Starting Slow, Laying Low
December 3rd, 2009When sitting down at a fresh table for a game of poker, you are the new guy on the street. Unless you happen to be playing with a group of those you are familiar with via past play, you are entering a situation where you have less information than those around you. The poker online players already seated know who is wild, who is tight, who is on tilt, and so on. They are therefore at an early advantage against you in those pots until you catch up.
Taking your time, then, and playing perhaps tighter than usual as you begin to acclimate to your surroundings, is wise. Of course, yes, you are going to play big hands when you are dealt them, but being selective about those hands and not testing the strange too much, while taking in information on your opponents, is vital to a well balanced and smart sensed game.
As you begin to notice patterns about the other players you can then begin to open up against them accordingly. Taking that extra early time to study motions, tendencies, and so on will pay off for the brief time you are settling in and getting a full rein on your game. Remember this when you play poker online.
