The biggest issue that I've seen and experienced with the average (non-top) player is the ability to adapt to their opponent's style.Usually this kind of conflict comes from playing an unfamiliar face; being that's it's only two-out-of-three matches, it can prove to be difficult to really understand the basis of the opponent's decision-making.To help me with this, I've come up with a bit of a theory in how to understand and evaluate one's play-style before actually playing them. Though of course this isn't necessarily foolproof, but just to create a blueprint so to speak for an understanding of another player.Street Fighter is a very expressive game by now. With 39 (Soon to be 44) selectable characters to choose from, this leads to a lot of variety. Now more than ever, every type of personality can be well represented through character choice.This also means that players are more likely now to project their personality onto their characters. With this in mind, I've come to the conclusion that by getting a read on who the player is as a person can give you an understanding on the decisions they will make and their play-style in general before ever sitting next to them for a game.Now of course there are exceptions to this, but I think it will be appropriate to give some examples of the extremes you may encounter.If you have been in the FGC for long, you've probably encountered that player who appears to be very confident in every thing they speak of. You can read this as confidence if you like but it can also be read as: Narcissistic, Cocky, Arrogant, etc.These players tend have an aggressive, or (dare I say) disrespectful play-style. They want to make you look foolish and inferior. They will tend to pick characters that are either explosive (Cammy, Akuma, Oni) or characters that can be confusing (Blanka, Fuerte).They won't necessarily always pick those characters however. These players want to dominate you, they want to be in full control all the time and don't want to be bothered with figuring you out... they want you to figureout!Against these players, it will probably be best to be the water to their fire and be the polar opposite of what they represent.These players can be dangerous. They do not care who you are because they have already decided they are better than you. Keeping a cool head and understanding this can help you the most against them, because these players have the best chance at rattling you... unless you are 'confident' yourself.The players that tend to be soft-spoken, quiet, intelligent, or careful with their words tend to have a 'Safe' play-style. These players don't like taking chances.The less risk, the better. These players usually pride themselves on being methodical, or cerebral. Though these players can be friendly and very likable, they still 'know' they are smarter than you and want to prove it by shutting down your every attempt to play but in a passive manner.This will most likely translate to 'lame' in most's books. Character choices tend to be of those that require a higher threshold for patience (Vega, Ryu, Chunli) These are the most well prepared players that you may come across naturally given that their character choice most likely won't be top tier or cheap.They will most likely make safe, well thought out decisions based on your aggressiveness. Mirroring their play-style is the best yet hardest option here being that will take them out of their comfort zone and force them to be aggressive.Because of this, they are vulnerable to match-ups that naturally take away their option to be passive, such as Zangief against Sagat, Bison against Chunli/Guile, and Ryu against Dhalsim.Another type of person that you are certain to run into is what a lot of people refer to as the 'Scrub'. These players (no offense) won't be extremely intelligent to put it nicely.If not that, another tell is that they present themselves as easy going or carefree. These players don't tend to ever be overly upset about anything and are more concerned about having a good time or just being in the environment they are in.How this usually translates in game is that they can often make unpopular decisions (wake-up Ultra, random reversals, even just extreme lack of patience or concern with your consistency to deal with them effectively).These players can still be a threat if you don't respect them at all. It's always safe to assume they will make the worse decisions in every situation and play with a lot of caution.Though it is possible to beat them easily, if may however require you to play a bit brainlessly or 'autopilot' in order to deal with them effectively.They tend to play characters simply because of something personal (Character design, grew up playing them, or just simply their 'favorite'). So having a firm understanding of at the very least every character's main strengths and weaknesses will help you understand how to deal with them quickly and effectively. These players you will have to learn how to consistently beat if you ever dream of making it out of pools.This match is the perfect example of not assuming the worst decision making will take place at all times on your opponents behalf and how not being mentally prepared for that can hurt you in a short set:These are just the extremes of each personality and how that can translate into game-play.There of course will be exceptions and in-betweens but this is just a general blueprint.Most players play the way they do and pick the character they pick because it's honestly who they are and how they want to portray themselves.Those who pick Chun-li probably see themselves as sexy or gracious while Ryu's probably think of themselves as the main character, the best.Even Zangief players most likely think of themselves as dominant and strong.Whether it's literal of metaphoric, there is always something along those lines that go into the choices they make and therefor it can be something to use against these players.Sometimes you'll be completely wrong, but like any read it takes practice and experience. Try it out for yourself next time you find yourself in a pool with unfamiliar players and faces.Be social and understanding of people. If all else fails, at least you'll possibly have a new friend.