High stakes poker

Poker FAQ: Poker Tells and Frequently Asked Questions

What is a poker tell?

A poker tell is anything you see in a poker player that can give you clues about that player's intentions and the cards they hold. Since some or all of a poker player's cards are kept hidden during the game, tells can give you an edge. They tell you what your opponents don't want you to know.

What sort of poker tells are there?

Almost everything about a poker player can serve as a tell. How they sit and look around, how they handle cards and chips, the tone of their voice, even the way they dress and buy new chips. Many poker tells are pretty universal; that is, they show up in many players even if their personalities differ. But some poker tells are unique just as every person is unique. It follows that the more you know a person, the easier it is to recognize their tells.

How can I spot a poker tell?

Observation is the key. Before playing in a table, wait for the big blind and watch the other players in the meantime. Whenever you fold, stay as interested in the game as if you were in it. You want to watch your opponents as much as possible. When there is a showdown, remember which players had which cards. Note differences in the way people handle various hands. Any difference can be a vital clue.

What are poker tells of a strong hand?

When a poker player has a strong hand, they want others to keep betting so there would be more money in the pot (so they win more). So they try to look as non-threatening as possible. Signs may include: 1) pretending to be uninterested by looking away, 2) sighing or cursing as if they missed their hand, 3) trembling hands, due to anticipation, 4) speaking or placing chips gently.

What are poker tells of a weak hand?

If a player has a weak hand, they will either fold or keep playing hoping others will be scared enough to fold themselves. The latter is bluffing. A bluffer will try to look tough so as to (hopefully) convince you they have the best hand and fold. Signs of bluffing may include: 1) staring at cards, chips or other players for too long, 2) being unusually still and holding one's breath, 3) forcefully pushing one's chips.

What are poker tells of the different kinds of players?

This isn't hard to figure out. Usually a messy and disorganized person is just as careless about their poker game - a loose player. But a careful person plays equally careful poker - a tight player. Watch how other players carry themselves in and out of a game.

Are there any poker tells online?

Not many. All you really have are betting habits and chat, if there is any. In online poker, much of the focus is on the cards.

How can I avoid giving away poker tells?

Be as uniform as possible in the way you act. Wear sunglasses. Do not talk much with other players. But note that no one can avoid giving away tells entirely. Even the top pros have tells.

Where can I learn more about poker tells?

Read Mike Caro's "Book of Poker Tells." Then play poker as often as possible!