In the same way that a mechanic has a check-list of things to look for when repairing a car it is good for you to have a check-list of things to think about when you need to understand your opponents. Perception and observation are fundamental assets when it comes to getting inside your opponent's head. Observing their actions (and non-actions) and interpreting them as best you can.
Sherlock Holmes would say that elementary deduction is all that's required. But you also need to be sensitive. You need to be receptive to every emotion your opponents feel and sympathise with them as you take their chips. This is one reason that poker should never be compared to chess. A computer program can be a world champion chess player but could never have the understanding that is necessary to be a world champion poker player.
If you want to deduce what your opponent has you can start by assuming that they could have anything. Take into account what they say and the way they say it. Obtain information from their body language and question their motives. Then through a process of elimination try to work out their most probable holding. When all else fails go with your gut instinct.
‘Betting to find out where you stand' is a tactic that is often employed in tournaments but many players don't know exactly what they're looking for. If after betting for information you are called simply ask yourself “Would this person flat call with only a drawing hand or are they trying to trap me?” If they raise you, you probably need to ask yourself the following:
“What does my opponent put me on?” If you can deduce what hand they think you have then you will be in a very good position. After all you know exactly what you have. And if you deduce that your opponent thinks you're weak when you are not then all you need to figure out is how to win the maximum amount of chips. In a high tension situation make sure you relax as much as possible.
Getting inside your opponent's head is vastly more important to a tournament player than to a cash game player. Seats are drawn at random and you will be forced to play against the same players for hours on end. The most important thing to remember is that the vast majority of decisions are made on impulse. If you can get inside your opponents head's you can make those impulses work for you.
{Stephen Mc Lean represents Irish Poker Events…www.pokerevents.ie…You can contact him by email at stephen@pokerevents.ie}