The Basic Levels of Thinking in Playing Poker

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One of the hardest transitions in playing middle-high stake Online Poker is learning to play on multiple levels of thought processing. This can make you more money and can also boost your game provided that you are able to change levels during a hand.

Here are the three basic levels of thinking:

Level 1

Majority of poker players are sporting this level one thinking. They are more focused on their cards and the texture of cards on flop. Whether they are holding a hand or not, they never really represent anything different and seldom give any idea of what their opponents are holding. Level one players are obviously, the easiest ones to beat on the table. Often they play too big on pots with hands like top pair or top kicker.

Level 2

Level 2 poker games are the real games. The basic principle here is to know what cards the other players are holding and what they might hold. Majority of players will eventually reach level two thought processing if they continuously play the game at a long period of time. Level 2 players usually play the game and winning it at low limits and will achieve big Poker Tournaments finishes every now and then if the cards fall their way. However, they are not the players you can consistently see at final tables.

A key attitude that most level 2 players apply to their games is the ability to understand what their opponents think. With this, solid level 2 players are capable of starting well timed bluffs.

Level 3

The level 3 thinking is called the nuts. Only few players will ever get to this level of thinking. These types of players ask this question to themselves: What does my opponent have and what are they thinking? What do I want to project to my opponents and what does my opponents want me to think I have? Level 3 players usually are the bluff catchers and they play more bluffs than the average player. These types of players are consistent winners and they normally play the best at high stakes heads up table. They usually take level 2 player’s stack for tens of thousands of dollars at a time.

Tips to enhance the different levels of thinking

Practicing on online Poker Rooms, especially at Top 10 Poker rooms will greatly help in honing your skills and playing strategies. While doing so, it is wise that you watch carefully some of the best players at high stake tables. Or while playing yourself, make a concerted effort to force your opponents on a hand and decide what they think you have. It is always important that you are capable of reading your opponent’s hands and moves. If you already acquired the skill of reading your opponent’s judgment, you can always use this as your advantage.

Once you have already mastered or can reasonably understand how your opponents will act or react in specific situations, it is now much easier for you to position and present different holdings. Try leveling up your Poker Games by participating in higher stake tournaments.