The annual World Series of Poker, held in Las Vegas, is (as its name suggests) one of the biggest poker tournaments in the world. It is now broadcast on television with glass tables and under-the-table video cameras to allow viewers to see the hole cards, allowing a fascinating insight into the betting patterns and behavior of the players. The televised images are backed up with expert commentary and so provide a great way to learn more about the game from the experts.  Anyone can enter, and some sites even offer a free WSOP entry.  Below is a list of 10 things you can learn by watching the World Series of Poker.

1. Since the World Series of Poker is such compelling viewing, beginners can pick up the rules of the game automatically, simply by watching.
2. Note how players maximize the potential of good hole cards. Note the early raises, reflecting the fact that they have a higher percentage chance of winning the pot.
3. The coverage of the World Series of Poker will sometimes show the percentage chances each player has of winning the pot. Examine these carefully and, as an exercise, try to work out the cards required by each player to win.
4. Watch how the experts try to extract as much money as possible from their rivals when they have good hands. Look at how they judge bets to try to avoid scaring other players into folding.
5. Take particular note of rounds where expert players fold strong hands which they believe will be beaten. Listen to the commentators try to explain the psychology and reasoning.
6. Watch the way the players behave and interact with one another during hands. Bearing in mind their hole cards, try to work out what sort of message they are trying to project into their opponents’ minds.
7. The World Series of Poker will exhibit some of the finest loose and tight players in the game. Study players who play in a similar way to yourself in order to improve your own game.
8. Study all the different types of players. These might be experts, but you will encounter the playing styles in your own games so you need to understand them.
9. Watch the techniques the experts use to bully low chip players out of the game.
10. Examine the techniques players use to try to avoid being ‘read’ by other players. Look particularly at their body language and the way they project themselves, particularly when they are bluffing, as described in the article “Learning To Play Poker – Tips When Bluffing”

Author

Alex Mayer is a Poker playing professional who issues her tips and strategy knowledge at the FirstPokerTips website. Hundreds of great tips available on everything from poker hand rankings to bluffing.

To become an expert poker player you need to understand bluffs and common poker tells.  Alex Mayer provides free unbiased poker advice including psychology  of poker on the First Poker Tips Poker blog. Many more articles are available on everything from bluffing, to tournaments and how to qualify for the WSOP for free.