A Beginner's Guide to Table Images
A valuable piece of strategy in poker is creating a table image. Having an effective table image would allow you to skirt past your opponents' tells, therefore putting you in control of the game tempo and into a good position. Table images also exhibit the fact that poker is more than a game of chance; it is a game of strategy.
A table image in poker is made up of a player's characteristics as the game progresses. This includes but is not limited to patterns of physical behavior (example: if one is talkative or not), game behavior (example: betting patterns, fold or flop percentages), and strategic considerations (example: if a player considers bluffing or slow playing).
One goal in poker is to be able to predict each player's behavior. In doing so, one could strategize efficiently, as in when to call or when to fold. This could often be done through identifying a player's table image. For example, if a player has a table image of a bluffer, then most often, one would be aggressive towards that player in order to break their bluff.
However, since table images serve as cues to a player's strategy and play, one could also use it against opponents. Having a misleading table image would allow one to lure opponents into acting in such a way that the plays are favorable to you. In the case of a bluffer, for example: because a player has a table image of a bluffer, then other players would most often call and raise that player, in an attempt to break the bluff. However, if the bluffer has strong cards in hand, then one has effectively lured one's opponents into betting large against a winning hand.
A good practice for beginning poker players would be to delve into playing online poker first, so as to practice creating and reading table images. Online poker, due to its virtual nature, eliminates any physical manifestations of behavior, thus making reading and creating table images much simpler. This would make beginning poker players concentrate on game behavior and strategies, thus eliminating the distractions physical behavior may sometime create.
If one does devote their time to live poker, then a good practice would be to try out different table images, through changes in physical behavior. In doing so, one would find the most comfortable and natural table image, thus having full control of one's own actions.
Remember, a key to winning in poker is being effective in reading and creating table images. Try to practice first in online poker, as this environment eliminates many variables that could be distracting or difficult for a beginner. Learn to avoid tells by having a misleading table image; but also look out for others who might be misleading you. Having a good control over one's table image would ensure a good chance of winning.