I do this every single time I play poker and I’d recommend it for any game You should adjust your game for each player on the table but you can only do this if you have information on their play. From the moment you sit down begin to note their tendencies – how they bet and how much, and the quality of the hands they show down.

Then, after some time – I’d suggest 15-20 minutes – go round the table and sum up what you know about each player. As you do this ask yourself the only question that matters: ‘How am I going to get their chips?’ Try to categorise them as tight or loose, how aggressive they are, any tells you’ve picked up and how you’ll play against them when you get in a hand with them.

This activity will confirm what you know in your conscious brain and expose any gaps in knowledge you have about certain players so you can focus on filling them in on the current hands. When playing online you can do this out loud; in the cardroom do it in your head or people get annoyed.