Obtaining a “Read” on Online Poker Players

Dec. 10, 2008 - PRLog -- The ability to “read” your opponent in the game of poker can be a key determinant of winning and losing.  When applying this theory to online play, poker players must get creative in interpreting their opponents’ cues using online interfaces. Team members at User Centric, a Chicago-based user experience consulting firm, take a look at how online poker avatars might provide behavioral insight into the competition.  The article also discusses how online poker sites might enhance the features and functions of avatars during game play.

Excerpt from article:

In the gaming world, avatars are used as physical representations in the virtual world.  Avatars provide an extra layer of entertainment for gamers and allow gamers to embellish their gaming identities…

Similar to other gaming environments, many online poker sites use avatars to represent the player.  On sites like Full Tilt Poker, players can choose from a variety of avatars, from different humans, animals, and even fictional or inanimate objects.  

However, the motives for selecting an avatar in online poker games may be quite different from other online games.   Do players select an avatar that suits their poker style (e.g., selecting an ATM machine because the player is a loose player) or do players select avatars to induce opponents to make incorrect assumptions about the player and their style of play that equate to positive gains, whether it be play chips or real money?  From a strategic vantage point, a poker player may select a specific type of avatar to suggest a loose style of play when, in fact, the player’s style of play is tight and aggressive.

Visit http://www.usercentric.com/news/poker for full article.

About User Centric, Inc.
User Centric is a global user experience consulting firm that researches people’s interaction with products and the overall user experience. We believe that user experience is an integral part of an organization’s brand. We apply our expertise to projects involving handhelds, web sites, software, medical devices, print, packaging, and telephony services. Our services include user research, user interface design consulting, information architecture, usability testing, user interface evaluations, and eye tracking. User Centric is a founding member of the UXalliance (www.uxalliance.com), an international network for user experience.  Learn more about User Centric at http://www.UserCentric.com.

# # #

User Centric is a global user experience consulting firm that focuses on improving user experience. Our services include usability testing, user interface design consulting, information architecture, user interface evaluations, and eye tracking.