Playing Strangers

Most the time when you’re playing you wont be playing regulars that you know but strangers.  The shear size of the internet takes care of this. So how do play against strangers that you haven’t had a chance to build a book up on.

Well first chat to them. Us e the chat box to your benefit and see if you can find out if they are new to poker or new to the site. Bear in mind they might not tell you the truth but most will be honest. Most players (the weaker ones) want there online session to be partly a social sessions as well.

Watch them closely. By about a lap or two of the table you might be able gain some valuable information about how they play. At this point don’t worry too much about consistency and don’t put too much stock into your conclusions. Just because JoeBloggs raise one time on the button doesn’t necessarily mean they are a fan of the real estate raise; they might actually have a hand. Also one blind being thrown away already tells you they don’t camp out in the camp of always defending their blinds.

Feel them out. Make some raises early on to see how an opponent reacts. You are trying to find out if these new opponents will they play back at you. You wont know unless you try so push them a bit to see.

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Remember just as you don’t know how they play, they too don’t know how you play so let them learn to fear you. If a new opponent is crafty and tricky it won’t take long to find out. Then you adjust and simply avoid direct confrontations with them till their true colours are shown. Did they make that move on you because their cards commanded it or are they testing you out to see how you play?

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