Decoding online poker chat

If there is one thing that online poker is lacking when compared to real brick and mortar games, it is one’s inability to see and verbally communicate with other players. At a real card room, these visual and verbal cues are what players use to get the edge on their competition and put players on hands. In fact, many people still stay away from online poker because they feel at a disadvantage without these insights. Well, those people are missing out. Just because you can’t see your opponent at the online table doesn’t mean you can’t extract information on what they might do next. In fact, there are many ways to get the information you need about your competition while playing online.

One of the best ways to get information on a player, especially at the lower levels is to simply watch the chat box. While the chat box can be used as a source of information at the higher levels, it is not as consistent of a source and frankly it is used less in middle and high limit games. In terms of low limit games however, the chat box might as well be your real world view of the competition. Let’s analyze a few chat box behaviors that can provide valuable insight at the tables:

• Chatty Kathy’s: Some people just never shut up and unfortunately that goes for poker players too. The good news however is that very few people can talk your ear off and play good poker. If you notice someone constantly talking, whether in the hand or not, you should take note that this could be a susceptible player. While some will use chat to confuse their opponents, these tacticians usually do it tactfully and don’t talk too often. Constant chatter is the best indicator that someone’s mind is on things other than poker, which is completely fine; maybe they are just there to have fun. If that’s the case though, make sure you punish them for it and take their money!
• Silence: Some people never chat. This can be good and bad. Usually it is a pretty fair indicator of someone not interested in idol conversation and more interested in the game. These are the kind of people that won’t even respond if you tell them “good hand” or something similar. These players can be dangerous and you should take note that they may be savvy or experienced.
• Poker related compliments and replies: These are the players that routinely compliment others on good hands or good plays or routinely reply when others do the same to them. Just because a player shows good poker chat etiquette (is there such a thing?) does not mean they are a great player. Take this information merely as an indication of some experience and realize you will have to study the player some more to extract useful information.

There are many other key things to watch for in the chat box as well. For example, sometimes players might get angry or aggressive with one another. You should relish in this and sit back and watch. This is the absolute best time to take them for a lot of money. In real life, you can tell someone is on tilt by their face and their demeanor. Online, just watch for people freaking out or getting mad at other players via chat. Players who do this are primed to make mistakes and play poorly. Use this short term advantage to outplay frazzled opponents who overplay or underplay hands.

The bottom line here is that the chat box is your window into the competition. A little phrase here or there can go along way and you need to pay attention to every little bit as to expose the most information about your opponents. Remember, poker is a game of small edges; you’ll need everyone you can get. Looking for advice on how you should handle the chat box? Mute yourself, sit back and watch the pots roll in.