Who doesn't wish they had X-ray glasses, not just to allow them to spy on nearby colleagues, but also to see the cards at the poker table? Science isn't expected to provide any help in the next few years, but we can, in fact, get an indication from players as to what they might have. We call these "indications tells".
A tell is a conscious or unconscious signal, for instance, a gesture or the way someone looks, that reveals some information about the opponent's hand. A traitorous twitch of the eyebrow might reveal a bluff.
A poker table is teeming with tells. All you need to do is to look closely to see them. This thread will help you out by detailing some common tells that players have.
The unconscious tells...............
There are two types of tells: an unconscious tell and a deliberate tell. An unconscious tell is one that somebody makes when he feels unobserved, or does not know he is doing it. An example is covering the mouth with his hand, particularly if done frequently. This can be an indication that he does not have a strong hand.
A deliberate tell, on the other hand, is where he intentionally tries to convey something. He may tell you a story, so to speak, and you must figure out whether what he is saying is true or not. We'll cover deliberate tells in the next chapter.
We'll be covering the unconscious tells first. We all have our little giveaways: if we're nervous, we run our hand through our hair; some of us wiggle our feet or press our limbs together. An unconscious tell may be something else, such as the nature of your clothing.
THE FIRST IMPRESSION
What a person wears also reveals much about him. Is your opponent a wild daredevil or a silent wall flower? This can give you an indication of his playing style.
The way he stacks his chips may also be of note. If carefully sort them, you are usually facing a conservative player who doesn't make crazy plays. If the chips are unorganized, he more likely varies his play and is not afraid to take risks.
BODY LANGUAGE
Quite a few players' posture betrays the nature of their cards. An unconscious change in their sitting position, such as leaning forward, likely indicates a strong hand. With a weak hand they often show less body tension, for example, having hanging shoulders.
NERVOUSNESS
Many think that nervousness is a sign of a weak hand. If the nervousness is in fact an act, then all too often the player is holding a monster.
Imitations of real nervousness are done badly. It is usually greatly exaggerated and you can easily detect when someone is really nervous.
Should an opponent act nervous in a critical game situation, this is usually an indication of a strong hand.
FLAT RESPIRATION
A player's breathing pattern can be a very meaningful tell. His breathing changes are almost never intentional. The closer you are to the player, the better this tell will work for you. Shallow breathing, or an attempt to avoid breathing loudly is a sign of a weak hand.
THE CALLING-REFLEX
Bluffers will try everything to try appear as normal as possible. The reason for this is known as the "calling-reflex".
Inexperienced players, in particular, like to see a showdown whereby they can look for signals that might give away their opponent's hand in the future.
Nearly all bluffers, therefore, instinctively try to remain as calm and inconspicuous as possible.
HAND IN FRONT OF THE MOUTH
If someone has concealed his mouth with his hand, he often holds a weak hand - he wants to hide his emotions. In a sense, he does not want his expression to betray his hand.
The same is true for a player who is reluctant to glance at you: he is worried that his eyes might indicate he is afraid.
THE QUICK GLANCE AT THE CHIPS
This is probably the most valuable unconscious tell. If a player quickly looks at his chips then looks away, he probably wants to bet. Alternately, he might also take a quick look at his opponent's chips. It is important that he does not feel he's being under observation.
THE QUICK GLANCE AT THE CARDS
Particularly for beginners, this is a reliable tell. The tell here is an unconscious one, brief look at the player's own cards. If, for example, the flop brings 3 hearts and the player looks at his cards, it is unlikely he has the flush.
This is because with an off-suit hand, a beginner usually takes no notice of the suits at first glance. Only with a suited hand will they remember the suit. Thus you can often assume here that they have at most one heart.
WHEN SOMEONE IS NICE
If an opponent acts friendly towards you after he bets, it is probably a bluff. He does not want a personal confrontation with you and you should concentrate instead on the hand.
On the other hand, a friendly player who suddenly becomes unfriendly is more likely to want you to call his bets.
Another tell is the grin: someone who is trying to look serious and involuntarily exposes a smile most likely holds a monster. A player with a natural smile tends to have a good hand, rather than those who force a smile.
PROTECTING THE CARDS
As one would guard a treasure, so do many players guard a good starting hand. They briefly look at their cards, conceal them quickly and cover them with their hands.
SHOWING THE CARDS
Inexperienced players will often show their hand to a friend or playing partners. Here, they most likely tend to hold strong hands.
There are two reasons for this: first, the person wants to show that he is a good player. He can only do this with a legitimate hand, probably a made hand, that the other inexperienced player can recognize as such. Secondly, those who look at the cards might betray a bluff to the opponent.
A QUICK DECISION
If someone looks at their hand and bets immediately, then, with inexperienced players, this is a good indication of an honest play. Before a bluff, people will usually take some time to consider whether they think it'll work. Moreover, they'll try to avoid displaying any remarkable action, so as not to arouse distrust.
GRASPING THE GLASS
Often when an opponent makes a bluff, they will reach for their (beer?) glass. This is to try and act as normal as possible , but should be instantly noticeable to you.
You can also draw conclusions about someone's hands from the way some people smoke their cigarettes. Exhaling a large smoke cloud is an indication that they have a strong hand, since they are not worried about you calling. If he tries to breathe out as inconspicuously as possible this usually indicates a bluff. This tell is a little vague, however, and should be used in conjunction with others.
HOW SOMEONE BETS
The way someone puts their chips into the middle of the table can reveal information about their hand. If he has a strong hand and wants to encourage calls from opponents, he will not put on much of a show. He does not want to frighten anybody and will either say nothing or casually announce the value of his chips.
A player with a weak hand behaves differently. He will appear optimistic or announce the bet in an authoritarian manner. Isn't this odd, considering this draws attention to the bluffer? Nevertheless, this is understandable, since he is trying to chase the opponent away by appearing to be in control of the hand. Only after will he try to appear inconspicuous.
A further signal is exaggerating the betting of the chips. Someone who emphasizes pushing the chips in the direction of the opponent or even throwing the chips in, probably wants to intimidate. Good indications are a stretched lower forearm and an extension of the fingers.
Conscious tells I found out in 1978, the poker legend Mike Caro wrote:
Most people can not live how they would like. As children, they had to do homework, which they hated, [...] As adults, they must live with people they don't like, pretend to feel fine when miserable, act as though they have things under control, despite being insecure and anxious.
These people are actors. They pretend to be a person they are not. At the poker table, they operate subconsciously under the motto: "If I do not adjust myself, people will see my true nature."
What does a player do with a strong hand? Many will try to act weak. What is a bluff? An attempt to appear strong. If you are good at it, the opponents will not notice you are acting. If they are good at it and understand the theatrics, you have a problem.
Fortunately, many players are bad actors. In order to avoid nasty surprises, there is a simple, basic method for attempting to recognise deceit: your opponent tells you a story. Review not only what he is doing now, but what he has done previously. Then ask yourself: does it make sense?
ACTING WEAK
Pretend weakness can manifest itself as a sigh, drooping of the shoulders or brooding. People who pretend to be weak have a strong hand. They want to encourage a call or even a raise from opponents through their deceptive mannerisms.
Someone who consciously looks away during a hand is usually dangerous. He acts as though the hand does not matter to him in order to provoke action. This happens often when the flop is dealt. A glance at the flop and then a quick look to the side are an indication of strength.
You will see this tell in various forms, with beginners more prone to exaggeration. The situation is similar when people act as though they want to throw their hand away when it is not their turn.
Most players make their decision within a few seconds. If someone broods for a very long time before finally making a large raise, they want to pretend it was a very tough decision. Normally, you can sniff out strong hands and monsters.
ACTING STRONG
If you can correctly use tells to identify faked weakness, you can save a lot of money. Also profitable, but more risky, is identifying faked strength.
Sometimes a correct tell and a brave call can bring you money from hands you would never have considered calling with.
Unlike players with strong hands, who want to encourage you to put chips in the centre, players with weak hands will want to discourage it. Here are the best signs:
THREATENING WITH THE CHIPS
If someone is reaching for his chips whilst it is an opponent's turn, it is usually an intimidation attempt. On the other hand, if a player who constantly plays with his chips suddenly stops when it is your turn, this is usually a sign of strength.
STARING
Players who make penetrating, rigid glances at their opponent do not usually hold a dangerous hand. The signal "I've watched you closely and know what you're doing" is often a sign of weakness.
A LONG LOOK AT THE CARDS
If an opponent takes an especially long look at his cards or the board, he is mostly playing a weak hand. If he takes a long time before betting, he is probably on a bluff.
A strong tell is an opponent repeatedly looking at their starting hand after making a bet and then you reaching for your chips. Here you can expect a bluff.
PREMATURELY CLAIMING THE POT
Players with a strong hand will be hoping until the last moment that their opponent continues with the hand. If they want to terminate the action rashly, for example, by saying things like "I'll show as well", or by 'laying claim' to the pot in the middle, he'll usually have a weak hand.
Summary Tells are not always as clear as we would like them to be. Thus, you will not only want to look for one, but for several from your opponent. If they all match, then it can make your decision easier.
If someone, for instance, quickly looks at his starting hand, then hides and protects it with his hands, glimpses his chips, makes a raise and fumbles with his glass, seemingly bored, you can get away from a strong or very strong hand.
It becomes complicated when tells contradict each other. Even for this, there is a solution, however. Often, only one aspect of the player's actions will be conscious. Find out which tell is an act and go with the opposite of what the player wants you to do!
I wish you good luck with these tips maybe you can use them at home games as well as big tourney
Dozn01 appears to know his stuff. One thing i can say is take all of this into account but more often than not go with your gut.
Figuring out all of these things away from the table can give you a nice edge. But every player is different and thus without any more information about the player having the wrong read can be just as costly as the profit you make from having the right read.
Just paying attention is your best weapon. Any time you find your mind wandering, be it online or live its probably close to the time you should decide to walk away from the table.
Posted by SCDossett: This was a very well written informative post.
Dozn01 appears to know his stuff. One thing i can say is take all of this into account but more often than not go with your gut.
Figuring out all of these things away from the table can give you a nice edge. But every player is different and thus without any more information about the player having the wrong read can be just as costly as the profit you make from having the right read.
Just paying attention is your best weapon. Any time you find your mind wandering, be it online or live its probably close to the time you should decide to walk away from the table.
Posted by dozn01: many thanks took me 2 hours to do this thread
I'm not sure but I suspect that you have copied & pasted this from somewhere ... I you don't, great effort, you are a well-known man in your town's casino
Posted by dozn01: many thanks took me 2 hours to do this thread
I can tell you put some work into this.
I have browsed through mike caros book but not read the whole thing. My flatmate had a copy and i would pick it up every now and then.
Getting to the point that you were able to have most of the skills you have outlined as second nature would do wonders for my game. Not that i play live much. Dont have the BR to do it at my local casino.
Joined: May '08
Location: Netherlands
Age: 55 (M)
Posts: 6197
Posted by dozn01:
Posted by SCDossett: This was a very well written informative post.
Dozn01 appears to know his stuff. One thing i can say is take all of this into account but more often than not go with your gut.
Figuring out all of these things away from the table can give you a nice edge. But every player is different and thus without any more information about the player having the wrong read can be just as costly as the profit you make from having the right read.
Just paying attention is your best weapon. Any time you find your mind wandering, be it online or live its probably close to the time you should decide to walk away from the table.
Joined: May '08
Location: Netherlands
Age: 55 (M)
Posts: 6197
Posted by dozn01: believe what you want........................
I googled ''We call these "indications tells". '' Guess wot site i found with its 1st hit? No offend Mr Dozn01, but if u do a copy-paste its no problem but put down the source and dont act like u wrote down the story
Posted by dozn01: believe what you want........................
I googled ''We call these "indications tells". '' Guess wot site i found with its 1st hit? No offend Mr Dozn01, but if u do a copy-paste its no problem but put down the source and dont act like u wrote down the story
Joined: May '08
Location: Netherlands
Age: 55 (M)
Posts: 6197
Posted by dozn01:
Posted by doomdy:
Posted by dozn01: believe what you want........................
I googled ''We call these "indications tells". '' Guess wot site i found with its 1st hit? No offend Mr Dozn01, but if u do a copy-paste its no problem but put down the source and dont act like u wrote down the story
Posted by dozn01: believe what you want........................
I googled ''We call these "indications tells". '' Guess wot site i found with its 1st hit? No offend Mr Dozn01, but if u do a copy-paste its no problem but put down the source and dont act like u wrote down the story
good bluff but................. i call you
Lollll, busted
shhhhhhhhhh dont tell any1, yeah ok i did copy and paste it but it felt good when some gave me a good comment for once , and said i knew what i talkin about, i could nt put the source of the site on here cause it breaks this site rules but sorry i didnt mean to offend any1
just thought this information could be usefull, but sorry for taking the credit of writing it just give me credit for find this out for you guys ok alls good now
Joined: May '08
Location: Netherlands
Age: 55 (M)
Posts: 6197
Posted by dozn01:
Posted by doomdy:
Posted by dozn01:
Posted by doomdy:
Posted by dozn01: believe what you want........................
I googled ''We call these "indications tells". '' Guess wot site i found with its 1st hit? No offend Mr Dozn01, but if u do a copy-paste its no problem but put down the source and dont act like u wrote down the story
good bluff but................. i call you
Lollll, busted
shhhhhhhhhh dont tell any1, yeah ok i did copy and paste it but it felt good when some gave me a good comment for once , and said i knew what i talkin about, i could nt put the source of the site on here cause it breaks this site rules but sorry i didnt mean to offend any1
Joined: Dec '09
Location: United Kingdom
Age: 44 (M)
Posts: 2087
Posted by dozn01:
Posted by doomdy:
Posted by dozn01:
Posted by doomdy:
Posted by dozn01: believe what you want........................
I googled ''We call these "indications tells". '' Guess wot site i found with its 1st hit? No offend Mr Dozn01, but if u do a copy-paste its no problem but put down the source and dont act like u wrote down the story
good bluff but................. i call you
Lollll, busted
shhhhhhhhhh dont tell any1, yeah ok i did copy and paste it but it felt good when some gave me a good comment for once , and said i knew what i talkin about, i could nt put the source of the site on here cause it breaks this site rules but sorry i didnt mean to offend any1
just thought this information could be usefull, but sorry for taking the credit of writing it just give me credit for find this out for you guys ok alls good now
lolol u chancer lol took me 2 hours i was pissing myself when i seen that. Gutted i never seen this earlier
Joined: Jan '10
Location: Germany
Age: 34 (M)
Posts: 1379
hmmm, there are videos on youtube desrcibing what means any action. I test it always against the same persons and i do snap them sometimes. But that had nothing to do with the videos but with the feelings and impressions i have.
Joined: Jan '09
Location: Italy
Age: 55 (M)
Posts: 3871
Posted by doomdy:
Posted by dozn01:
Posted by SCDossett: This was a very well written informative post.
Dozn01 appears to know his stuff. One thing i can say is take all of this into account but more often than not go with your gut.
Figuring out all of these things away from the table can give you a nice edge. But every player is different and thus without any more information about the player having the wrong read can be just as costly as the profit you make from having the right read.
Just paying attention is your best weapon. Any time you find your mind wandering, be it online or live its probably close to the time you should decide to walk away from the table.
many thanks took me 2 hours to do this thread
2hours for copy-paste? I can do that in 3min mate
LLLLLLLLOOOOOOOOLLLLLLLLLL
N1 DOM
anyway, even if I have never played live, very useful post so thumbs up to Dozn as well
took me 2 hours to do this thread 
