Getting the players to focus on your hand or on your answer rather than each other is probably the hardest skill in poker. Part of learning to play poker is learning to play your opponents. If your opponents could see your cards, they’d know exactly how much of an advantage you hold over them. But, that said, what are the other ways to influence them besides controlling the strength of your hand? Here are a few suggestions.

Bluffing

Anyone who’s played poker knows that the system of using bluffing to steal the pot is a staple of the game. For those just beginning, bluffing is basically fooling the other players into believing you have a stronger hand than you actually hold. While your position may be the same as your opponents, you are in a different position because you know the other players may have a limit on their hand. This may be true of many players, but one should also know when to bluff and when to fold.

Of course, the system of bluffing needs to be used wisely and with restraint, because bluffing is a tool that can be used poorly. There are no guarantees that a bluff will work every time, so use it sparingly. And if you’re caught bluffing, be sure to suffer the stigma of falling into the same traps as your opponents.

Use the Ages of Your Opponents

One of the most useful tools that would help you solidify your position in a Texas Hold ‘Em game is to count the number of hands older the individual players are. This is an excellent tool because it can help you size up the competition as to how strong their hand compared to yours. If you see a player continue to bet on a hand for an extended period, even if they have a poor hand, this is typically a sure sign they’re bluffing.

Marking Cards

The number of cards playedTexas Hold ‘EmCan be a barometer of a players’ hand as well. If, for example, you see an opponent has a lot of cards left in the flop, then you know they’re likely to be hesitant to part with them. Players with a lot of confidence in their hands or those that have folded recently are more likely to win the pot.

Using Your Position

While in many games such as Texas Hold ‘Em, it’s Generally a Good Idea to Bet Correctly

Texas Hold ‘Em is also a game of position. Good players surrounding you can provide you with information as to what you should do. Players sitting to your left are “kicker buddies” – they’ll help you establish a consistent betting pattern. When you’re trying to determine what your next move should be, consider whether there’s a “stronger” player nearby.

The likelihood a player to your left will bet consistently on the first round makes your decision easier later on. This is information you can use at a later stage.

These are all subtle levels of information that you can Tide up to affect your decisions sooner or later – it’s just a matter of finding the right time, and doing so.