NutFlopper
07-16-2006, 03:03 PM
Tanner Nolan
Poker Tells 101
Non-Combat Tells
Tells which you can gain before the cards are even delt
-A player who stacks their chips neatly, won’t bluff
-A player who stacks their chips sloppy, are often to bluff, and play weak hands. Call them often, bluff less
*REMINDER: Players are often to stack their chips in the manner of their play, conservative means conservative, sloppy means sloppy.
-If a player buys his chips in a flamboyant manner, he tends to bet aggressive. call him often, bluff less
-If a player hides his gambling money, chances are hell play conservative, call him less, bluff him more.
*REMINDER: Players often play in the manner they buy chips, guarded means guarded, flamboyant means flamboyant.
-Patient players are often leaned back with their arms folded, try not to get involved with these players.
-A player is interested in a hand if he’s leaned back without his arms folded, or leaning forward.
-Players will often enter a hand with a medium-power hand after winning a big pot as a courtesy to the other players.
Sharing a Hand
Look for a player showing another person their cards
-If a player shows his hand to another person, he is generally holding a solid hand.
*Any player who bets, then shares his cards while waiting for a call is unlikely to be bluffing.
Nervousness
Tells caused by nervous players
-If a player shuffles his hand, their most likely to be on a draw.
-Shaking is caused by a release of tension, not fear. He has a solid hand, only call if the hand is solid as well.
*A trembling bet is a force to be feared.
-When a player covers their mouth, call… 2/3 of the time he is bluffing.
*In the absence of indication to the contrary, call any bettor whose hand covers their mouth.
Double-Checking
Watch him if he looks at his cards more then once.
-Double Checking a players hand is most likely a bluff. This is disguised to make it seem they are studying a powerful hand.
-If a player stares at his cards, their weak.
-When a player takes a quick peak, he may be checking to see if his low hole cards hit, or if he made a straight or flush. Chances are he didn’t, but always leave room for doubt.
-After a flop where all the cards are suited, if a foe takes a peak at his cards, he most likely doesn’t have 2 of those suits. Also, he wont have two-pair or trips, because he would remember what two cards he has.
Fearlessness
Obvious tells, but what do they mean?
-If a player has the giggles, chances are he is not bluffing.
-When a person smiles after making a bet, he is usually bluffing.
*A genuine smile means a genuine hand, a forced smile is a bluff.
- If a player releases a big cloud of smoke, he is not afraid of a call. Play if your not in doubt he’s bluffing.
-Bluffers don’t want to attract attention.
*The friendlier a player is, the more apt he is to bluff.
Glancing at Chips
Follow his eyes to his chips.
*A player glances secretly at his chips only when he’s considering a bet, and almost always because his hand improved.
-After a player makes their hand, they may glance at their chips then look away.
-It is an act if they stare at their chips, expecting you to be watching.
Sudden Interest
He looked bored, now he doesn’t.
-A posture change is a sign of strength.
-When a player is singing or talking, and suddenly stop, he is probably holding a decent hand.
-Play with these players with ultimate caution.
Tough Decisions
How long until he makes up his mind!?
-Dilemmas may be caused to ponder if the investment is worthy.
-If you want him to call a bet, do something to get attention.
-Make him suspicious, and give him an excuse to call.
Instant Reaction
He knew what he was going to do.
*If a player looks at his hand and then checks instantly, it is unlikely that he is impressed with his hand.
*If a player looks and bets instantly, it’s unlikely that he is bluffing.
-If a player instantly checks, bet into him.
-Players who create suspense and wait for the others to act, are likely trying to make a hand more then already having one.
Protecting a Hand
He wont let go of them.
*Most players unconsciously guard good cards.
Tells From Actors- Weak Means Strong
He is acting weak, but I got this feeling.
-Actors may be ones who feel are observing them or, where your hand matters.
*Disappoint any player, who, by acting weak, is seeking your call.
-Only call raise-able hands to a player that shrugs, don’t try to bluff.
-Beware of players that pretend to fold then play. Only call with a powerful hand.
-Look for any player looking away from the bet, their hands are powerful.
-Like the previous tell, if a player is looking away when the action approaches, he’s holding a strong hand.
-When a player peeks at the flop then looks away, he’s holding good cards.
-If a player who appears to be folding plays, abandon the hand.
-Again if a player looks slightly away from a pot, their sitting pretty.
-If a player takes a long time to consider a bet, then makes a larger raise, he’s holding a strong hand.
Tells From Actors- Strong Means Weak
He’s acting powerful, too powerful.
*Disappoint any player, who, by acting strong, wants you to fold.
-When a player continues to stare at a flop, he doesn’t like it. Call him often and try to bluff him away.
*Players staring at you are usually less of a threat then a player staring away.
*Players staring at their cards are usually weak.
*Players reaching for chips out of turn is usually weak.
*A player who grabs for pot prematurely is usually bluffing.
*When a player acts to spread his cards on the table (mostly in stud) it’s usually because he is bluffing.
*If a player bets and then looks back at his cards as you reach for chips, he is usually bluffing.
Exposing Cards
I just saw one of his cards, did he want me to see it?
-Showing a card intentionally is used to make you think his hand is strong then it is.
*When a player exposes a card, he doesn’t want a call.
Opening Tells
Pocket aces, boo-yah!
-Before opening with a strong starting hand, Look around the table for someone that might open for you, for instance, someone looking away.
Encouraging a Bet
Who in this hand is trying to get me to call?
-People looking away are often holding a powerhouse hand.
-People who appear to be going to pass.
-People who keep their hands off their chips.
-A long stare with no threat to call is to make the bet seem safe.
Discouraging a Bet
Who here is trying to get me to fold?
-A player staring at you, or getting ready to bet out of turn.
Betting Moves
Look at him move his bet towards the pot.
-A forceful or exaggerated bet usually means weakness.
-A gentle bet usually means strength.
-”I Bet…” is a sign of weakness.
Tricks
Similar to other tells, but different.
-When a bettor reaches for the pot but doesn’t grab it, he is luring a call.
-If a player bets as the river is exposed or, as he looks at his last draw card in stud, he is holding a strong hand.
Choosing a Seat
This isn’t musical chairs, pick the right seat.
-Sit to the left of people who play a lot of hands, but does not make raises.
*When in doubt, sit to the left of the money.
Conflicting Tells
Two opposite tells in one.
*When tells conflict, the player is acting. Determine what he is trying to make you do by his most obvious tell. Then generally do the opposite.
-Do not bet into a player who looks away as he checks.
Gaining Information
Lets expose a tell from him.
-Makes fake bets to try and lure a tell
-Reach for chips while he is prepared to bet, looks for hesitation, him double checking his cards, or an aggressive bet as weakness, if there is no hesitation expect him to have a strong hand.
Misdirected Bets
He is putting his bet in front of a player with a weak hand, Why?
-Bet into anyone that reaches across the table to bet in front of the weak players
*Misdirected bets are almost always a bluff.
The Sound of Tells
I can beat this guy blindfolded!
-“What is it to me?” is usually a sigh of strength.
-A sad tone is trying to act weak but is generally strong.
-A cheerful tone is trying to act strong,
-”I bet…” again is a sign of weakness.
-Players sigh if they have strong hands.
-If a player is humming, singing or talking, and he suddenly stops when he looks at his cards, he normally got a strong hand.
*Beware of sighs or sounds of sorrow.
*Don’t call poker clack.
This is my summerized version of Mike Caro's, "Mike Caro's: Book of Tells". It also includes pictures to help understand his explinations, and profit analaysis. I recomend this to anyone who plays live games.
Poker Tells 101
Non-Combat Tells
Tells which you can gain before the cards are even delt
-A player who stacks their chips neatly, won’t bluff
-A player who stacks their chips sloppy, are often to bluff, and play weak hands. Call them often, bluff less
*REMINDER: Players are often to stack their chips in the manner of their play, conservative means conservative, sloppy means sloppy.
-If a player buys his chips in a flamboyant manner, he tends to bet aggressive. call him often, bluff less
-If a player hides his gambling money, chances are hell play conservative, call him less, bluff him more.
*REMINDER: Players often play in the manner they buy chips, guarded means guarded, flamboyant means flamboyant.
-Patient players are often leaned back with their arms folded, try not to get involved with these players.
-A player is interested in a hand if he’s leaned back without his arms folded, or leaning forward.
-Players will often enter a hand with a medium-power hand after winning a big pot as a courtesy to the other players.
Sharing a Hand
Look for a player showing another person their cards
-If a player shows his hand to another person, he is generally holding a solid hand.
*Any player who bets, then shares his cards while waiting for a call is unlikely to be bluffing.
Nervousness
Tells caused by nervous players
-If a player shuffles his hand, their most likely to be on a draw.
-Shaking is caused by a release of tension, not fear. He has a solid hand, only call if the hand is solid as well.
*A trembling bet is a force to be feared.
-When a player covers their mouth, call… 2/3 of the time he is bluffing.
*In the absence of indication to the contrary, call any bettor whose hand covers their mouth.
Double-Checking
Watch him if he looks at his cards more then once.
-Double Checking a players hand is most likely a bluff. This is disguised to make it seem they are studying a powerful hand.
-If a player stares at his cards, their weak.
-When a player takes a quick peak, he may be checking to see if his low hole cards hit, or if he made a straight or flush. Chances are he didn’t, but always leave room for doubt.
-After a flop where all the cards are suited, if a foe takes a peak at his cards, he most likely doesn’t have 2 of those suits. Also, he wont have two-pair or trips, because he would remember what two cards he has.
Fearlessness
Obvious tells, but what do they mean?
-If a player has the giggles, chances are he is not bluffing.
-When a person smiles after making a bet, he is usually bluffing.
*A genuine smile means a genuine hand, a forced smile is a bluff.
- If a player releases a big cloud of smoke, he is not afraid of a call. Play if your not in doubt he’s bluffing.
-Bluffers don’t want to attract attention.
*The friendlier a player is, the more apt he is to bluff.
Glancing at Chips
Follow his eyes to his chips.
*A player glances secretly at his chips only when he’s considering a bet, and almost always because his hand improved.
-After a player makes their hand, they may glance at their chips then look away.
-It is an act if they stare at their chips, expecting you to be watching.
Sudden Interest
He looked bored, now he doesn’t.
-A posture change is a sign of strength.
-When a player is singing or talking, and suddenly stop, he is probably holding a decent hand.
-Play with these players with ultimate caution.
Tough Decisions
How long until he makes up his mind!?
-Dilemmas may be caused to ponder if the investment is worthy.
-If you want him to call a bet, do something to get attention.
-Make him suspicious, and give him an excuse to call.
Instant Reaction
He knew what he was going to do.
*If a player looks at his hand and then checks instantly, it is unlikely that he is impressed with his hand.
*If a player looks and bets instantly, it’s unlikely that he is bluffing.
-If a player instantly checks, bet into him.
-Players who create suspense and wait for the others to act, are likely trying to make a hand more then already having one.
Protecting a Hand
He wont let go of them.
*Most players unconsciously guard good cards.
Tells From Actors- Weak Means Strong
He is acting weak, but I got this feeling.
-Actors may be ones who feel are observing them or, where your hand matters.
*Disappoint any player, who, by acting weak, is seeking your call.
-Only call raise-able hands to a player that shrugs, don’t try to bluff.
-Beware of players that pretend to fold then play. Only call with a powerful hand.
-Look for any player looking away from the bet, their hands are powerful.
-Like the previous tell, if a player is looking away when the action approaches, he’s holding a strong hand.
-When a player peeks at the flop then looks away, he’s holding good cards.
-If a player who appears to be folding plays, abandon the hand.
-Again if a player looks slightly away from a pot, their sitting pretty.
-If a player takes a long time to consider a bet, then makes a larger raise, he’s holding a strong hand.
Tells From Actors- Strong Means Weak
He’s acting powerful, too powerful.
*Disappoint any player, who, by acting strong, wants you to fold.
-When a player continues to stare at a flop, he doesn’t like it. Call him often and try to bluff him away.
*Players staring at you are usually less of a threat then a player staring away.
*Players staring at their cards are usually weak.
*Players reaching for chips out of turn is usually weak.
*A player who grabs for pot prematurely is usually bluffing.
*When a player acts to spread his cards on the table (mostly in stud) it’s usually because he is bluffing.
*If a player bets and then looks back at his cards as you reach for chips, he is usually bluffing.
Exposing Cards
I just saw one of his cards, did he want me to see it?
-Showing a card intentionally is used to make you think his hand is strong then it is.
*When a player exposes a card, he doesn’t want a call.
Opening Tells
Pocket aces, boo-yah!
-Before opening with a strong starting hand, Look around the table for someone that might open for you, for instance, someone looking away.
Encouraging a Bet
Who in this hand is trying to get me to call?
-People looking away are often holding a powerhouse hand.
-People who appear to be going to pass.
-People who keep their hands off their chips.
-A long stare with no threat to call is to make the bet seem safe.
Discouraging a Bet
Who here is trying to get me to fold?
-A player staring at you, or getting ready to bet out of turn.
Betting Moves
Look at him move his bet towards the pot.
-A forceful or exaggerated bet usually means weakness.
-A gentle bet usually means strength.
-”I Bet…” is a sign of weakness.
Tricks
Similar to other tells, but different.
-When a bettor reaches for the pot but doesn’t grab it, he is luring a call.
-If a player bets as the river is exposed or, as he looks at his last draw card in stud, he is holding a strong hand.
Choosing a Seat
This isn’t musical chairs, pick the right seat.
-Sit to the left of people who play a lot of hands, but does not make raises.
*When in doubt, sit to the left of the money.
Conflicting Tells
Two opposite tells in one.
*When tells conflict, the player is acting. Determine what he is trying to make you do by his most obvious tell. Then generally do the opposite.
-Do not bet into a player who looks away as he checks.
Gaining Information
Lets expose a tell from him.
-Makes fake bets to try and lure a tell
-Reach for chips while he is prepared to bet, looks for hesitation, him double checking his cards, or an aggressive bet as weakness, if there is no hesitation expect him to have a strong hand.
Misdirected Bets
He is putting his bet in front of a player with a weak hand, Why?
-Bet into anyone that reaches across the table to bet in front of the weak players
*Misdirected bets are almost always a bluff.
The Sound of Tells
I can beat this guy blindfolded!
-“What is it to me?” is usually a sigh of strength.
-A sad tone is trying to act weak but is generally strong.
-A cheerful tone is trying to act strong,
-”I bet…” again is a sign of weakness.
-Players sigh if they have strong hands.
-If a player is humming, singing or talking, and he suddenly stops when he looks at his cards, he normally got a strong hand.
*Beware of sighs or sounds of sorrow.
*Don’t call poker clack.
This is my summerized version of Mike Caro's, "Mike Caro's: Book of Tells". It also includes pictures to help understand his explinations, and profit analaysis. I recomend this to anyone who plays live games.