In order to determine the thought processes of your opponent, it would help to read their minds. But not being a mind reader, are there any seminars or classes offered on the subject? Not really and even if there were you are not going to learn the psychology of your opponents neurosis from a class. If you were able to, this is still no guarantee of winning.
While strategy is a real and important element of poker, and is certainly more basic than psychoanalysis, it is still only one important tactic. Mindreading would certainly be an asset to wise play, but is this possible? It is in a way.
The best of players, as the best of artists, never required a manual on the subject of their professions. They proceed intuitively, by means of naturally sharp observation which they practiced and developed individually in the course of the years.
Good technical manuals on poker psychology are rare. This is at the very crux of the matter. Whatever tips and advice you may find off the net or in the bookstore, you can not practically or successfully put them into real play. You must have that inexplicable talent of intuition that puts your own creative mind processes over the limit of your opponents.
Most players will lose more than they win because they depend on strict models of play, much like computer programs, or simulations that present themselves as predictions to be used robotically by the savvy player. This could be quite simple depending on the number of variables involved in the prediction.
Such schematics are disdained by the professional player, who makes their own observations regarding others methods of play as well as their own. Using their well-developed intuition, they take those observations and mix them into principles according to their own thought processes. This results in a strategy known only to themselves. The most talented players use these complex (or deceptively simple) secret strategies to make them less vulnerable than their opponents.
You will never find a great artist or a great player divulging his secrets. They may write books, give lectures, advice and tips, but not on the really good stuff. It seems like a great service they perform by letting us mere mortals in on such tidbits. But don’t be fooled. They did not rise to the top of their professions by reading and heeding someone else’s great tips.
It would seem that the most vital element in becoming a master artist in any genre is commitment to study and practice to develop one’s own observational skills and imagination by engaging in the activity in which you want to become great. In this way you will be independent in your thoughts and actions and master the ability to do your thing in a way that is uniquely your own. Only you are privy to the minute details of your “thing.”
By far the best bluffers of the game are those who do it with regularity in a manner that prohibits anyone at the table from deciphering the bluff. This requires a strong intuition developed by lots of practice and known only to them.
It takes not only hard work, persistence, and erudition, but also the courage and independence to use your imagination in ways which might seem ridiculous but may prove innovative, individual curiosity and a spirit of discovery which keeps you ahead of the rest.
All of us have intuition. Few of us have the persistence and wherewithal to aggressively fine tune it and use it, and use it often. This is something everyone has to work on by himself. While everyone has intuition, that intuition is unique to the individual.
Be prepared for a lifetime commitment: nobody who was ever great at anything, was somehow mysteriously and effortlessly great – they worked hard; and they worked independently.
The author is a successful limit cash game player. He plays poker online and receives Rakeback at Interpoker and Rakeback at Absolute Poker.
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