Verb

To analyze tells, betting patterns from previous hands, actions taken thus far in the current hand, any exposed cards or community cards, and any other available information with the goal of discovering what cards or type of hand an opponent is likely to be holding; to infer what cards an opponent is holding.

EXAMPLE: "I learned to play the game in online poker rooms, and still haven't fully developed my ability to read my opponents in person. I also haven't picked up on all my tells yet so I can avoid them, so I know some of my more skilled opponents have no difficulty reading me."

APPLIES TO: Online and Land-based Venues

RELATED TERMS: Put On, Represent, Table Image

Noun

An inference about an opponent's hand based on tells, betting patterns from previous hands, actions thus far in the current hand, any exposed cards or community cards, and any other available information; an expectation of what hand an opponent might have.

EXAMPLE: "While I have a difficult time predicting the exact cards my opponents have, I can often get a good read of whether an opponent has a drawing hand or a made hand."

APPLIES TO: Online and Land-based Venues

RELATED TERMS: Put On, Represent, Table Image