The Importance of Knowing the Other Players’ Hands in Poker

One of the most important things to remember in poker is that it’s not just about your cards, but also what the other players are holding. This is where the expression “Play the Player, Not the Cards” comes from – don’t just look at your own hand, consider what your opponent might be holding and play accordingly.

This means you should always try to figure out the strength of other people’s hands, particularly in late position. This will give you better bluffing opportunities and allows you to play a wider range of hands.

It’s not easy to do, but with practice you can learn to read the other players at your table. For example, if you’re playing at a table with a few bad players and you see them frequently calling with weak pairs or even suited connectors, try to avoid making their hands as often as possible.

Similarly, you can find out the strong and weak hands of your opponents by watching their betting habits. If they are checking early and betting late, it’s likely that they have a good hand. On the other hand, if they are checking and then moving all in on the flop with a weak pair it’s likely that they have a monster. This is what you should look out for in late position and this is why you should try to play fewer hands in the early stages of the game. This will help you to build your bankroll and avoid getting caught in a losing deal.