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Poker Article - “It All Adds Up To A Story”

Discussion in 'Poker Forum' started by TEACH (AlSpath), Feb 4, 2015.

  1. TEACH (AlSpath)

    TEACH (AlSpath) Active Member Founding Member

    Joined:
    Dec 29, 2014
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    205
    Occupation:
    Poker Instructor
    Location:
    Maryland USA
    “It All Adds Up To A Story” - by Al Spath (from years back I wrote this ditty)

    When Phil Hellmuth Jr. uttered those words during ESPN’s 2003 World Series of Poker coverage, millions of new poker players watching cable TV’s version of “How To Become a Millionaire Overnight,” were sucked right into the newest phenomenon that literally is sweeping the nation. Although the entire venue is flat-out intriguing, viewers are now seeing that each hand contains its very own storyline. Yes, No-Limit Holdem’ Poker has captivated the hearts and minds of a new audience and the results are staggering. Casino play has doubled if not tripled, superstars of the entertainment world and financial moguls are found sitting at high stakes live tables, internet play has exploded, TV ratings for WPT events are so good sponsors are paying top dollar to advertise, multiple cruise ships are being booked exclusively for poker events, poker books are flying off the shelves, home games are spreading from neighborhood to neighborhood, and POKER has frankly become the trendiest thing to do other than being seen with Paris Hilton.

    Having said all that, let’s revisit Phil’s comment about a “Story.” You see, when you watch the WSOP on television you have an opportunity to hear from the legends of the game and examine what they mean about “gathering information;” “tells,” as they say in the industry. Players try to hide (some do it better than others), their emotions, nervous tics, movements, excitement, disappointment, anxiety, heart rate, perspiration, and their genuine interest or non-interest in the hand. Mike Caro, one of the most respected writers on “Tells,” repeatedly implies in his articles and video’s, that if you are watching the cards on the flop, you have severely hampered your chances to scoop the pot! By not watching the opponents you will miss vital information at your table, sometimes broadcasted with what seems like a flashing neon sign. Remember, the cards flopped on the board aren’t going to change when you focus on your competitors as they cleverly peek and examine their cards. Watch to see their facial expressions and demeanor change, notice how they reach for chips, or start shaking their legs, even look away disinterested, better yet, let out a sigh, or even fold their arms and lean back in their chairs. All pieces of the story Phil and Mike remind us to watch for as we decide whether to play a hand and what to bet.

    We also heard on that same broadcast from other respected professional players, one comment mentioned: “I will look into their souls,” as they prepare to stare them down, make them squirm, hoping they say anything, seeing if their breathing rate is increased, or even if they try pathetically to intimidate by staring right back and intimating they want a call, raise (if you don’t like money), or fold. Recently, some phenomenal talents were unveiled and displayed by the likes of Harold Lederer, John Young and Phil Ivey during some of these made for TV events. As if they can “sense” weakness and strength from each and every bet in the hand they enter, they recoil like a cobra and strike with surgical accuracy and take down pot after pot. Tells, like covering your mouth can be a sure fire indicator of a bluff taking place, when breathing slows to a silence you can normally rest assured you are in no danger, and if they bet, it’s usually a flat-out bluff. But it’s quite the opposite if the breathing becomes heightened, save your chips, they are all over you!

    The art of manipulation by these pro’s if uncanny. You will see the real skillful professional disguise their own actions, seemly giving their opponent a direct read on them, when in fact it’s a misdirection ploy. Normally acting disgusted and miserable when firing chips at the pot means might indicate you have a monster hand, so the savvy player sometimes will act this way (with less than a powerful hand), getting you, or his target, to “buy” into the act as them being strong. Normally looking away while others are betting is an indicator that the player seems disinterested but is actually holding a very strong hand. Again, the seasoned pro might mix in a pose like this to lead you on and prevent you from taking down a significant pot. Don’t be fooled when up against the best, play your hand and try to determine if you are being played yourself.

    Not everything is learned from watching, the table sounds heard, or not heard, should be like music to your ears. Listen for the tapping of fingers and legs bouncing off the underside of the table rail and what happens when it’s that players’ time to act. If the finger tapping continues, you better expect they are not worried about your next action to call or raise. However, when everything comes to a screeching halt, you have found the mother lode and your opponent’s bluff is plain to detect. Another easy one is to listen to those who hum or sing, and they also fall into this category of continuing to be happy if they have a hand, and suddenly quiet when their cards are rather gloomy.

    The last information revealed at the table comes from “chip chatter” or the lack thereof. You see, without your opponents even opening their mouth, a myriad of information about them can be obtained by just observing the chips stacked in front of each person seated. You can spot the conservative players who stack their chips so neatly and even arrange the colors to match on all sides as they build their columns of chips. Don’t expect them to bluff you very often, or to play many hands, their job is mainly to watch you play and when they get interested in a hand, you had better have the goods or they will have you chasing the best hand all the way to the river. Then there are those who scoop poker chips like Doritos, they make a mess of their area, are in no hurry to stack chips and in fact if they use their new winnings to fire back at the very next pot, you better give warranted consideration they have picked up a decent to better than average hand and want some action. Another ploy used by the seasoned pro is reaching for chips while the player in front of them is also about to enter a pot for a call or a raise. If they can elicit a reaction, a stumble, a delay, a mishandling of the chips by the bettor (who will glance at the possible action following their bet), valuable information (weakness), is gained by the professional. One of the most obvious tells is when a player emphatically makes a bet on the table with their chips, or when they are so bold to place their chips more in front of their opponent than themselves. Here again, look for the bluff, look for the veteran player to wait and figure out what their chances are in taking down this pot with a call or a reraise (even while holding nothing themselves). It’s the quiet bet, the silence of a smooth raise, the unassuming posture of a confident player that will signal strength and fire a warning signal.

    Our final tell happens to take the longest to occur. You see, when a player takes forever to act (barring no time clock), and then raises the caller or raiser, they have in fact got what is advertised. It is very seldom someone will take full advantage of the time, watching their opponent for any tells, without knowing right away that they intend to call or raise, but only after they set the hook themselves. It’s like watching paint dry for ten minutes, staring at each other, then the chips, then the pot, then their cards, all the while knowing they are just trying to induce the original bettor to play back at them. Some would liken it to a dance, a dual, or even foreplay if your minds want to run amuck here. But in the end, the fat lady will sing and our professional, filled with tricks, savvy and guile, will ultimately take down the pot and advance into the money, while most of the amateurs are left on the rail, watching and hoping they too can unwrap “the story,” and soon become a World Class Poker Player.

    Post Script (1/4/15):


    When a player heads-up is thinking about calling, raising, re-raising, or folding and starts to mention what he or she thinks the opponent is holding - for example:


    "Did you make a flush, a straight, you have trips?"

    "Then" after saying these hands they raise, they most assuredly can BEAT all the hands they names out loud. Listen next time and watch and see if this tip holds up.

    Please add more tips below, comments always welcomed.

    Phil Hellmuth.jpg
     
    Leon Macfayden likes this.
  2. letsdothis68

    letsdothis68 New Member Lineage to Founders

    Joined:
    Feb 3, 2015
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    Occupation:
    Certified Nurse Aide
    Location:
    Beckley WV
    i remember reading this i think at the PSO site YEARS ago, the chip straightening i use that tactic if at a tight table and loosen up a tad LOL
     

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