Mastering the art of poker involves not only understanding the cards but also reading your opponents’ betting patterns. In this article, we’ll delve into five advanced techniques for exploiting betting patterns, giving you a strategic edge at the table. By learning to interpret and counteract your opponents’ moves, you’ll be able to maximize your profits and outmaneuver even the most experienced players.
Small Note Before We Get Started
Most of these reads are especially deadly when you get to know opponents you play versus constantly.
If you are playing cash or tournaments with the same people frequently, make sure you pay special attention to them. Write down notes in your phone. Pay attention to the action and their showdowns. If you see the same behavior again and again, then you’ll know you have a dynamite read you can take advantage of. And exploiting betting patterns in players you encounter regularly is like printing money.
Do They Always Semi-Bluff With A Flush Draw?
Some players constantly fire whenever they have a flush draw.
Pay attention to the pots they’re in. If you see them constantly firing with their flush draws and then value betting when they hit, then you know that’s how they like to play the hand.
Some people have a default aggressive game. They feel they have to fire with any kind of drawing hand or they’re not aggressive enough.
If that same player checks back when there is a flush draw on the board, you know they don’t have the draw. They likely have some kind of mediocre made hand that they’re trying to get to showdown.
They just told you what they don’t have. If the flush draw comes in and that’s a plausible hand in your range, then bluff at the pot. This is a perfect example of exploiting betting patterns. You’ll like the results.
Do They Always Bet Larger With Their Best Hands?
There are many poker players who tip off the strength of their hands through their bet sizes.
Let’s say they’re on the turn in position. There’s flush draws and straight draws on the board.
There are many players there who will bet large with their best top pairs, sets, and two pairs to protect their hand and simultaneously get value from their hand. If they bet small, it’s because they have a mediocre pair, and they’re trying to buy a showdown.
If they tip off their hand strength like this, look down at your hand. Are you blocking some larger hand that he or she just told you they don’t have? Are you confident they can bet/fold a mediocre pair?
Go for a larger bluff.
Do They Never Raise Pairs Or Draws?
This is a tell you can exploit versus a large percentage of the population.
Many players never raise top pair or a draw. They don’t want to get blown off their hand. If they have a draw or a pair, they don’t want to raise and reopen the action. They would rather see another card. They would rather get closer to a showdown. They don’t want to raise and then face a re-raise they don’t know how to deal with. That would make them feel stupid.
If your opponent never raises a top pair for value or a draw as a bluff, then you know when they call on a board with flush draws and straight draws that they likely have one pair or a draw. These players are straightforward. They raise two pair or better on coordinated boards. They call with draws and pairs. They likely fold at some point if they missed.
If the turn card is bad for the mediocre pairs that called on the flop, then bet large and put pressure on them. They won’t be able to take the heat. You will find it is very profitable to exploit this betting pattern.
Do They Always Check Back Pairs On The Turn?
There are many players who never value bet thinly on the turn. They’re afraid of being checkraised. If they have to bet and fold with a top pair, that will make them feel stupid.
What they do instead is check back the turn in the hopes that you’ll fire the river. They then can call. They kept the pot small and they’re proud of it.
There’s a couple of ways you can take advantage of this. For one, if you river something larger, bet larger versus them because they’re already planning to call. Most will not fold if you bet 80% of the pot. They still want to call. They want to see if their hand wins at showdown. They’ll just complain about how lucky you are and how they “had you until the river,” and then they’ll feel somehow like they’re in the right.
If they do double barrel against you, you can fold more often. You know that’s unlikely to be a weak hand. They’re used to checking back mediocre pairs, so they likely have their better hands here.
Unless they’re tilted. If they’re pissed about something, then you know this turn bet is likely to be a bluff. They’re not the type of player to go for thin value, but they’ll have no problem bet/folding nothing. They want to win a pot to feel better about themselves. Deny them this opportunity.
Do They Never Raise Multiway?
Have you ever seen your opponent raise in a multiway pot with anything less than two pair or better?
If you’ve never seen your opponent raise in a multiway pot with a draw or something similar, it’s likely they only raise when they have two pair or better.
If you bet a top pair for value in a multiway pot and they raise, and you literally can’t remember the last time they raised in a multiway pot, then you can make a thin exploitative fold. You’ve likely run into a set or two pair. You don’t need to give them another cent.
Exploiting Betting Patterns – Conclusion:
By incorporating these advanced techniques for exploiting betting patterns into your poker strategy, you’ll enhance your ability to make informed decisions and gain an upper hand. Remember, the key to success lies in observation and adaptation. As you refine these skills, you’ll find yourself outsmarting opponents and consistently improving your game.
Want to read more from APT Head Pro Alex Fitzgerald? Try his article about the 11 Tips for Handling Bad Beats and Variance
