What Does Put on Mean in Poker?
To “put on” in poker means to assign a potential hand or range of hands to an opponent based on their actions and betting patterns during a game. This is a crucial skill in online poker as well, where physical tells aren’t available.
When You Might Hear Or Use The Term Put on:
“Put on” is often used when discussing hand reading skills, such as “I put him on a flush draw after that big raise on the turn.”
In-Game Example:
Imagine you’re playing a hand and your opponent, who rarely bluffs, suddenly makes a large bet on the river after a passive play throughout. You might “put them on” a strong hand like a full house or a flush.
Strategy / Tips:
- Best Practice: Pay close attention to your opponent’s betting patterns and previous hands to accurately “put” them on a range.
- Common Mistake: Overcommitting to a specific hand rather than considering a range can lead to costly errors.
- Pro Tips: Adjust your reads based on live tells when playing face-to-face or timing tells when playing online.
Differences Playing Over the Table vs Online:
In live poker, physical tells can give you additional information to “put” someone on a hand, whereas online, you’ll rely more heavily on betting patterns and timing tells.
Alternative Names:
Guessing ranges, hand reading.
FAQs:
Q: How do you improve your ability to “put” someone on a hand?
A: Practice by reviewing hands and considering not just the current hand, but also past behavior and context.
Related terms:
- Hand Reading
- Range
- Tells
