is poker above all a game of psychology (i.e. calling peoples' bluffs)?

Answer 1

Yes!!! You can have the worst hand in the world, and make another person fold a much better hand. Professional poker players play the players, not the cards. Luck can help, but most often bluffing another player out can lead to winning.

Answer 2

Bluffing is a lot less common than people think and, at the level most of us play at, psychology is pretty basic.

When you get to the higher levels of cash or tourney play, things start to get more tricksy. Unfortuntely this is the ONLY televised poker, so the casual viewer makes more of it than there is.

There's plenty of good writing out there, but a lot doesn't apply if you're playing 25-50c NL or whatever. It's pretty much ABC poker.

Answer 3

It's been said that poker is a people game played with cards. The best in the world can outplay the average poker player without even looking at their cards.

Answer 4

If you know the mechanics of the game, psychology will definitely play out in your favor. If your truly a poor player, it doesn't matter how many bluffs you call, before someone calls yours.

Answer 5

That is certainly a big part of it but if you don't understand the basic mechanics of the game you won't get very far.

Answer 6

Depends upon the variation...
Draw and hold'em are more about reading the opponent
while the stud games are more about math.

Answer 7

a lot of it is. and also being able to read how people play to help your plays. (raising, folding, calling)
but you also have to have the right cards every once in a while.

Answer 8

Its only a game of chance and luck for sick people!

Answer 9

its for people who liek strategy