When you’ve been playing poker for a while, you become experienced at picking up information on your opponents. This can be vital at the poker table. Here’s an example of a great read that Team PartyPoker member Bodo Sbrzesny made at the PartyPoker Big Game recently.

“I was sat at the table, and while I wasn’t in the pot, I was watching closely a hand with David “Viffer” Peat and Phil Laak.”

“Laak raised pre flop from the small blind, and Viffer was out of position. 8s 2d 10h came the board, and Viffer bet the pot. After Laak called they see an 8c at the turn. Viffer bet the pot size again and Laak called. The river brings a 7D and Viffer bets the pot size again – which is now £9,000! Laak simply knocks over his chip stacks and lets them fall into the middle for another £20-£30k!”

“I leave the table and speak to the people watching. I say that I would fold a 22 here, because Laak holds 8-7 suited or even 10-10, or 8-8. Viffer folds after thinking about it for 10 minutes.”

“After this there was a break and a few players met for a discussion about this hand. I heard over and over again their ratings, partly they assumed a 77 for Laak which is absolutely not understandable for me. But they didn’t share my opinion either, and were laughing about it. They were incredulous: how could I think that Laak could hold 8-7 suited?”

“I know Phil Laak by now quite good, because I’ve played 4 times with him. “Eventually Laak stops by to listen to our conversation and says “listen to the internet –kid, he always is right” and confirmed that he held 87. Yes!!!”

Developing reads on other players is important if you’re going to win consistently at poker. Is this something you like to do at the poker table? Leave a comment and let us know.