Poker Sharks: What are They?

Shark Definition

A Shark is a player who is very experienced, highly skilled and takes advantage of his less experienced opponents.

Poker jargon has a lot of sea-themed terms like shark (experienced, skilled player) and fish (a novice). Sharks eat the fish because they understand the game better and make smarter decisions, especially during crucial in-game situations.

Sharks know the rules and general psychology of the game and can even notice betting patterns. It’s important to know that sharks can play outside of high-stakes games. They can operate in various levels and are a dangerous foe, always hunting for an edge.

Examples of where the term ‘Shark’ is used

• In tournaments, a shark is a player that is able to hold strong positions or even dominate mid-to-late stages and one that is constantly pressuring short stacks while also working pot odds to their own advantage.
• In online poker, a shark can usually be identified by looking at their ROI or consistency in terms of winnings.
• In cash games, sharks may be more difficult to identify as they tend to lay low until they gather enough intel on their opponents and then attack.

If you want to identify sharks, some poker HUDs help you do that. However, such aids are only available in online games. If you want to spot a shark in real life, look for someone who’s aggressive, who bluffs smart and just wins more hands than others, steadily building a chip advantage.

Strategic Considerations

If you want to avoid being eaten by a shark, you need to identify them first. And even then, basic strategies don’t cut it. You need to tighten your range and avoid marginal situations against them. Generally, don’t push your luck if it seems too risky or too good to be true.

Sharks are very good at noticing patterns, so you can cut down on your bluffing and take a backseat for a little while, giving your full attention to smart, value play.

If you’re a beginner, consider this a great in-field learning opportunity. See what they do, try to understand why they do it and learn from it. If the table becomes unplayable, just leave it and try to play elsewhere where you wouldn’t have as big of a target on your back.