Gaining proficiency in bluffing can make you a more unpredictable and dangerous player at the poker table, which will ultimately increase your winnings. Recognizing Trends & Patterns in Betting. Recsatata kingognizing the betting habits and tendencies of your rivals is an important part of reading them. For example, if an opponent consistently raises pre-flop with strong hands, you can use this information to make informed decisions about how to play against them. Also, you can learn a lot about an opponent's hand strength and confidence by observing how frequently they raise, fold, or place bets.