Are Poker Tells Really Telling Short Tales?

Posted by User Contributed

June 2, 2008

Poker tells can give you information about your opponents’ hands. These can be any sort of detectable physical movement or change in demeanor that lets you into the mind of your opponents. The trick is in knowing and understanding what they mean.

Observing the Face

Each person has a distinctive way of showing emotions. Observe your opponents’ faces early on in the game. Watch for signs - facial tics, mouth twitching, nose wrinkling, eyes fluttering - that betray true emotions.

Watch the Eyes

In poker as in life, the eyes are the windows to the soul. To cover up the eyes’ emotional transparency, it is not uncommon to see poker players with the darkest sunglasses imaginable.

Tone of Voice

Tone of voice can change depending on the emotions felt. Usually, speaking in a higher-pitched voice can mean happiness and excitement. Just watch for signs of changes in tone, pitch, and manner of speaking.

Hand Movements

Hands betray emotions as well. Look for signs that betray emotions like shaking, wringing and rubbing of hands. Usually, hand wringing is a sign of anxiety while rubbing is a sign of satisfaction; shaking can both be a sign of excitement and anxiety, depending on the person.

Body Language

Body posture and attitude change as the game progresses. Look for these changes - like slumping, hand on chin, head scratching - to ascertain your opponents’ hand.

Also, look for signs of anxiety like sweating, pupil dilation, nostrils flaring, and abnormal chest expansion. These poker tells can tell you a lot of tales.

Betting Patterns

Poker players will betray betting patterns in specific plays. Observe these patterns and use it against him when the situation comes up again.

On the flip side, be very careful of your facial and body movements as your opponents too are studying yours. To gain an advantage over your opponents, try using your free poker bets while you are still observing them.

As these free casino bets are freebies, you can allow yourself a little break on spending for a good cause. With a free bet, you really have nothing to lose and everything to gain.

When you are a master of poker tells, you have more opportunities of beating your opponents through poker psychology. Use poker tells to your advantage and win big!

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