Learning starting hand requirements, pot odds, and position are the important basics of No-Limit Texas Hold’em.  Once you have all of the basic strategy on auto-pilot, it is time to take your game to the next level.  Observing your opponents is by far the most important skill in poker.  Using your opponent’s past playing behavior will allow you to get an accurate read on him.  Past information allows you to put your opponent on a hand and proceed accordingly in the pot.  It sounds so easy to observe your opponent but few players can actually do it effectively.  How are you supposed to properly observe your opponents while playing?  There is so much information out on the poker table and you may be overwhelmed at first.  Start by observing only one player at the table.  I would recommend observing the player directly to your right, since you will have position on him the whole time.  If you know basic strategy, you will be a player who raises pre-flop and plays his hands aggressively.  Since you are raising pre-flop most times, it makes sense to watch how your opponent plays when he calls pre-flop.

At first, pay attention to his betting patterns.  How often does he fold to a bet on the flop after calling pre-flop?  How often does he check-raise on the flop?  How often will he call a bet on the flop and then fold on the turn?  Pay very close attention to everything your opponent does after calling pre-flop.  It is not necessary to put your opponent on an exact hand every time.  You simply have to pay attention to the frequency of his play.  If he folds to a bet on the flop 90% of the time, I would suspect he has a great hand when he calls the flop bet.  If he calls a flop bet most times, he could have many weak hands on the flop.  It is up to you to pay attention and observe your opponent’s betting or calling patterns.  Over time, you will develop your ability to observe the whole table.  It takes many hours at the poker table and a lot of focus.  Force yourself to concentrate for long periods of time and you will be doing it automatically soon.  Observing your opponent in No-Limit Texas Hold’em is the most important skill you will need to win consistently.