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Observing people, not just their plays

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  1. DP388 DP388 is offline

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    Dec 16th, 2006 (12/16/2006 7:43am)

    I starting picking up new things about people in live play and wanted to see if we could get a thread going about different observations you guys have seen that might indicate how they play.

    Here's my example (a little long, but explains my thought process):

    I played in a live tournament last night and when everyone took their seats last night, I noticed that the gentleman to my right was wearing a visor. Underneath the visor it was apparent that he had went through some sort of hair plug or hair growth treatment. He was probably in his early-to-mid 40s. I started thinking about what that might say about him as a person and how it could affect his play.

    Loosing hair at a relatively early age is probably hard for most men to deal with. But the fact that he has done something about it means that he is concerned with his image and how others see him. He probably wears the visor because the treatment isn't finished yet and doesn't want to look awkward.

    What could this mean about the way he plays?
    Since he is concerned with his image, he will likely not want to get into situations where the table sees him make a bad play. He'd be embarrassed. So in the back of my mind, I felt if a situation arose, I could put him to the test and make him laydown. At the same time, I knew this would only work a few times because he would not want to look like he was getting pushed around. Obviously I was going to pay attention to his play and table talk to see if my observation was valid. It was.

    This worked out beautifully for me. Right after the first break it folded to him in the small blind. He raised 2.5x and I re-raised with a marginal hand, putting him in a push or fold situation. He mucked (again, not wanting to look bad). I took down a few more pots he was involved with and I could tell he was starting to play with ego and felt like I was getting out of line. After a few rotations, an early player limped and he raised 3x. I picked up AA. I thought about shoving, but instead put in a raise which would cause him to push over the top of me. As planned, he pushed with AJ. GG sir.

    ---Has anyone else used observations like this?
  2. Jennifear Jennifear is offline

    Niagara Falls, NY
    United States

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    Dec 16th, 2006 (12/16/2006 10:22am) in reply to DP388

    Very valid observation. I would say as long as you don't rely on this type to tell 100% and only use it to break a tie on a decision or bias a decision, you will have great success using this method.

    On pokerstars I do the same with Avatars and Names... Here are just some of my observations:

    NAMEINALLCAPS: Very Aggressive

    Jeff1987, jeff87: Probably born in 1987. Generally, younger players are easier to trap, and overvalue hands. Older players often play a tighter, more traditional tight/tag style.

    Photo of p5s, pXf, etc: Knows something about the game, and should be respected until proven otherwise. If talented, a bit careless about giving away information.

    Photo of babies: Probably older, 25-35. It's probably their kids.

    Photo of self: Self-absorbed, worried about image. I'd play this guy like you played hairplug guy.

    Silly name: Probably younger and not very serious.

    CashmanBrian/PSDollars icon: Risk-averse, because why else would they trade in!

    Photo of Bear/shark/mean dog: Sees themselves as a predator.

    PWN in name, or online poker reference: More experienced player.

    LoginID, or Time 13 secs: Tricky by nature.

    Hope that helps!
  3. Neek Neek is offline

    Boca Raton, FL
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    Dec 16th, 2006 (12/16/2006 10:32am) in reply to Jennifear

    What does my pic of my car (Subaru STi) say about me?)

    :)
     
  4. matt7898 matt7898 is offline

    Halifax
    Canada

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    Dec 16th, 2006 (12/16/2006 10:37am) in reply to Neek

    what about people with pictures of marijuana
  5. Jennifear Jennifear is offline

    Niagara Falls, NY
    United States

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    Dec 16th, 2006 (12/16/2006 10:39am) in reply to matt7898

    Gank owns!
  6. Jennifear Jennifear is offline

    Niagara Falls, NY
    United States

    Posts: 10,274
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    Dec 16th, 2006 (12/16/2006 10:42am) in reply to Neek

    Add in your sunglasses, and you have confidence.

    You are proud of your possesion, and undoubtedly earned it.
  7. luciano luciano is offline

    Beaver Falls, PA
    United States

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    Dec 16th, 2006 (12/16/2006 12:11pm) in reply to Jennifear

    What does a picture of Al Pacino as "the Godfather" say?
  8. jesterwords jesterwords is offline

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    Dec 16th, 2006 (12/16/2006 12:24pm) in reply to luciano

    it says you don't know the best gotfather... Marlon Brando, OBV
  9. jtown1010 jtown1010 is offline

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    Dec 16th, 2006 (12/16/2006 12:31pm) in reply to jesterwords

    I'd like to know you're observations for the following people.

    -Man in early 70's, wearing a blue sweater, carrying a bottle of water and a portable CD player playing the soundtrack from "The Goonies"

    -Woman in her mid 40's wearing a white tank-top and black leather pants, accompanied by what looks like a gang of biker women.

    Man in his early 20's eating a brownie and drinking a sprite,wearing flip-flops and socks, shorts and a T-Shirt with 3 wristbands on(one on each wrist and one on elbow)
  10. Claw1980 Claw1980 is offline

    Elk Grove, CA
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    Dec 16th, 2006 (12/16/2006 2:05pm) in reply to DP388

    talking to players before a tourney can give you a good idea about the way they play, some people are willing to engage in strategy talk before you start, at least to some degree. Others are very open but how much have played or what their accomplishments are, especially if you use probing questions.. "First time in a WSOP event?" etc, etc....granted a really crafty player could lie to you, but i guess you would have to just read that as well. I have used this along with visual cues to much success in accessing people's games.
     
  11. Digby West Digby West is offline

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    Dec 16th, 2006 (12/16/2006 7:18pm) in reply to Jennifear

    I cannot believe your post, that is absolutely ridiculous, I hope it was a joke.
    I have a story, one time I was playing poker, 3-6 limit, I had AA in the small blind, 3 callers, all white people with goatees, they looked like bikers....................well I forget the rest but.............................your moms a whore.
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