Getting Information Online

When playing online, you can’t see your opponents, but you should definitely be on the lookout for opponent behaviour like betting patterns and playing styles. There also some factors unique to the online game that will provide you with valuable information. Use this info in your online poker strategy.

Sitting Out

Is there a player at your online table that often runs out of time and is forced to check or fold their hand? You might even have a player that seems to be away from the table with their status displayed as “sitting out”. These are signs that a player is not concentrating. They might be watching TV or doing who-knows-what while playing. In any case, take advantage of such players by stealing their blinds and raising when they’re sitting out.

Chatting

It is advisable for most poker novices to avoid using the chatbox. You might inadvertently give information away. For that same reason, pay attention to how other players use the chatbox. If a player seems to be typing angry messages, maybe they’re on “tilt”, upset with an earlier hand and not thinking clearly. If a player’s chat message is garbled, maybe they are tired. Use this information to win chips.

Auto-Actions

If a player acting before you seems to instantly call a previous player’s big raise, they might have auto-called, meaning they preselected the option to call any raise. Especially, if done by a normally tight player, this may signal AA or another monster hand.

However, if you notice that a player is instantly checking, and seems to be using the auto-check option, it’s a potential sign of weakness. Take advantage of this scenario with a raise, which could even be a bluff or semi-bluff.

Playing Speed

Some players tend to make decisions slowly, while others usually act quickly. When a player does something that is not in line with their regular pattern of behavior, you should pay extra attention.

For example, a slow-acting player that all of a sudden checks or raises quickly might be facing an easier-than-usual decision. An insta-raise might signal the “nuts” or a very strong hand. An insta-check may signal that your opponent is weak and likely to fold to a raise.

On the other hand, if a normally quick player is taking a long time to act, they might be facing a difficult decision, or could even be trying to confuse you. In any case, something seems to be out of the ordinary, so pay close attention to the hand.