February 4, 2004
Table Image
This is a subject we've touched on from time to time. It has alot to do with the psychology of poker, but in a more superficial way. One key to smart poker play is to manipulate the perception that other players have of your playing style in general. And, if that sounds too tough, then you want to at least be aware of how other players perceive you, and whether or not they're right.
At the home poker table, we have a benefit not shared with a lot of pro players. That benefit is that we see the same mugs at the table every week. While you may consider this a disadvantage, it can be utilized.
More specifically, some people are concerned that they can't pull the wool over their opponents' eyes because it's been the same opponents at the table for years now; they know most of your moves so well, that they'll even catch you when you try moves they've never seen. This is a misconception; I repeat: this is a misconception. You can always change your style of play, or better still, you can always convince your opponents that you've changed your style of play.
Enough intro, let's get into the subject matter with two player examples (bear in mind that no matter how generic and extreme they seem, these are players I know):
Player #1: This guy only knew how to play a tight game for years. He became very predictable, because he never bluffed and only called on monsters. When he raised, the table cleared. Folding bad hands is one thing, but he only played sure winners. After a few years however, it became obvious that he was playing a different game. All of a sudden, he's showing how he's taken the odd pot on a bluff, and is taking far more risks than before.
Player #2: You couldn't play a game too much looser than this guy, because he stays in on too much. He feels as though he is imposing some standards on himself, but even these standards are not enough. He plays far too many hands to cover his losses. The only advantage to his game is that when he stays in with a hand, he gets plenty of action from players who'll be more than happy to keep him and his mediocre hands honest. This is how he played years ago. This is how he plays today.
Years ago, both players played a bad game. The first played so tight that he won most pots he was in on, but this didn't cover the money bled from him through antes and opening early bets; if he did see a profit, it was meagre. The second played so loose that his money was bled in bet after call after raise, moreso than he could pay for in the pots that he won. Both players had been accurately labelled with a specific style of play. As time went on, Player #1 caught on. He took a step back from the table and figured out what was wrong. There's luck in any card or dice game, but to lose consistently while certain other players around you are winning consistently. He knew he needed a change. Player #2 still plays the same to this day, and continues to consistently lose money at poker.
Player #1 made a bold move thought impossible by some home poker players. It is a misconception that you are unable to change your table image against players that you've been playing against for so long. In fact, the more you've been pegged to a specific style of play, the more it works to your advantage. The table at large is not likely to catch on immediately. In fact, it may take some time before your opponents realize the change in your style. There is more than one way of going about this. If you suffer from a fixed table image, then I would suggest utilizing some of the suggestions below at your next game. It is never too late to start; in fact, the earlier you start, the better.
You make regular decisions at the table on the basis of the image of other players. Decisions to call, fold, or raise are never generic, and always apply to the specific players left in the pot against you. You make these decisions, especially the borderline ones, on the basis of the image of those opponents. Conversely, you are judged by players based on your image. If you can play in a manner different from your image, then your opponents will make the wrong decisions when you're left in the pot against them.
Either by moving towards the center of loose/tight play or by conforming to the type of table you're at, you are fully capable of modifying even the longest-term impressions of your image. Not enough time can pass for a specific image to be permanently embroidered on your playing style; and if it is, all the better to use to your advantage when you do modify your style of play.
Advertising is also extremely effective when opponents think they have you pegged. These variance plays, when performed correctly, are sufficient in modifying your table image away from your playing style. And to these specific card plays, you add the image of being opposite of how you truly play. This is not acting or being phony anymore than bluffing or slowplaying is. Bear in mind this important lesson: you stand a better chance to gain by conveying a table image different from your true playing style.
At the home poker table, we have a benefit not shared with a lot of pro players. That benefit is that we see the same mugs at the table every week. While you may consider this a disadvantage, it can be utilized.
More specifically, some people are concerned that they can't pull the wool over their opponents' eyes because it's been the same opponents at the table for years now; they know most of your moves so well, that they'll even catch you when you try moves they've never seen. This is a misconception; I repeat: this is a misconception. You can always change your style of play, or better still, you can always convince your opponents that you've changed your style of play.
Enough intro, let's get into the subject matter with two player examples (bear in mind that no matter how generic and extreme they seem, these are players I know):
Player #1: This guy only knew how to play a tight game for years. He became very predictable, because he never bluffed and only called on monsters. When he raised, the table cleared. Folding bad hands is one thing, but he only played sure winners. After a few years however, it became obvious that he was playing a different game. All of a sudden, he's showing how he's taken the odd pot on a bluff, and is taking far more risks than before.
Player #2: You couldn't play a game too much looser than this guy, because he stays in on too much. He feels as though he is imposing some standards on himself, but even these standards are not enough. He plays far too many hands to cover his losses. The only advantage to his game is that when he stays in with a hand, he gets plenty of action from players who'll be more than happy to keep him and his mediocre hands honest. This is how he played years ago. This is how he plays today.
Years ago, both players played a bad game. The first played so tight that he won most pots he was in on, but this didn't cover the money bled from him through antes and opening early bets; if he did see a profit, it was meagre. The second played so loose that his money was bled in bet after call after raise, moreso than he could pay for in the pots that he won. Both players had been accurately labelled with a specific style of play. As time went on, Player #1 caught on. He took a step back from the table and figured out what was wrong. There's luck in any card or dice game, but to lose consistently while certain other players around you are winning consistently. He knew he needed a change. Player #2 still plays the same to this day, and continues to consistently lose money at poker.
Player #1 made a bold move thought impossible by some home poker players. It is a misconception that you are unable to change your table image against players that you've been playing against for so long. In fact, the more you've been pegged to a specific style of play, the more it works to your advantage. The table at large is not likely to catch on immediately. In fact, it may take some time before your opponents realize the change in your style. There is more than one way of going about this. If you suffer from a fixed table image, then I would suggest utilizing some of the suggestions below at your next game. It is never too late to start; in fact, the earlier you start, the better.
- Moving towards center: By moving closer to the center, we are referring to loosening up a tight game or tightening up a loose game. Note that you are either tight or loose, and that there is nothing wrong with this until you move too far in a specific direction. Very generally speaking, to be too tight is to call with few hands, and to fold against most bluffs. To be too loose is to stay in the pot with too many hands. The examples above illustrate what can happen to you when you play too much one way.
If you play too tight, then try lowering your requirements a bit. Call with hands a touch weaker than what you're used to. Try a bluff-raise every now and again. You may not be used to this kind of play, but if you can pull it off, you'll succeed in folding better hands out of the pot (not typically the mark of a tight player). If you win a pot on a bluff, then nice work; there's nothing more satisfying than folding a better hand than your own.
If you play too loose, then try raising your requirements. Fold weaker hands. As it is now, you don't intimidate players when you stay in the pot because they know you could be holding anything. When they stay in against you after you tighten your requirements, they'll be in for a surprise at showdown. - Adapting to the table: If you've made the decision to change your style, there is one direction to go in that is 'right' more times than not: the direction of the table. When you 'follow suit' in poker, you adapt your style to the style of the other players. That way -if you're a tight player- you stay in on the same mediocre hands that they're staying in on. That way -if you're a loose player- you're folding the same hands that they're folding.
By adapting to the style of play popular at the table, you know you're not folding hands that are better than what your opponents are holding, and not staying in pots against hands that much better than yours. Observation of enough showdowns should make it clear what kind of table you're sitting at. Odds are you already know. Does the bulk of the table stay in on most hands? That's a loose table; loosen your tight style to accommodate. Does the second betting round typically come down to a couple players every time? That's a tight table; tighten your loose style to accommodate. - Advertising: If you think you're hearing this term a lot, then maybe you're starting to realize its untapped ability at the home poker table.
Advertising emphasizes the misconception that you can't pull one over the home game crowd. When you advertise, you purposely bring the table's attention to a play you've made which goes counter to the way that you normally play. You are throwing their scent off of any consistencies you may have. If you only call with a hand of certain strength, and then suddenly, go all the way to showdown on a bluff or mediocre hand, you modify other players' perception of your playing style. That's one way to do it.
If you're not known as a bluffer, but you give it a shot and manage to steal a pot, then you may consider showing the table your bluff as advertising. Sure, stealing the pot is one thing, but why not go for a little more by showing the table your move (some might argue against this, suggesting instead that you go for another bluff against these unsuspecting players).
When the pot's small, you may be lucky to see enough folds to make it worth your while to stay in cheaply on a mediocre hand. If you're known as a loose player, take a chance and go to showdown with nothing in your hand. When showdown comes, you put on a great song and dance about how you honestly thought you were going to take it (beware of overacting; you won't jostle anybody with one variance play, and you won't convince anybody who knows what you're up to). - Opposite image: Whatever you choose to do, there are 'rules' about how to compose yourself. Some people advise never to discuss poker strategy except with people against whom you DON'T play. Likewise, your table image shouldn't be too close a reflection of your true playing style.
If you make mathematical assessment and play a relatively tight game as a result, then the last thing you want to do is sit there and look overly pensive about each hand. This may convey the impression that you're tight and mathematical...because that's exactly what you are, don't project that with your image.
If you like to gamble and play loose as a result, then at the very least, pretend to be putting some serious thought into your action. Drop the devil-may-care image in place of a serious one. Opponents will mistakingly believe that you're playing a tight, thoughtful game when in fact you're playing a crapshoot each time.
You make regular decisions at the table on the basis of the image of other players. Decisions to call, fold, or raise are never generic, and always apply to the specific players left in the pot against you. You make these decisions, especially the borderline ones, on the basis of the image of those opponents. Conversely, you are judged by players based on your image. If you can play in a manner different from your image, then your opponents will make the wrong decisions when you're left in the pot against them.
Either by moving towards the center of loose/tight play or by conforming to the type of table you're at, you are fully capable of modifying even the longest-term impressions of your image. Not enough time can pass for a specific image to be permanently embroidered on your playing style; and if it is, all the better to use to your advantage when you do modify your style of play.
Advertising is also extremely effective when opponents think they have you pegged. These variance plays, when performed correctly, are sufficient in modifying your table image away from your playing style. And to these specific card plays, you add the image of being opposite of how you truly play. This is not acting or being phony anymore than bluffing or slowplaying is. Bear in mind this important lesson: you stand a better chance to gain by conveying a table image different from your true playing style.
