11

Aug

A Selection of Great Poker Tells to Help Improve your Game

1. Player Looks at Chips
A player who looks at his or her chips immediately after seeing the flop has hit something on the flop and is about to bet. Keep your eyes on the other player/s when the flop comes, not the flop. If you are first to act this is valuable info. Only bet with a good hand here, it’s likely that you are getting called or re-raised.
   
2. The Sigh or Shrug
Poker players love to act. Watch out for a player who sighs and/or shrugs and then just calls your bet or raises. This almost always means he or she has a strong hand but is trying to act weak. Beware of the sigh!
    
3. Trembling Hands
Watch a player’s hands as he bets and puts his chips out. If they are shaking or trembling there’s a good chance he’s got a monster hand and is very excited. Many beginners mistake this as a bluff, but it’s almost always the opposite.
     
4. Staring at the Flop
When a player stares at the flop for a period of time and appears to be thinking, chances are he did not hit the flop but he might have a draw. He’s trying to figure out if there is any connection to his hand or determine what he needs to make his straight or flush.
     
5. Weak Means & Strong, Strong Means Weak
It’s all about acting and trying to throw you off. The more aggressive and confident a player seems during a hand, the more likely it is that his hand is weak. Are they slamming the chips down when they bet and pronouncing “RAISE” loudly? Or are they smoothly sliding their chips in without saying anything? Acting weak may mean a strong hand, acting strong may mean a weak hand.
   
6. Posture / Body Language
Many players will let you know just how interested they are in the hand by their body language or posture. Players interested in playing the hand show better posture, sit closer to the table and generally seem more alert to the hand and action. A player who is slumped over or leaning back in their chair comfortably, are not all that interested in the hand and most likely have nothing worth playing. Bet into the latter and watch them fold!

7. Nervousness
If you watch poker on TV you will often see professional players ask their opponent’s questions during a hand. They are trying to get a sense of whether the player is nervous or calm. Someone who is calm, is confident in their hand. Look for a genuine smile or laugh. If the person stutters or sounds or looks nervous, there’s a chance he or she is weak or bluffing.
    
8. Double-Checking Hole Cards
The flop or turn comes and there are now 2 spades on the table. If your opponent double checks his hole cards, chances are he does not have the flush yet. He’s checking to see if one of his cards gives him the draw. A player with 2 cards of the same suit is more likely to remember them, and not have to double check.
     
9. Messy/Neat Chip Stack
How a player stacks their chips can say a lot about their play. Neatly or perfectly stacked chips probably means the player is more conservative and less likely to bluff. A player who is careless with their chips, may be more aggressive and likely to play weaker hands. Also pay attention to the way they dress - look for conservativeness compared to sloppiness.