Every poker player knows that picking up a read (also known as a tell) on their opponents is crucial to their chances of taking down the big pots. Looking for those tells is much easier playing in a live environment and you can soon know that every time your opponent scratches his nose he is holding a monster hand so it is time for you to fold. However with the internet poker scene how do you pick up those tells when playing online? Here are some hints and tips on how to spot those elusive tells and take down first place.
Is the player sitting back in his chair looking at his chips? If he is sitting back in his chair mobile, uncomfortable and fidgeting it may be indication of a shaky hand. Would he eat dinner or watch television, his body language maybe an indicator of a shaky hand.
If he makes a comment at the table, is he talking to remove the pressure of answering a question? His immediate words are usually a tell, as the electrical impulse is sent away meaning a weak hand.
Is there a livestock animal somewhere in the room? Did he make a with his food that suggested he is hungry? Some persons eat food that causes impulses to gather in the brain similar to food tasted in a bad way. Consuming caffeine can also cause these types of alerts.
During a MPO777 game it is a common reaction to get excited and cocky since you know you are going to win. If your opponents notice this sudden affect, they will take advantage since you are playing currently and will play ten times as much money as if you are playing conservatively.
In addition to the tells already mentioned, there are also the little things you subconsciously do to give away your hand. If you have a high pitched voice or a squeaky voice, you may subconsciously be preparing for a strong hand.
It is also important to double check the cards on the table. Make sure you know what the hole cards are. Make sure you know what the community cards are and what the over cards are. The more you play the more you will become familiar with the cards on the table and you will be able to spot any tells.
When you are trying to discover what cards your opponents have bet, is there anyone that is known to be a card counter? If there is, have that individual bet the same amount as everyone else that is still in the game. You should also look to see who is the lowest or highest bettor. If there is someone known to have a big hand, there is a good chance someone has something so you may want to stay in the game.
It is also important to look to see if someone goes to the flop with aces, kings or queens. If there is, you should bet the same as you would if the cards were high. Those are the cards that are known to be strong. If you are playing for a drawing hand, you may want to stay in for the straight or flush draw since you still have a good chance of catching one.
The most important of all is to never show your cards when you throw them into the muck. If you are going to show your cards, only do it after the hand has ended. Going to the showdown and showing your cards is a great way to give away information and make a pretty poor observation of your opponents’ hands.
In short, the best way to look for tells is to pay attention to the players that play in the most pots. These are the players that have the most information with which to act. They are the canaries in the Id family of players.