double up. Sure, you may get unlucky sometimes but isn't that what poker is all about? Trying to get your chips in with the best hand? A-K, A-Q suited, and any pair jacks are higher are definately worth putting your chips in unless you have other callers, which could signal that somebody has a monster hand, then i may be more hesitant to call.......but probably would anyways.

[heavery]

I believe that in playing poker, the only essential thing to consider is your faith in your own hand. Experienced players can always determine how good their hand is. A pair is always very common, But sometimes, even a small one is enough to win over everyone if you're good in bluffing. Talking might actually make others believe you're confident in your hand, unless proven otherwise.