How to read your opponents in poker (without guessing)

“Reading” an opponent in poker isn't magic or staring into their eyes. It's something far more useful and learnable: estimating their range — the set of hands they'd play this way — and deciding against that set.

Every action narrows the range

Before they act, your opponent could have any hand. But each thing they do eliminates possibilities:

• •If they raise from early position, their range is tight and strong (premium pairs, broadways).
• •If they just call, it's usually a more medium range (not strong enough to raise, not weak enough to fold).
• •If they bet big on a dangerous board, they either have something very strong or are representing that they do.

Play against the range, not against one hand

Don't ask yourself “do I beat THEIR hand?” (you don't know it), but “how does mine do against their WHOLE range?”. That's the question good players ask automatically.