Is poker more math or player reading?

[lapgame]

I wanted to know what you think is most important to play well: mastering odds and odds or knowing how to read the behavior of others?

 

[Tero]

You shouldn't think of it just as one or the other. You should improve on both areas.

 

[TeUnit]

They really should be combined, you should be using the odds after you have identified the behavior.

 

[stil370]

my opine is a 50/50 split

 

[Snake2007]

I think reading the player is an important thing when you are in a poker tournament.

 

[NSX_Amfe2nat]

99% math and 1% reading

 

[infonazar]

I wanted to know what you think is most important to play well: mastering odds and odds or knowing how to read the behavior of others?

If we talk about online poker, in my opinion, the player's skill will be more important than his ability to read his opponents.

 

[odonob]

More reading of a situation and history of players tells. You also need the run good and decent cards.

 

[Lena M]

I wanted to know what you think is most important to play well: mastering odds and odds or knowing how to read the behavior of others?

Hi
Definitely math.
No matter how well you read your opponents, if you are not able to assess your chances or risks, you have no prospects.

 

[RALF_AK]

...in poker, mathematics cannot be controlled, only reading the players at the table and the strategy to face each style...

 

[Newzooozooo]

Hi
Live poker is a combination of skills and psychology, reading players. Online poker is a combination of skills and luck.

 

[john_entony]

My playing style is not about math. Sometimes I can play against the odds , but if I'm sure I can take all or most of chips when the river brings a good combination. I think math is overrated in poker in general.

 

[recerveau]

I believe that both are equally important. If you perform one of the two poorly, your game quality will drop significantly.

 

[Claudiunm]

Both must be developed together for your game to be balanced.

 

[ironduke11]

Both go hand in hand...

 

[dorsk]

Math is the easy part. Poker isn’t a mathematical game but a peoples game. Mind over math.

 

[romerim]

Both are important, but in online poker you also have to count on luck.

 

[Flyer35]

I agree that math is by far the most important thing at the lower levels. I assume the importance of player reading increases a lot when you get to the much higher levels, but I'll never know that for sure.

 

[Olzym]

Great question.

This is all a matter of opinion. Personally, if I had to choose, I believe the short answer is: Behaviour Of Others.

HOWEVER!
I’d say that’s only the case if you have a pretty decent understanding of probability.
For example:
It’s all well and good learning the behaviour of others and picking up tells, but that will not help you if you don’t understand; what they could have, what you block, how many outs you or they realistically have, etc etc.

This is what I love about the game. There are so many variables and nuances to take into consideration, if you want to.

In conclusion, I’d say the best way to play would be an even split of mastering the odds and learning behaviours. Keep studying, keep grinding, have fun.

 

[Pabloro10321]

I think it's a combination of both, but if you go with good math you'll have an advantage.

 

[Pulse_69]

I give more percent to math than to reading. Although both are definitely necessary. In addition, if you understand your opponents well, it still won't help you as much as the ability to think ahead, assess all your chances and risks, and be a strategist is definitely more important than math.

 

[pentazepam]

If you can read people's body language in LIVE poker, it's a tremendous advantage you can't get online.

For LIVE poker in general: the math is a basic necessity, and the player reading is extra information that gets more valuable the higher you play, since most good players know the math.

Online, it's almost the reverse.

 

[martinoni]

Player Reading and spots for me...

 

[antonis32123]

Math and skill . But online it's more important to learn how rng works , how it plans the hands

 

[Gilead]

Both are important, it's just that in online poker it's harder to read your opponent.