How to get good reads in NL ring?

[Robert]

Now that I'm playing NL 25 6-max opposed to full ring and SnGs before, I've become aware that a major leak in my game is getting proper reads (because reads are so important in 6-max).
I use PT and PA-Hud so I usually have some stats on the people I play against. So I usually now who's loose and who's tight, and who's being being really aggressive and who's passive. But thats about it. Knowing whether fx if a person is loose aggressive or not helps when I'm trying to make a difficult postflop decision, but most often its not enough.

What I'm asking for is tips on what I need to look for when I'm trying to get reads on the other players at the table. What do I need to focus on? Because if I'm not focusing on something specific at my tables (I two-table 6-max), my attentions seems to drift off.

I've been trying to do some handreading in every hand that is played at my table, but putting the fish in NL 25 on a hand even after some postflop action is often close to impossible.

[AHiltz]

Betting patterns are good to watch. Folding patterns as well.

If they showdown a monster, quickly lookup the hand history to see how they played it.

[finky]

Betting patterns are good to watch. Folding patterns as well.

This.

How do they play top pair, second pair, draws, sets, AK etc. write it in the notes as soon as you see it. It takes some time to build up a good picture but after a while see if you can predict what they are holding before showdown.

[Miffed22001]

Know what they raise with
Look at the flop
think
then bet accordingly, despite what you might hold.
Play their cards not yours in most cases

[Rondavu]

How do they play draws? What does a weak bet mean? Do they like seeing the turn when weak for any price? How do they play a strong hand? Do they slowplay or get aggressive when strong/weak? If they call a big bet that destroys their drawing odds, is it likely they're drawing? In other words is this a chaser or no chaser? It's important because you can eliminate the draw on certain large calls.

Ask yourself what every bet means, and if you don't have the answer, find it. It's a jigsaw puzzle with missing pieces, and the longer you play with the same opponent, the more complete that puzzle becomes, and the better to pwn them with.

IMHO, 6-Max NL Ring is a readmasters playground. It's mind bending how to manipulate the information when you're not used to doing it. Just keep practicing.

You should spend most of the time you're not in the hand looking at HH's, and evaluating anything you can take advantage of. If you're not doing this, then you're losing money.

[r8ed]

I just started playing 6max too. I always note whether they bet draws and whether they chase. I note all preflop raises and what they show down with. I also note what % of the pot they bet when they raise preflop so I can tell what's a continuation bet and what's a protection bet (ie. They have AcKd and the board is Kc6s7s and they bet full pot rather than their usual 1/2 pot). How do they bet when they have the goods - some guys check or min-bet while others are aggressive. Some guys will bet full pot when checked around. Note that so when you hit a monster you can disguise your hand by letting them bet it for you.

I was doing this at 10max and it helped me make decisions when I had to. Then I figured it would be easier shorthanded. It is easier. However, if you aren't used to making lots of tricky decisions you can get in trouble. I'm still adjusting but I can see that once you hone your skills here, your profits should increase nicely. I mostly made the switch to force myself to play mostly off reads and less off cards. I was lacking in this department - still am but not as much.

[underminedsk]

First you want to profile each player, at least roughly. Are they tight or loose, agressive or passive?

An important part of reading is figuring out what their poker mentality is. Do they live and die by TPTK and over pairs? or are they smart and know that AA isnt always the nuts on the river?

As others have said before, one of the most important elements of reading is noticing betting patterns. Do they like to slow play their monsters? (I concider this one a pretty important thing to notice..it could save you alot of chips later) Always be checking hand histories and watch all showdowns, especially big ones. Do they show down marginal hands for big bets? Are they overly agressive. Especially take note of showdowns on which they raised preflop.

Also, some disagree wth this, but I think a player can get good reads off of the timer...i.e. how long a player takes to make a decision. Think/call means weakness alot of the time, while fast decisions usually means a made hand (or maybe a quick-thinking player, which means hes good). There is alot more to be written on the subject of timers, but I dont really feel like going inidepth...

Also instant folds usually mean they are using the preaction buttons, which is an indication of multitabling, which can indicate a better player (one who feels comfortable mutlitabling, because you wont find many fish multitabling)