Information is everything when it comes to poker, and it is often stated that you play your opponent, not the cards. When it comes to live poker this means being observant and noticing players tells, patterns and habits.
I remember once playing in a tournament at a casino card room where the player to my left would always jiggle his leg when he was about to raise - great news for me as let me know whenever he had a good hand and that, as there was a raise coming, I should fold my hand rather than call. It also allowed me to check raise the table whenever I had the nuts and I knew he was going to raise.
When it comes to online poker, many people think that we have lost a large about of information compared to live poker. Whilst this is true for physical tells such as the player I have just described, it is not true overall. It is better to say that the information gathered is different - the sheer volume of information you are able to collect whilst playing online poker is insane, and it can be done automatically.
Poker tracking software can gather information on any player you sit at a table with. This data can be called upon at any time to help you make decisions about the hand. Some sites even offer software which watch poker tables remotely, gathering data when you're not even there. Whilst this amount of information may at first appear a good thing, think of this - you're not the only one using the software, and the same degree of information is held about YOU.
Recently there has been discussions of poker rooms starting to create anonymous poker tables - where the players sitting at the table are unidentifiable. This would solve the problem of other players holding information about you, but at the same time would mean that you no longer hold the information about them.
At the end of the day what it will come down to is who can do more with the information - you, or them.
I remember once playing in a tournament at a casino card room where the player to my left would always jiggle his leg when he was about to raise - great news for me as let me know whenever he had a good hand and that, as there was a raise coming, I should fold my hand rather than call. It also allowed me to check raise the table whenever I had the nuts and I knew he was going to raise.
When it comes to online poker, many people think that we have lost a large about of information compared to live poker. Whilst this is true for physical tells such as the player I have just described, it is not true overall. It is better to say that the information gathered is different - the sheer volume of information you are able to collect whilst playing online poker is insane, and it can be done automatically.
Poker tracking software can gather information on any player you sit at a table with. This data can be called upon at any time to help you make decisions about the hand. Some sites even offer software which watch poker tables remotely, gathering data when you're not even there. Whilst this amount of information may at first appear a good thing, think of this - you're not the only one using the software, and the same degree of information is held about YOU.
Recently there has been discussions of poker rooms starting to create anonymous poker tables - where the players sitting at the table are unidentifiable. This would solve the problem of other players holding information about you, but at the same time would mean that you no longer hold the information about them.
At the end of the day what it will come down to is who can do more with the information - you, or them.
