The Power of Observation in No Limit Holdem Tournaments

One of the most essential skills that a good tournament player (or any poker player for that matter) must sharpen is the ability to observe what is going on around them.

Why are observational skills so important?

Being observant while playing poker is an invaluable skill. Because poker is a game of incomplete information, the only true way to gain an informational advantage over your opponent is by paying attention. Each decision is highly important during a tournament because a single mistake can eliminate you. Therefore, the advantage goes to those who make better decisions. The more information you have, the more likely you are to make good decisions.

So what types of things should I be observing, and how can I use them to my advantage?

Every player pays attention to their own cards, as well as the community cards. That information is readily available, practically dancing in your face. In addition, many players will pay attention to the size of the pot as a decision making factor. This information is also readily available to any player who was not previously paying attention.

However, there are some simple, less obvious things that can bring you a decision making advantage if you’re willing to pay attention to them.

1. The style of play of the opponents to your left. These are the players that you will have position on when they are in the blinds. Are they loose? Are they tight? If so, which ones? Knowing this will help you determine when a good time to bring it in for a raise might be when it’s folded around to you. Be more inclined to raise/steal with just about anything when it’s the big blind of a weak-tight player. When a loose aggressive player is in the blinds, you might want to wait for a slightly better hand.
   
   
2. The chip stack sizes of the players to your left. This can play a factor in whether or not you bring it in for a raise. Be more inclined to steal when your stack is comparable to those you are stealing from. When a player is getting desperate, and is on the edge, you’re more likely to get played back at … typically for all his chips. When one or two players to your left are getting desperate, you should make sure you have a hand when you raise.
   
   
3. Play the “guess what will happen at showdown” game. When you’re not in the hand, try to put people on a hand. When you’re wrong or right, make a note of your assumptions and make the appropriate adjustments when you finally end up in a hand with that opponent. This is an excellent way to pass the time while the cards are not hitting you (which is highly common).

Conclusion

Observational skills are absolutely essential to playing better tournament poker. Paying attention at the table can give you an informational advantage over those who are too lazy to do so. These few simple observational adjustments to your tournament strategy can help you make better, more informed decisions, and should help to increase your overall tournament success.

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