Explanation of Represent
Figuring out what our opponent is 'representing' is akin to estimating their potential hand range. The term 'represent' is predominantly used to identify the solid hands within the opponent's range. Therefore, we might say, 'the opponent is representing that they have made a strong connection with the river card,' but it's less common to say 'the opponent is representing a bluff.' It's also quite common to hear the phrase 'the opponent doesn't represent anything' when referring to an action that fails to align with any plausible strong hand.
In poker lingo, the term 'represent' is often shortened to 'rep.' An example of this would be the statement 'the opponent reps nothing based on their betting pattern.'
Illustration of Represent in a Statement -> Large bets generally indicate strong hands, while smaller bets are usually interpreted as signaling weaker or mid-range hands.
Incorporating Represent into Your Poker Tactics
For instance, significant bets on the river often 'represent' a polarized range of hands, suggesting that the opponent is likely holding two-pair or stronger hands. Conversely, a smaller bet might indicate a weaker top pair or second pair seeking to extract some value.
See Also