Levels of thinking in poker
I have been playing poker for some years now and sometimes I forget that some concepts that are trivial to me are not trivial to non poker players or beginning poker players. I realized this again, since my father is starting to play poker a few weeks ago. Therefore I will discuss a basic poker topic this article: the levels of thinking of poker. This refers to the deepness of thought process in playing poker. It starts with a simple level 1 and it continues to the very high level good poker pro’s have.
Level 1 thinking
Level 1 thinking means that a player is only playing his own cards. Level 1 thinking players will look at 72o and fold immediately. If they have pocket aces they are happy and will reraise. Postflop they are also only concerned about their own hand. They do not incorporate the possible holdings of their opponents.
Level 2 thinking
Level 2 thinking is already more in-depth than level 1. Level 2 thinking not only includes a player’s own card in the decision making process, but also their opponent’s possible cards. For instance, on a K K 9 8 2 non flush board and you are holding K7 off suit and facing a river all in of your opponent. A level 1 thinking player thinks: “Hurray, I have trips and my opponent is all in”. A level 2 thinking player will think ”With which hands is my opponent going all in”. If this is a very tight opponent he will only go all in with AK, KQ, K9, K8, K2, 99, 88, and 22, folding is the best option. If this opponent is a maniac, who can do this with any 2 cards, calling is profitable.
Level 3 thinking
Level 3 incorporates your own holding, your opponent’s possible holding but also how your opponent is perceiving you. If your opponents perceive you as a total maniac, they will pay you off more than if they perceive you as a nit. Opponents will also be looking at what you are representing, and if this is logically with your betting patterns. Opponents may bluff you if you are not “repping” something, but you may bluff them back, if they aren’t repping something neither. And then hands like these evolve:
Level zillion thinking
This game I know that you know that I know that you know can go on till infinity. My experience in low stakes is that you should not overestimate your opponents, because you would be giving them too much credit. As you move up, you encounter tougher opponents who will think on a higher level. Showdowns are a good way to discover what their level of thinking is, and I always pay attention at showdowns , such that I can take advantage of it.
