Here are 16 useful tips for playing the player. Your opponent is a major part of every hand you play. Improve your reads and your exploits with these tips.

Watch this podcast #502 on YouTube:

Or, listen to the episode as you follow along below:

1. Observe Their Actions and Make Reads

Observing the action >>> Reads >>> Exploits

Multi-tabling makes observations tough, build the skill with 1/2 tables at a time.

Don’t distract your attention with email, Netflix or YouTube.

When you fold, continue observing and put yourself in their shoes. Make reads and ask/answer, “What would I do here?”

You folded A4s, but you see the cbettor check-back the flop. Weakness! What would you do if you were the SB?

2. Color Code by Player Type ASAP

Do this as soon as you get a read whether it’s through HUD stats, stack size, topping off or plays they make.

Actions speak! Limp = fish; fold 12 hands = tight; 3bet J9s = LAG.

Short stacks are likely fish/recs. Always topping off = TAG, LAG, Regs.

Adjust your read on player type with more history

Green = fish, Orange = LAG, Yellow = TAG, Red = Nit.

3. Pay Attention to HUD Statistics

Use the HUD for the tool it is. The Smart HUD for PokerTracker 4 is the best HUD in the business – get it here.

Statistics tell you their tendencies, how often they make certain plays.

Frequency of plays >>> reads >>> exploits.

Iso-raise the 71% VPIP limper, 3bet for value vs the LAG!

4. Game Plan How You’ll Exploit Everyone

Write this down and start with the player on your right (you have ultimate position on them).

Spot their weaknesses (through history or stats), write an exploit to use against them.

For example, you notice he’s turn honest versus cbets. Make a note and tell yourself to DOUBLE-BARREL BLUFF HIM.

Tell yourself what to do with ALL CAPS

Once you write 2-3 exploits against him, go to the next player on his right (around the full table).

5. “What’s he doing this with?”

This is Poker’s Ultimate Question.

Ask/answer this question for every action they make, use as much info as possible.

Answer >>> read on strength >>> exploit.

6. Analyze One Regular Player Each Week

Pull them up in PokerTracker 4 and review 20+ showdown hands.

Find their weaknesses and take note of them along with exploits to use.

I do this in my Weaknesses & Exploits Journal:

7. Create a List of Weaknesses & Exploits

Create one with Word (like above) and break it down by player type.

Use this as you play and work to use your exploits as often as is profitable.

8. Who Is Your Target?

EVERY play targets someone. Open-raising targets the blinds, 3betting targets the open-raiser, donk betting targets the cbettor.

Don’t just raise or call based on hand strength.

Who you’re up against MATTERS as they determine which exploits are likely profitable.

Before opening w/Q4s on the BTN, realize you’re targeting the blinds.

• What do you know about them?
• Do they fold to steals?
• Capable of 3betting bluffing?
• If they call, how can you steal the pot post-flop?

9. Put Yourself in a Spot to Use an Exploit

You don’t have to wait for the opportunity.

Remember: Every play targets someone (#8 above). Well, make plays that target an easy exploit.

Exploit you notice and make a play to target it:

• The BB is turn honest, and there are few 3bettors still to act.
• You hold 73s in the MP. If you open, the most likely caller is the BB.
• You open so that you can barrel the turn and win a nice pot with 73s.
• Sometimes it works and you get the situation you want.
• Other times, they all fold to you and you stole the blinds w/73s.

10. Learn from Showdown Hands

Showdowns reveal what a player values in a hand.

When a hand reaches showdown, replay the hand.

Analyze the plays they made while knowing the hand strength they had at the time.

Take player notes on their weaknesses and how you can exploit them.

11. Tag Hands w/”Learn-A-Lesson”

This is great on Ignition/Bovada because you can learn from hole cards exposed hands 24 hours later.

This is also just a great habit to get into on any site. Tag the hands and do hand reading on it during your study session.

I suspected a weak 3bet… and he had T9s! Should’ve cold 4bet bluffed.

12. Do What He DOESN’T Want You to Do

When you get a read that they have a marginal hand, like a weak pair or draw… attack!

Do the thing they would hate to see.

• Bob123 doesn’t want you to 3bet… do it!
• Susan789 wants a cheap showdown… bet big!
• Marky456 probably doesn’t like the flop and wants a free turn… don’t let ’em have it!

13. Exploit Their Exploits

Use their exploits against them.

You’re always observing their actions and who they’re targeting. When you believe they’re exploiting, slap ’em in the face with your own exploit.

• If they’re iso-raising a limper to get ’em HU, 3bet bluff ’em!
• If they’re 3bet bluffing, cold 4bet ’em!
• If they’re cbet bluffing IP against you, check-raise ’em!

14. Take Player Notes… and Remember to Use Them!

So you’re paying attention, learning from their showdowns and you’re taking player notes, great!

You gotta remember to use your notes, though.

I know it’s tough to remember to look at your notes, and I’m guilty of not using them and losing because of it.

Recently, I took a player note that this fish can’t fold a TP vs overbets. Later, I didn’t remember I took that note and I spewed a ton of chips against a likely TP hand. I wish I had remembered and read my prior note. Could’ve saved myself almost a full stack.

15. Strive for IP Play, Especially vs Strong Players

Give YOURSELF and edge, and not them, by purposefully playing IP vs strong players.

• 3bet ’em from the CO and BTN.
• Call from the CO and BTN to use your position post-flop.
• Limit calling from the blinds and giving them position.

16. Join the Play the Player Boot Camp

Click here to join: https://go.smartpokerstudy.com/play-the-player-poker-boot-camp

Take Action: Play 5x “Exploit ’em All!” Sessions

Listen to Smart Poker Study Podcast Episode #503 as you follow along below:

Over your next 5 play sessions:

• Play with an attitude of “I’m going to exploit ’em all!”
• Play just 1 or 2 tables to give yourself brain space to make reads and exploits. Too many tables makes it hard to play the player effectively.
• With every preflop play, you’re making it with your opponent (or potential opponents) in mind. You have AA and would normally 3bet, but there are 3 aggressive players still to act. You decide to call instead to get one of them to 3bet squeeze.
• Same for every post-flop play. Sure, you have TP and you’re raising his donk bet. But, you’re raising it because he likely has a weak hand or draw, and you’re not going to let him set his own price to improve on the turn.
• Use an “Exploit ’em all!” tick sheet and make a tick mark for every exploitative play you make.
• At the end of session 1, count the # of tick marks you made.
• For each of the next 4 sessions, set a goal of making 10% more exploitative plays.

Special Video Gift

This Exploit ’em All! demonstration video is from my Player the Player Boot Camp. Play your first session as outlined above, then watch this video. Then, do your next 4 “Exploit ’em all!” sessions.

Good luck and ganbatte!