Even before we discuss how to become a poker shark, we should define the term used, because not everyone is familiar with such specific terms. So, in this article I will explain what features and qualities make a poker player a poker shark, and I will guide you on the way of becoming one.

Let us start with what we already know. Everyone knows the two words used in the combination poker shark, but what do they mean together? Do they have an additional meaning if used in the context of gambling?

Let us see. If you want a definition of the term poker shark, it would sound like this: a poker shark is a very experienced player. He looks for the fishes at the poker table and usually takes their money/chips away. From this short definition we can conclude a few things: a poker shark is a very good player who knows when to act, which table to sit at, and he knows how to play his cards. As you can see from the definition, he recognizes beginners in an instant and sits down at their table to take their money away. These would be the basic characteristics of a poker shark.

Contrary to the name, a poker shark does not have to be an aggressive player; his main goal is to profit from the other players’ weaknesses and take their money. A poker shark must be a very good poker player, and must also have a very good capacity to observe tells, and draw conclusions from what he has observed. Now that you know what a poker shark is, let us see how you can become one!

As you can see, a poker shark has many qualities developed over the time. As a conclusion, becoming a poker shark is not a short process, but it is possible. Let us now focus on the basic steps! First, a person who wants to become a poker shark should play a lot of poker. The essential thing is to have a lot of experience in a certain variety of poker, and he should always play that variety of poker.

So, the poker shark wannabe should specialize on one type of poker, because one can normally be good only at one kind of poker, not all of them. This is one of the most important things, to be an experienced player. Being an experienced player is only a first step in becoming a poker shark; let us talk about the next steps.

The wannabe poker shark should be a good observer. It is really important to have a distributive attention in this case. The other players should not even notice that they are observed, or they will start to act unnaturally. You should be able to observe the small movements a player makes. You should see the shine in his eye when he has good cards, the way he plays with his chips when he has good cards; but you should be able to notice the difference between the ways he plays with his chips when he has a small poker hand. While observing all these tells while you make the best decisions regarding your cards.

Now you should understand why you should have a distributive attention if you want to be a poker shark. Having a distributive attention is not enough! Based on the small things you have observed during a game you should be able to draw conclusions on the player. This is not easy, and you need a lot of experience to be able to draw the correct conclusions!

A poker shark must be a very skilled person, because he has to make a lot of decisions in a really short period of time. Just think it through: he has to observe the game, the behavior of the other players and should play his cards in the best way. And for all this he has only a few minutes, and the process will start over again in a few moments.

After we have discussed what a poker hark is and what you have to do to become one, let us see the playing style of a poker shark. Many people think that a poker shark is an aggressive player, based maybe on the word shark from the name. This is the biggest mistake one could make! A poker shark is not an aggressive player at all! He does not want to be remarked, because once you know about him, you will not act naturally, and ruin all his plans. He usually does not make sudden moves; he raises the pot with only a small amount of money, because he does not want to scare off the other players. He is a very patient person, and has a well formed eye for beginners. Be sure that a poker shark will choose a table where the most players are beginners, because he can recognize beginners in an instant. He might not win every game while he plays, but be sure that he will win a lot of money during a night of poker playing.

Now you know everything you should know about a poker shark.

Let us sum it up: he is a very experienced poker player with great observing and deducting qualities. Also, he is patient, and knows when to act, but most of all knows how to act!

For all those wannabe poker players: learn a single variety of poker very well, practice it as much as you can and start observing people only after you are a really good poker player. If you learn and observe in the same time, you will waste a lot of money, so you should better take it step by step, and take all the time you need, because the investment will return!

As a final suggestion: do not try to become a poker shark overnight! Take your time and learn and observe as much as you can, you will see it will be worth it!

Good luck!

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by Carolyn Shorter