Top Ten Poker Tells : Poker Strategies, Theories, and Tactics

What is a Poker Tell? A tell is any habit, behavior, or physical reaction, that gives other players more information about your hand. The following are tips supplied to PokerTop10 by the pros, and can apply against novice or advanced players. Remember, in poker there are many contradictions and exceptions to the rule. Also, experienced pros will give out false tells to fool players.

1. Watch the Eyes
This is why many pros wear sunglasses or visors/caps when playing, they know that the eyes rarely lie. For example, many players can't help but stare at big hole cards, so their length of time peeking is longer. Conversely, if a player is looking to steal the pot, he may look to his left to see if the remaining players, who haven't yet acted, have quickly glanced at their cards and are likely to fold. Another example, a player may try to ask you questions about your hand, knowing that people rarely can "look someone straight in the eyes" while being dishonest.

2. 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.

3. 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.

4. 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.

5. Trembling Hands
Also, a byproduct of anxiety, beware of a player whose hands are shaking, this nervousness can represent a big hand.

6. 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.

7. 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.

8. Repetitive Betting Patterns
Usually the most revealing tells are based on the way a player habitually bets during particular situations. For example, maybe the player always checks when he has made the nuts, or a player may regularly fold after being re-raised.

9. Body Posture/Attitude
Some players show obvious changes in their posture based on their attitude/hand strength. For instance, you may notice their shoulders drop/slump when they are not confident (weak hand). Conversely, you may notice the player is very attentive and sitting in an erect position when he has strength. You may also notice that a player who bluffs a lot, leans forward in a confrontational way... remember Strong is Weak!

10. 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.

Thanks, these tells will be useful for me

Paulenas wrote:Thanks, these tells will be useful for me

By the way, trembling hands often is a result of winning a big hand before that

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.

This is very very important in real poker tournaments. But you have to sit down at a table for some time untill you can see how a player acts and only then you can decide what he's got.

Those are great general guidelines and will come in useful, particularly to players looking to get ahead at the tables.

As James pointed out, do be aware that these are by no means hard and fast rules but a general guideline. Those who are serious enough about their poker will train themselves hard in a bid to give as little away as possible. Though it's difficult not to show any emotion, if you can give off the wrong signals, you can be one step ahead of your opponents which is the difference between a good, solid player and a great one.

Good luck everyone.

Great tips but I think most of us play internet poker so these are worthless but thanks anyway

Internet poker alone eh? Trust me, you don't know what you're missing

Cobalt wrote:Those are great general guidelines and will come in useful, particularly to players looking to get ahead at the tables.

As James pointed out, do be aware that these are by no means hard and fast rules but a general guideline. Those who are serious enough about their poker will train themselves hard in a bid to give as little away as possible. Though it's difficult not to show any emotion, if you can give off the wrong signals, you can be one step ahead of your opponents which is the difference between a good, solid player and a great one.

Good luck everyone.

Yes, totally agree! Those who can hide their emotions or give wrong and misleading signals are one step ahead at a table. Especially if other players are not pros.

Leadas wrote:Great tips but I think most of us play internet poker so these are worthless but thanks anyway

You're playing only internet poker?
Wow, you're missing a lot, man!

live poker is much more fun than any online poker tournament even if it has 1 or 10 million guaranteed. LIVE poker is REAL poker don`t miss it...table talk, fun, tells, real chips, real money....

N.Tamosauskas wrote:live poker is much more fun than any online poker tournament even if it has 1 or 10 million guaranteed. LIVE poker is REAL poker don`t miss it...table talk, fun, tells, real chips, real money....

Where did You try it? :huh:

homegames with friends and other poker players from our city

Online poker isn't real poker...

noone wrote:Online poker isn't real poker...

LOL 4 me online poker is real poker. And I love this game ))

online poker for me - is like a breath of fresh air , when im sitting like now , here in england . i havent got opurtunity to play it with my friends , becouse there isnt many poker lovers. in online - you can find lot of them . But ofcourse - 1st place i wouold always give to the real poker. by the way .... by the way - didnt we started not offtopic?