Importance of Observation in Poker
Poker is one of those gambling games where both skill and chance are vital factors in determining the outcome of the game. One of the important skills poker players should have is the ability to observe keenly during the game.
Players should make sure that their senses are sharp while in the game. Gamblers are generally advised to quit playing when they feel fatigued, drunk or sleepy. Poker players are no exemption. Being in tiptop physical and mental condition, such as when one is well-rested or sober, ensures a player's heightened senses during the game.
Being highly observant gives a poker player a tremendous advantage. After several rounds of poker play, an observant gambler has become familiar with the personality, mannerisms and habits of the opponents.
From these, one can make conclusions on how opponents strategize when they have good hands. Are they aggressive players who tend to frequently bet big starting from the first round when they have a strong hand, or do they bet big only on the final round? Do they make opponents guess until the end the status of their cards? Are they brave enough to deceive the others into believing they have a strong hand in an attempt to make them drop out from betting? Or do they play it safe by immediately quitting from the first round of betting when they have a weak hand? By knowing the tendencies and personalities of the opponents at the poker table, one can adjust and strategize accordingly.
Clues can also be found in the body language and facial expressions of the players. This is why it is important to master how to pull off a "poker face" or an expression so blank the opponents cannot tell what a player's thoughts and emotions are. Less conscientious or inexperienced players tend to give themselves away through non-verbal language such as frowning or slouching when they receive weak cards.
There are times when even those who are careful of their actions while at play still provide hints of what cards they hold. Those with excellent eyesight or those seated in close proximity with the other players might want to look at their opponents' eyes. It has been proven scientifically that the pupils dilate when people see something they like, such as a person they are attracted to. In poker, pupil dilation can be a sign that a player has a good or strong hand.
Being a keen observer during a poker game also helps a player detect cheating. In the movie "Original Sin," Angelina Jolie's character was giving clues to her husband, Antonio Bandera's character, about the cards of the other players through subtle gestures during a game where he was a player. Gamblers should be observant of the behavior of the other people in the room, such as those watching the game that might be in connivance with the opponents. They should also take note if the cards used in the game where tampered, such as the presence of marked cards which is indicative of cheating.
Poker players should be well-aware of what they should look out for during games. The very clues that might be the key to their win could very well be right in front of them, so they should keep their eyes open and sharpen their observation skills.