Your table image in poker refers to the perception of you that your opponents have. Playing inappropriately for your table image can lead to losing hands that you should really have won. This article shows you how to use your poker table image to your advantage – and so gain bigger profits.
We start by looking at the extremes of table image, before moving on to more subtle attributes of play that contribute to this. Next we examine how certain table images can work to your advantage when playing both strong and weak hands. Finally the effect of other player’s table image on the perception of you will be covered – taking the poker table image discussion to a new level!
The 2 extremes of table image are those of a ‘wild’ player who bets and raises any hand from any position, and the ‘rock’ who will sit patiently all night waiting for aces. These players are easy to spot at the table and also easy to adjust your play for. Simply get out of the way when the rock finally raises but be prepared to play back ‘light’ against the wild player from good position.
There are actually 2 other aspects of play that contribute to table image in poker. These are players who call too much and those who fold too much. The former – known as ‘calling stations’ often go to the river with weak hands, those who fold and generally play too passively will be bluffed off of hands that would have won had they called.
It is important that you categorize your opponents while playing and adjust your play accordingly. It is equally important that you are aware of how the other players at the table are perceiving you – that is your table image.
The reason is that many of their actions during the play of hands will reflect their perception of you. For example if you just got caught bluffing on the river with 7-2 off suit then the tables perception will temporarily change. The next few hands you should cut down on bluffs – but also make sure that you play your monster hands in such a way as to appear to be bluffing. An example would be to over-bet the pot appearing like you want your opponents to fold.
Conversely, if your table image becomes that of a tight player who often folds (for example because you hit a bad run of cards) then you are in a great position to take a pot or two with timely bluffs. If you raised the last 5 hands and suddenly get dealt aces you should resist the temptation to slow-play them! Your wild table image makes raising with them perfect – the chances are someone will take a stand with a weaker hand and will re-raise you.
The important skill in both cases is to use your impression of your opponent’s in these moves. After all, there is little point bluffing into a ‘calling station’ even if your table image is that of a tight player.
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