Reading Opponents And Their Hands Flashcards
If a tight/passive player raises preflop, what types of hands will he usually have?
QQ+ or AKs
What does it typically mean if an inexperienced player asks how much he can bet?
He has a big hand
If a tight/passive player limps into a pot, what types of hands will he usually have?
Two face cards, a pair, AT+, or suited connectors 87 or higher.
If a tight/passive player reraises preflop, what types of hands will he usually have?
AA and AA only.
If a tight/passive player raises from the blinds, what types of hands will he usually have?
AA
If a tight/passive player checks on the flop, what does it typically mean?
There is a high card or draw that can beat him
If a tight/passive player calls on the flop, what does it typically mean?
He has a four flush or open ended straight draw.
If a tight/passive player bets on the flop, what does it typically mean?
A high card on the board helps him or he has a made straight/flush.
If a tight/passive player raises on the flop, what does it typically mean?
He has a monster.
What are the characteristics of a Tight/Aggressive player?
He usually on plays good to premium hands and the key between him and a loose/aggressive is, when he shows his cards he’ll be playing only top cards or strong draws.
If a tight/aggressive player raises preflop, what types of hands will he usually have?
QQ+, AJ+, two face cards.
If a tight/aggressive player limps preflop, what types of hands will he usually have?
Suited connectors and pairs JJ-22
If a tight/aggressive player checks on the flop, what does it typically mean?
There is a high card or draw that can beat him.
If a tight/aggressive player reraises preflop, what types of hands will he usually have?
AA
If a tight/aggressive player calls on the flop, what does it typically mean?
He has a four flush or open-ended straight draw.
If a tight/aggressive player bets on the flop, what does it typically mean?
He has a four flush or open-ended straight draw.
If a tight/aggressive player raises on the flop, what does it typically mean?
A high card on the board helps him, he has a good draw or a made hand.
What are the characteristics of a loose/passive player?
He plays almost any two cards, sees at least the flop, but folds quickly when he misses. When faced with a raise, he will fold unless he has a made hand, an open-ended straight draw, or a four flush.
*Remember, this is where you will find most inexperienced players.
If a loose/passive player raises preflop, what types of hands will he usually have?
A big pair.
If a loose/passive player checks on the flop, what does it typically mean?
He could have anything.
If a loose/passive player limps preflop, what types of hands will he usually have?
Will play almost anything.
If a loose/passive player bets on the flop, what does it typically mean?
Has a pair, any pair or a made hand.
If a loose/passive player raises on the flop, what does it typically mean?
Has a good to great hand.
If a loose/aggressive player checks on the flop, what does it typically mean?
On a draw or slowplaying.
What are the characteristics of a loose/aggressive player?
They are almost impossible to put on a specific hand and are always raising, re-raising, and capping.
If a loose/passive player calls on the flop, what does it typically mean?
Has a pair, any pair or a made hand.
What types of hands will a loose/aggressive player play preflop?
Any A, any face card, any two suited cards, any two connected or one gap connected cards. Can’t read them preflop.
If a loose/aggressive player bets on the flop, what does it typically mean?
Made a pair, any pair or bluffing.
How do tight/passive players usually dress?
Conservatively.
How easy is it to read each player type in the PATL matrix?
Tight/aggressive - relatively easy to read preflop and postflop.
Tight/passive - easier to read preflop and postflop.
Loose/aggressive - can’t read; could have anything.
Loose/passive - can’t read preflop; easier to read postflop.
When starting cards are dealt, along with subsequent board cards, what should you be doing.
Watching your opponents’ reactions.
If a loose/aggressive player raises on the flop, what does it typically mean?
Made top pair with A/K kicker, made two pair or better, or bluffing.
If a loose/aggressive player calls on the flop, what does it typically mean?
On a draw or slowplaying.
How do loose/passive players usually dress?
Casually.
How do loose/aggressive players usually dress?
Flamboyantly.
How do tight/aggressive players usually dress?
Casually.
A neat appearance usually leans towards what type of player?
A tight player.
Occupations such as executives and attorneys lean towards what type of player?
Tight/aggressive.
Occupations such as doctors, teachers, and accountants lean towards what type of player?
Tight/passive.
Occupations such as middle manager lean towards what type of player?
Loose/passive
Occupations such as attorney, lower level worker, and student lean towards what type of player?
Loose/aggressive
What is the difference between tight and loose players in regards to when they are beat in a hand?
Tight players know when they are beat and fold, loose players don’t know when they are beat and stay in the hand too long.
What are some tells in regards to how players protect their cards?
- Better players tend to put a chip on their card when they are going to play them but not when they are going to fold.
- Many will put more chips on their cards than usual if they have a very good hand or are going to bluff.
- With a good hand, some move their cards closer to them or keep their hands over their cards.
Preflop, when a player holds his cards an inch or two off of the table, what does it typically indicate?
A player about to fold.
*Knowing this, if you are in early position, you should be able to predict the size of the preflop pot.
What are some vocal/body language changes a loose/aggressive player will exhibit with a good hand?
He will become more vocally aggressive and his body posture will represent confidence.
If a player shows only one card to others preflop, what does he usually have?
A small pocket pair.
If a player shows his cards to others on the flop before he bets, what does he usually have?
Top pair/good kicker
If a player shows his cards to others on the turn or river before he checks, what does he usually have?
He missed.
What does a fast call usually indicate with each player type?
Tight/aggressive - on a draw but usually too disciplined to fast call.
Tight/passive - usually won’t call quickly.
Loose/aggressive - on a draw.
Loose/passive - on a draw.
*An aggressive/loose may be letting you know he is going to stay in the hand until there is a showdown. Good, but not excellent players, with a marginal catch on the flop or a medium pocket pair, may use the fast call on the flop as a false show of strength. Their objective is to get to the river with at least one free card.
What is the difference between each player type within the PATL matrix, in regards to their mood change with a good hand?
Tight/aggressive - No change in expression or mood with a good hand.
Tight/passive - no change in expression or mood with a good hand.
Loose/aggressive - noticeable change in expression or mood with a good hand.
Loose/passive - big change in expression or mood with a good hand.
If a player looks at his cards when a possible flush is on board, and then bets, what does it usually mean?
He has a flush or a high flush draw.
What does a fast check usually indicate with each player type?
Tight/aggressive - usually no read but may be ready to check raise.
Tight/passive - missed.
Loose/aggressive - completely missed or preparing to check raise.
Loose/passive - missed or on a draw.
What are some unusual tells from loose players?
- The loose player acts strong when he is weak and weak when he is strong. Poker master Mike Caro is right.
- He goes out of his way to show disappointment. Good hand.
- He looks at his hole cards once or twice during the hand. This indicates he does not have a pocket pair. The tight player seldom checks his cards at any time throughout the hand as he has memorized his cards.
- Conversely, the player who usually looks at his cards at least twice during a hand and now does not look at all has a pocket pair.
- He blinks faster than usual. He is bluffing.
- He normally sits erect, but curls up when he bets. A bluff.
- Any unusual sign of being nervous, such as a garbled sentence, usually signals a bluff.
- He calls immediately on the flop with a two flush on the board. He has a four flush.
- He flicks the corners of his cards. He is unhappy with the hand.
- His lips are different when he has a good versus a poor hand, perhaps they press together with a poor hand and are not touching each other with a good hand. The key to this tell is a change. Watch for a change in pattern. Also applies to some tights.
- His posture becomes more straight or he moves towards the table. Good hand.
- When he has a bad hand he folds his arms.
- Preflop he looks at his cards and quickly grabs his chips. Good hand.
- Calls a bet fast. Weak hand or still on a draw.
- Checks fast. Weak hand, still on a draw, or if an aggressive player, may be waiting to check-raise.
- The hand, the one connected to the arm, not his cards, of a passive/loose does not normally shake but it shakes now or he fumbles putting his chips in the pot. He has a good hand.
- He looks at his cards and looks at his chips. He is going to bet.
- The aggressive/loose player gets his cards and puts something on top of his cards, such as a chip. He is going to bet.
- Caro says, and I can confirm, if a player — my experience indicates a loose player — looks away he has a better hand than if he looks at you.
- The player whose first card is an Ace rubs it on the table until he receives his second card.
- The loose player will often change his expression or smile when you ask him if he got the card he wanted, especially on a showdown.
- Whenever you see a no limit player look at each card as they come instead of waiting and watching opponents, you can assume this player is loose.
On a monster flop, what does a check usually represent from each player on the PATL matrix?
Tight/passive and loose/passive will check if they missed on a monster flop. Tight/aggressive a will check if they missed or if they’re slowplaying. A loose/aggressive usually on checks when he hits something big.
What does a bet on the turn & river represent with each player type?
Tight/passive - has the best hand
Tight/aggressive - has a good/best hand
Loose/passive - has any high pair, any kicker
Loose/aggressive - could have anything
What does a raise on the turn & river represent with each player type?
Tight/passive - has the best hand
Tight/aggressive - has a good hand or the best hand
Loose/passive - has a good to great hand
Loose/aggressive - could have anything
What does a late position, preflop check represent?
Nothing or a poor draw.
What are some tells players exhibit when looking at their cards with a possible straight on board?
- If they look for more than an instant, they have cards that are close.
- If the straight draw on board is not sequenced and they took an extra long look, they definitely have cards that are close.
- if they then bet, they either have an open ended straight draw, a made straight, or at least a pair.
- Tight players will not look at their cards.
What does a late position, preflop call represent?
Poor draw
What does a late position, preflop bet represent?
Any type of draw
May be looking for information
Could be a position bet
If a player shows both cards to others preflop, what does he usually have?
A big pocket pair.
What does a preflop call of a raise usually represent?
Believes he has a hand or potential hand not just equal to the raiser, but better than the raiser.
What does a preflop cold-call of two bets usually represent?
Believes he has a hand or monster draw (A-high face suited) much better than the raiser.
What does a middle position, preflop check represent?
Nothing or a weak draw
What does a middle position, preflop call represent?
An acceptable draw
What does a middle position, preflop bet represent?
Medium pair or a good draw
What does a late position, preflop raise represent?
A pair or a good draw
Possibly trying to buy the button
Possible free card llay
What does a call on the turn & river represent with each player type?
Tight/passive - has a good/very good hand
Tight/aggressive - has a good hand
Loose/passive - has any pair
Loose/aggressive - missed; not much of a hand
What does an early position, preflop call represent?
Good draw
What does an early position, preflop bet represent?
High pair or a good draw
What does an early position, preflop raise represent?
High pair or A-face suited
On the flop, what does a late position check represent?
Nothing
On the flop, what does a late position call represent?
With several callers, a weak draw
What does a middle position, preflop raise represent?
Medium pair or a strong draw
What does a preflop reraise usually represent?
Believes he has a hand or extremely strong draw much better than the raiser, or may be trying to isolate.
On the flop, what does a late position re-raise represent?
Top or 2nd high pair
Strong or nut draw
May be trying to isolate
May be a continuation bet
On the flop and turn, what does a call of a raise represent?
Believes he has a hand or potential hand not just equal to the raiser but better than the raiser
On the flop and turn, what does a cold call of two bets usually represent?
Believes he has a hand better than the raiser or an extremely strong draw.
On the flop, what does a middle position check represent?
Nothing or a medium draw
On the flop, what does a middle position call represent?
Medium draw
On the flop, what does a late position bet represent?
At least a pair
Probably looking for info
Maybe a continuation bet
What does an early position, preflop check represent?
Nothing or a medium draw
On the flop, what does a middle position reraise represent?
Top pair or better
Nut draw
On the flop, what does an early position check represent?
Nothing, low pair or weak draw
