[pritz]

What is the best way to play with new people that you don't know too well? Are there any common signs that someone is bluffing or has a good hand that I could use to read them? thanks guys

[DeepBlue]

Play cautiously until you have a better idea about their style of play. Look out for the big raises when the cards come down and be wary of checking as that can give away reasonably weak hands a little.

Not much else I can suggest other than play a while without getting into too many hands to see what level your opponents are at.

[jhasper]

It is difficult to spot a bluff from somebody you've just sat down with. There is no reliable way to know if somebody is bluffing unless you know their tendencies. But it doesn't usually take very long to learn what moves they like to make, if you pay attention. Once you play with them for an hour or so, you should be able to get a read on all but the very best players. Until then, play only the best hands, and avoid making loose calls.

Having said this, one reliable tell is when a player tries to make it look like he's strong. Chances are, he's not. Likewise, when a player tries to appear weak, he's normally strong. Look for guys who pause for a while as if thinking, then raise quietly. They're not likely to be bluffing.

[ballen]

The fastest way on line to pick someone off is to pay close attention to the hand history. Anytime this guy goes to a show down find out what he is playing and how he is betting.

For most new players weak and strong and strong is weak. If you have a guy being over aggressive it will not take many hands to figure him out. Because he will be seeing 50% or more flops Just play tight untill you do.

[norshvind]

I agree with jhasper and ballen.All you can do is be alert to anything they give off, thier tells, betting patterns their position and their style of play.

[viral4u]

Have you ever seen Maverick with Mel Gibson?He promises to lose for an hour if they let him in the game. He sits back for an hour losing his money and promised and simply watches everyone. By the time the hour is up he has learned everyone's tells and begins taking all their money. It's just like that.

Personally I've thrown the strong=weak weak=strong thing out the window. Ya I personally noticed MYSELF doing it in earlier days...but I've ran into MANY newbies that will unintenionally act strong when strong and vice-versa. So I try to just sit back and watch what I can. When I sit down with players I've never played with before I am playing the cards. I am playing my odds and nothing more. As I learn how the players play I then begin to play them more then my cards.

[DeepBlue]

I'd not seen that one viral, though thats very interesting play and impressive to boot. I wouldn't have the guts to sit and lose money for an hour mind, but I guess that an hours insight into players style is invaluable and shoudln't be sneezed at.

Takes patience and skill though - a good memory is essential.

[Shotsie]

The only real advice that has ever been given to me towards a topic like this, is "always watch the cards." What happening on the table in front of you, and what is happening in your hand are two of the most vital signs you need to be aware of at all times. Yes, people are interesting, and watching them helps to make the game more understandable, but "No" it doesnt get the game played, and it most deffinitley does not better your chances for winning. But I will say this, one good thing that helps get your opponets off balance is talking to them. Engage them in random conversation all through out the play, and pretty soon you will notice there attention starting to waver from the game..most all of the time.

[DeepBlue]

That's a little immoral shotsie! Then again, there is enough of this "spin" going round the tables anyway so I'm sure it's probably as well to embrace rather than ignore this style of "play".

Newbies are most dangerous because of naivity(sp?) though, they will play all sorts of hands.. but sometimes, they are going to get lucky on the flop, turn or river, making a huge hand when they really shouldn't have been in the game past the flop due to an appalling hand. Then again, if they win they can't be going too far wrong, I guess.