Learn Play Poker

Welcome back guys,

Here as promised with the start of a new article series all about poker players themselves.

The series will look at a lot of different aspects of people who play the game instead of the game itself, knowing your opponant is the key to victory in any game and by reading through this series of five article you will definitely have a much better understanding of how people behave at the tables as well as how to conduct yourself for the best results.

The first article in the series looks at an increasingly important question considering the recent increase in quality female players into the more professional regions of our favorite game. Do Men and Women Play Differently?

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In general I do believe there is a difference between male and female poker players.  I believe however the difference is more pronounced at lower levels of play.  If you are a truly good poker player your gender is not much of a factor.  The skills that are required at a poker table are not gender specific; both genders have the same ability to play well. Poker is a mental and personality type game.  A man’s built in advantages of physical size and strength do not offer any advantages at the poker table as they do other form of sport.

The main difference if how the other player react to a woman sitting at the table.  This is especially true if the woman sitting down is young and attractive.  A truly good male player would not let this affect his play.  In reality though this does not often happen.  When an attractive woman plays at a table many changes instantly occur.  Male players generally become much more aggressive when in a hand against other males.  You often will have a situation where several players attempt to become the “alpha dog” at the table.  You will notice more bluffing; the pots will certainly be much larger.  More often than not however the play against the female will not be as aggressive. Rightly or wrongly most male players will instantly regard the female as lesser competition and act accordingly.

What does all of this mean to you the poker player?  It means you need to adjust your play accordingly.  If you are a man sitting at a table in the situation above you need to change gears and play a tight aggressive brand of poker.  You need to be patient and wait for the right hand.  Remember when you make a good hand there is a good chance opponents will be thinking with something other than their brains.

The other thing you need to do is consider all players equally.  Whether it is an elderly man or a young attractive female you need to regard them equal.  Over the course of a poker session you have very limited chance to rake a huge pot.  If one of these chances happens in a heads up showdown with a female you cannot allow chivalry to alter your sense of proper play.  Trust me when the tables are reversed she will not afford any kindness your way.