Quote Originally Posted by Checkways
If you understand standard moves/betting patterns for your typical player then you can determine what a person has based on how they deviate or don't deviate from that pattern.

Also, it's about starting from the beginning. Look at postion, preflop action, your image, etc. It's very difficult to get a stone cold read on the flop unless there was some raising preflop. You'll usually need the turn and the river to help you out.

My suggestion would be to first study your own betting patterns, figure out what kind of player you are, and see how others differ from you. This is something that I'm sure you've already done, but by looking at this from the standpoint of understanding others, it helps.
There is definatly truth in this. I think many people believe that reading is some magical skill that is developed when really its about understanding how every and any hand can be played from anywhere. Any adice onthis must consist of learning how toplay any hand whether it be a set a flush draw open ender etc. Once you figure out how people can play those hands and add this to the information you gain about players tyles at the table (table image) then you have the equipment to read a player imo