Table Image in Poker – Your Table Image

Table image is critical to success in the game of poker, especially if you're playing No-Limit Texas Hold Em. In fact, if you learn how to do it, it will make a huge difference and you'll quickly see great results.

Poker, when played right, is like an art, and you are an artist; it's not dissimilar to the theatrical arts. Often you have to play someone you're not to influence the audience in a specific way. There's more to being a skillful player than mastering tactics; you should also be able to create a table image that miscues your opponents and even prompt them to make mistakes. Also, like an actor who can play different roles from the average Joe to the unlenting hero to the despicable villain, you need to have a variety of table images to suit the table. Like a versatile actor, you do not want to be typecast.

In order to refine table image, you have to be aware of your habitual style and what your opponents think of you and how you play. Without the awareness of your natural style, you will not be able to adjust it to suit the occasion. It's much like an artist who has to know the rules first before he or she can break them. So, you must know your own natural style before you can change it accordingly.

Some Top Table Images

The main top table images are maniac, tight, loose, and crazy. You can play them straight or mix them. Your choice should be based on how you read the table. Is the table loose or tight? If it's loose, choose a loose image. If it's tight, choose a tight style.

There are also variations on the main themes. If tight, you can be passive or aggressive. Similarly, you can play passive or aggressive versions of loose.

However, differentiate between the image and your play. If you're playing maniac, it's what you want other to think of you, not that you are that way. For instance, you should not call down with a premium hand.

There is a lot you can do within each style. When playing tight, you can bluff. When playing loose, go ahead and make some stupid calls to dismay your opponents who will think you want to play more than to win. And when playing sharp players, good readers, crazy works well because your ilogical, unpredictable behavior will confuse them.

Three Core Table Image Strategies

Strategy # 1

You must play at a table where the other people are responsive to your table image. For instance, you're exploiting a loose table image, it will be wasted on a low-limit table, where the players probably will not even notice. At a low-limit table, you will be better off playing the cards rather than the players. Reserve table image for when you need to play the players.

Strategy # 2

Control your play and be willing to change on the spur of the moment. For instance, if you're playing like a maniac, it may not pay to waste money on trash hands.

Strategy # 3

This is important: on the flop, play tight. If the pot's cheap, it's smart to show a stupid hand. This works even if you're using a maniac tactic.

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Source by Jonathan Holloway