Strategy
How Table Image Can Make Or Break An Online Poker Player
Table image is a very important element in poker that must be optimized when you play online poker tournaments. Just like the title above states, table image can make or break a poker player, it can work for or against you, depending on how aware of it you are and how much you take control of it. You must try to establish a table image that fits into the strategy you wish to apply and make sure the image you wish to develop is exactly the image you actually develop or else it will work against you.
How table image can work towards your benefit
Table image must be established early on in a poker game and it must remain consistent throughout. Depending on the strategy you wish to apply, table image can benefit you in many ways. One of the most frequently seen benefits of table image is the leverage it provides when bluffing. I dont like to bluff very often and if I do I will do it very infrequently. When I do bluff I will try to ensure before hand that I have developed a table image of a tight player who is only willing to play top hands. If you have been playing tight poker throughout the game, other players will begin to notice you only play high cards so this leaves a window of opportunity open for you if you have to bluff or semi bluff. The ideal situation would be if there has been loose play among other players at the table and the pot has grown pre flop to a nice sum. If you are in a late position and there are no signs of aggressive play, by putting in a nice raise you will encourage other players to fold, even if they have a superior hand, solely because you have a solid table image. Other players will be very reluctant to call you.
The opposite can also be true. By playing loose, limping in at every angle, you will invite other players to call you. Ideally, when you hit a monster hand, other players will not be too afraid to call a nice bet or raise which will essentially work towards your success.
How table image can work against you
If you lack consistency in the table image you portray, other players will soon become aware of it and take advantage. For example if in the above example you try this too often, sooner or later others will see your cards in a showdown or you will be forced to fold which will effect your image.
Another instance of how table image can work against you is if you are unaware of the image you portray or your perception of your table image does not match the perceptions of the other players at the table. You may think you have developed a solid table image whereas in fact other players see right through you. By bluffing in a situation like above, the chances of being called are more likely.