Poker Tips: Don't Discuss Strategy

Poker Tells, Betting Strategy
January 5 2009

As you progress as a poker player you will learn lots of different strategies. All that hard work and long hours of play are something that we’re proud of, and many of us like to show how much we know about the game. But showing an opponent how much you know is not the best way to play against someone, especially if it's an experienced player who will use that information against you.

Try to avoid discussing why you made a move once a hand is over. Discussing your theory on a play tells an opponent how you think about the game. This will lead to opponents recognizing your plays for what they are, because you told them how you handle certain situations. Not only are you giving it away to the player you’re in the hand with, but the rest of the table gets to hear it as well.

This will often take the form of defending yourself after a player makes a statement against a play you made. As you defend your play, you’re giving away how you think about the game and how knowledgeable you are thus far in your poker development. Keep you poker face and stay out of discussions until the game is over.

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