Reading people online...

[liladypokerpro]

Okay.....some guy and I got into a discussion about whether or not it is possible to make solid reads online. He swore it was impossible, yet I beg to differ. I've found it completely possible to make reads on players online, and have found it to be just as profitable as any other situation. His argument was, you can't physically SEE online players --- but I have found there are many variables which can help determine a player's patterns. What's your opinion? Possible or impossible?

[iceveins0901]

Physically it is much more easy to read people that missed the flop live, but you can get a decent read on people online by figuring out their general range, and what happens when they vary their bet sizes and such. There would not be as many online sucessfull pros without the ability to read people.

[st_ever]

A good way to read ppl online is by the speed they react. This isn't always true and some ppl including myself have adopted the strategy of always taking the same time to react as often as possible. A general rule i use is if he thinks then he should have hit something on the flop and has to think about what to do. If he misses then it is a lot quicker. Of course this is not often the case.

[Latrocinium]

I think it's possible. When you look at timing, bet/call patterns, opening range patterns, general aggressivness or weakness of the player. Loose/tight, etc, etc, etc.

I also think it helps you read players better live. The suttle differences become more live.

I amazed a friend one night by calling a guys hand on the flop, and then calling with AQo. I had him beat, and I called his hand, but the hero with A high was slain in the end by KTo, caught a T. lol. Hero calls/plays can hurt.

So yes, I think it's completly possible. Now whether you know how to apply it correctly or not would be a different story.