Knowing Your Table Image

Knowing Your Table Image and Changing Your Game Advice from Andy Bloch

How much does your image matter?

Well, having played on television a lot and I know people have watched me and seen me on TV, most of the players have, I do have a built-in image. I know that, and people will react to that differently. For some people, it means that they will try to come over the top of me, and some people will just be afraid of me. I can use that to my advantage and be able to run over the people who I think are gonna let me run them over, and stay away from the people who are just going to run over me.

How do you gain the power at the table?

I gain the power at the table by playing a strong game and not being afraid. Being willing to call people's bluffs when I have marginal hands. Calling on the river with ace-high, and winning, that gives you a lot of power later on at the table. You know people are going to be afraid of you, they are going to be afraid to bluff you and that means that you are going to be able to win pots at the showdown, because people aren't going to be able to bluff you. It also gives you more of an opportunity to bluff them.

What would you consider your playing style: aggressive, conservative, or a combination of the two?

I would say in between, and I switch gears a lot. Generally I try play a solid but very aggressive, tenacious game. Once I am in a pot, I'm going to enter a pot with a lot of substandard hands. I am going to play a lot of suited connectors and that kind of thing, don't get me wrong. Some people will think that I am playing too loose, and some people will think that I am playing too tight. I have a strategy that I have developed with computers, and I try to follow that, pretty much. I will adjust it based on the tenor of the table. If I think I can steal more, I will steal more. If I think I can steal less, I will steal less.

And do you think that is what makes someone a good player: being able to change gears and adapt?

Yes, you have to be able to change gears at a table. You have to be able to deal with the Internet style of players. They are going to act fact, and they are going to be pushing all-in a lot, and you have to be able to play against those players who are going to play tight and conservative, you will have to be able to read them. You have to be able to switch gears, especially in the big tournaments, because at the start, people are playing one style, and then later on, especially when you get closer to the money, people are going to completely change.

What do you think about the explosion of Internet poker?

The explosion of Internet poker is a great thing. It's a great game to play, and especially online, because you get in so many more hands per hour. That aspect of the game makes it more fun. It's more fun to be face-to-face with someone, but if you could combine the two, get the speed of Internet poker with the interaction face-to-face poker, that would be a great thing. They have some speed poker tournaments with shuffle machines or two dealers, that kind of thing. To me, that sounds exciting!