10 Essential Texas Hold’em Moves: The Soul Read

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Arved Klöhn Pokerlistings Author
  • Fact Checked by: PokerListings
  • Last updated on: January 17, 2025

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Winning at poker isn’t all about fundamentals.

There are a handful of special moves that, when mastered, can make the difference between winning a little, and winning a lot.

In this 10-part beginner poker strategy series we’re going to show you exactly how to use these powerful poker moves to make more money.

Today we’ll explain the truth about soul reads. What might look like a supernatural deduction akin to a fortune teller gazing into a crystal ball is actually a well-thought-out series of observations that lead to the correct decision.

We’ll show you how to make those big call downs with ace-high or bottom pair. It’ll not only impress the other players in the game, it’ll make you more money too.

How to Make a “Soul Read” in Poker

The What: When people talk about making a soul read they’re referring to making a correct, yet very difficult decision, and doing it with a confidence that goes above and beyond the available info in the hand.

The When: The big call or the huge fold might be the hallmark of the soul read but really it’s a process that’s been going on from the very beginning of the hand. It begins as soon as you start assembling the pieces of the puzzle.

The Where: Soul reads can be made at any time in any poker game. When you nail your opponent on exactly what he’s holding and why he’s making certain actions, you are reading his soul.

The Who: To make a true soul read you need to know your opponent inside and out. What seems like an impossible deduction to the rest of the table is often possible because of what you know about your opponent and the history you’ve shared.

Soul Reads Start With Observation

Understanding how to read souls is especially important because it relies on one of the most important skills in poker: Observation.

Poker is a game of information, and the winners are the ones who collect the most and assemble it the best to make correct decisions.

You must observe everything your opponents do, whether you’re in the hand or not. Seeing how someone plays their draws or how they behave when they flop the nuts is crucial to making that huge read when it really counts.

When you can make observations and compare that data to what you already know about your opponent’s playing tendencies, you’re ready to take the first step towards soul-reading.

Example:
You open-raise to 2.5 big blinds with K Q in late position. After the flop comes Q 7 2 , you notice your opponent’s betting pattern doesn’t match how he usually plays strong top-pair hands. You trust your observation, call down his turn and river bets, and your read proves correct when he shows a busted draw.

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Read Hands Before You Can Read Souls

The easiest way to think about hand-reading in poker is to break down all possible hands into broad groups. Those groups are called “ranges.”

A range of hands contains all the card combinations with which a player would make the same actions.

For example, bottom set and top two pair are both strong hands and would fall into most players’ value-betting ranges. Ace-high and complete air, meanwhile, would be found in their bluffing ranges.

Remember, different players have different ranges. Top pair is enough for some players to get their whole stacks in with, while a good player would have no trouble laying down two-pair in the right spot.

Hands can be broken down into four basic ranges:

  • Monster Hands and the Nuts: These are hands that your opponent deems strong enough to bet or raise with, and has no problem getting all-in with. For most players a set or better is a monster.
  • Made Hands with Showdown Value: These are top-pair type hands that your opponent believes stand a strong chance of being the best hand but are probably not strong enough to play for stacks.
  • Draws: Flush draws, open-enders and combo draws that have a good chance of becoming the best hand but are not yet made.
  • Bluffs and Air: Hands that have no chance of winning at showdown.

Once you can reliably put your opponent on a range you’ll be able to make vastly superior decisions at the poker table.

Example:

You are in the small blind holding 9 8 against a single raiser. You call, and the flop comes 7 6 2 . You check-raise, noticing your opponent hesitates before calling. On the turn 2 , your read tells you his range skews toward top-pair hands that are wary of the paired board. When he checks back the river, you decide on a small value bet with your completed flush. Your observation of his hesitation and betting patterns guided the correct line.

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What Questions Should You Ask for a Soul Read

There’s no shortcut to perfect hand-reading but there are a number of basic questions you should always be able to answer. Ask yourself these questions when you’re deciphering your opponent’s actions:

  • What kind of player is he? Is your opponent loose or tight? Passive or aggressive?
  • Is he playing too many hands? The easiest way to tell if someone’s loose or tight is to watch how often they’re putting money in the pot. If someone is playing more than 20% of hands it’s safe to say they’re on the loose side. 
  • Is he calling or betting/raising? If a player is constantly playing hands but you can’t remember the last time they bet or raised, it’s safe to label them a passive calling station. If a player is always taking the lead with bets and raises, label them aggressive.
  • What position is he in? Position is huge in poker and most people know it. The later the position the wider the range. The reverse is also true so give more respect to raises coming from early position.

Max ‘Decay’ Lykov Defies All Poker Logic

If you still think soul reading is just an old wives tale, the stuff of legend, check out this video of WSOP bracelet winner Max Lykov. The Russian defies all logic and makes an enormous call down with king high. And he does it with confidence.

Refining Your Soul Reads

Soul reads become even more valuable as you progress to higher-stakes games and encounter tougher opponents. Relying purely on a “gut feeling” can lead to expensive mistakes, so you need a systematic approach that merges careful observation with sound theory.

Merging Study with Table Awareness

By combining modern strategies with live observation, you can refine your ability to pinpoint an opponent’s range. Off-table studies involving solver work and hand simulations can show you theoretically balanced moves, but your in-game awareness—how a player physically reacts or adjusts bet sizing—will help you break that balance and spot profitable opportunities. A well-rounded soul reader uses both mathematics and intuition to gain an edge.

In some situations, a close-to-GTO approach might dictate a call, but your real-time read of an opponent’s over-bet on a non-threatening river card could tilt the decision in favor of folding or raising instead. That subtle difference can turn a marginal call into a confident soul read.

Exploiting Predictable Range Patterns

Many players at mid to high stakes still maintain predictable patterns when it comes to value bets, semi-bluffs, and outright bluffs. Paying close attention to timing tells, bet sizing, and how they handle pressure on later streets can provide insight into whether they are balanced or skewed in one direction. If you notice a pattern—like betting large only with premium hands—then taking a well-timed stand or laydown based on that pattern can look like a godlike soul read, when in reality it’s the outcome of acute analysis and pattern recognition.

FAQ

What is a soul read?

A soul read is a moment in poker when a player makes an extremely accurate decision, such as a big call or an unlikely fold, based on meticulous observation of an opponent’s habits, tendencies, and possible ranges.

How does observation factor into soul reading?

Observation is critical to a successful soul read. By noticing everything from betting patterns and timing tells to an opponent’s general playing style, you collect information that can help you draw more precise conclusions about their range.

Are GTO concepts important for soul reads?

GTO concepts can be very useful because they help you understand a balanced strategy. However, a soul read often involves deviating from purely balanced play, relying on specific tells and opponent tendencies you’ve observed in real time.

Should beginners attempt soul reads?

Beginners should focus on mastering basic fundamentals and range analysis first. Over time, as they become more familiar with patterns and tendencies, they can start using more advanced skills to make difficult reads.

How do I refine my soul reading skills against unknown players?

When facing unknown opponents, stick to standard ranges and watch for clues in how they bet and react to board textures. Over multiple hands, you’ll collect enough data to make better judgments.

Why are ranges so important for a soul read?

Ranges provide a structured way to group potential hands your opponent could hold. By eliminating impossible hands and focusing on the most likely possibilities, you make better decisions and set the foundation for accurate reads.

What happens if my read goes wrong?

Even the best poker players make incorrect reads. If it happens, review the hand away from the table. Assess whether you picked up valid signals or if you misinterpreted them. Adapt and adjust your strategy in future sessions.

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