Rules and Strategy

Poker Tells Explained

Staring at the Flop
This is reliable way to determine if an average player has made his hand or not. It will save you mounds of money if you take the time to look for it and interpret it correctly. If a player continues to look at the flop, turn or river card for more then a second after it hits the table then that player has missed their hand. They keep staring at the board attempting to make something out of nothing. Bet with confidence! Usually a player who quickly glances at the board and then immediately directs their attention elsewhere has made their hand and is already jumping to make their next move.

An Immediate Call
Any player who immediately calls your bet almost always has a weak hand. Their quick bet is intended to intimidate you and intimidation is often a sign of weakness. This player wants you to think that they have absolutely no doubt calling your bet. But if they were really that strong shouldn’t they be raising instead of just calling? Consider betting more in the next round because this is what they were trying to prevent.

Acting Out of Turn
When a player acts out of turn or “jumps the gun” they probably have a strong hand. New players often struggle containing their excitement when they have the nuts and this excitement causes them to bet before the action gets to them. Safely assume that this player has a very strong hand. A related tell is when a player asks members of the table “whose turn is it?” or any attempt to temporarily increase the momentum of the game. A player intending on folding usually does not care if the action takes a few extra seconds to get to them. Excitement causes impatience and an impatient player will always loose.

Coming to Attention
Have you ever seen a player suddenly sit up from a slouched position or come to an increased level of attention? When this happens that player was dealt something they like. This is especially true for tight players on a long bad luck streak. It becomes even more apparent late in a long game. Once that player gets a high pocket pair their mannerisms suddenly change they start to focus and get ready to act.

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Facial Expression
Again, many pros try to disguise their entire face by wearing a cap and looking downward. This is to avoid the classic stare-down that poker pros are famous for. They may try to study your face for nervousness (detecting a weak hand), or even look for repetitive characteristics like a body "tic". You may have obvious unhappiness in your face when your hand is weak, and conversely, you may show a contrasting show of confidence when your hand is strong.

Weak is Strong/Strong is Weak
In its most simplistic form, this usually applies to novice players but frequently applies to pros as well. Basically, players like to be actors, and when they have a monster hand they tend to look disinterested. For example: "Oh, is it my turn to act" or "Oh I guess I will play these cards". Alternatively, a player increasing the level of his voice while raising the pot, and trying to look intimidating.. may be running a bluff.

Anxiety
Anxiety typically occurs in people when they are confronted, or anticipating confrontation. Psychologists call this the "Fight or Flight" stimulus response, which links back to the days when we were cavemen/cavewomen. Physical changes happen including flexing of muscles, eye pupil dilation, palpitating heart rate, dry throat. In poker, when someone has a big hand they are typically ready for confrontation and can exhibit some of these characteristics. You may see the chest expanding abnormally, or you may notice the players voice become slightly higher as he makes a comment. Some of the top players in the game will stare at the vein on the top-side of your face for blood pressure changes. During a bluff, the player may demonstrate anxiety, but if he knows he will fold the hand if re-raised (non-confrontational end) may look quite comfortable.

Glance at Chips
Again, relating to the eyes. It is common for players to quickly glance at their chips if they connect with the board after a Flop. This may be a subconscious reaction, but the player is already planning his attack.

Peeking Hole Cards on Flop
Some players will take another look at their hole cards when, for example, the board is showing a potential 3 card flush draw. Typically, the player is looking to see if one of his cards is connecting, because he remembers only that the two cards are different suits.

Chip Stacking
When you first sit down at a table, study the way the players stack their chips. Although it is a generalization, loose aggressive players typically maintain unorganized/sloppy stacks, while tight conservative players keep well organized/neat stacks.