Poker Tells (Poker Psychology)
A Tell is an uncontrollable physical pattern of a player's behavior (e.g. trembling or deep breathing, repeated glances at the hole cards on the flop, reaching for the chips etc.) which gives the other players information on the strength of his hand. A Read is the interpretation of an opponent's betting patterns (e.g. size of the raise, check raises only in certain situations etc.).
Many beginners think that in poker it is a matter of not batting an eyelid or always keeping a cool poker face. The fact is, however, that in poker it is the Reads that give the much bigger advantage than the interpretation of Tells! Although against beginners or people who predominantly play on-line poker Tells can give an additional advantage. The main theme in this article is Poker Tells and is based on personal experience and two reference books on the subject. The books are Caro's Book of Poker Tells and Phil Hellmuth's Read'Em and Reap. Those who want to deepen their knowledge of the psychological causes of Tells should buy the second book because it is more informative and costs less than the first one!
This article will try to explain the most important aspects of psychological poker so that one is armed when playing games at home with friends or in casinos against strangers. In our opinion the last paragraph on how to avoid your own Tells is quite important because avoiding your own Tells is just as important (and easier to accomplish!) as recognizing those of your opponents!
There are different types of Tells. Some Tells happen consciously, others subconsciously some of which are caused by carelessness or lack of concentration.
Conscious Psychological Tells
'Strong means Weak' and 'Weak means Strong' is one of the catch phrases in both poker books mentioned above. The most usual way to lead the opponents astray is to behaved quite contrarily to your normal feelings. This means when holding a strong hand one fakes weakness. With weak hands and when bluffing one gives the appearance of strength. With these patterns of behavior your opponents are deliberately trying to pull the wool over your eyes who think that they can lead you down the wrong path. Be aware, that crafty poker players can use these Tells in reverse!
Reaching prematurely for the pile of chips
A typical situation: all fold, you are on the small blind and want to raise. While you prepare your chips you notice how the big blind blatantly reaches for his chips as if he wants to call your bet. He is trying to demonstrate strength, in most cases he will have a bad hand. Raise calmly and as a rule you will win the pot without resistance!
Sudden talking before an all-in raise
During a tournament a player has behaved quietly for 2 hours. You raise with QQ and the otherwise quiet opponent gets up and says "Oh well, what's the point, I'll simply go home earlier than planned, there's a game on the box tonight I wanted to see anyway. I'll go all-in!". Here the alarm bells should ring. The opponent probably has AA or KK.
This flop does not interest me.
Your opponent sees the flop and immediately glances away or begins to yawn as if the flop were of no interest at all. In most cases he has a monster! Tip: First look at your opponents' reactions and then the cards (even if you are not involved in the hand.).
Wow, what a brilliant hand!
Your opponent grins at the flop and theatrically throws his chips into the middle to raise. As a rule he has a middling to weak hand and will be happy if you give up. Depending on the situation, you can reraise him out of the pot without even having a hand yourself.
Oh, I do not know quite...
Your opponent seems to to be considering - should I call the small bet or not. Demonstratively he scratches his head and behaves as if this were the most difficult decision of his life. As a rule he is sitting on a monster and is trying to convince you of the opposite!
In these 'Conscious Psychological Tells' it is critical to see through the behavior of your opponents. If a player starts 'acting' during a hand there is always a reason for it. Knowing this one can either get out of its way or use it to one's own advantage by winning the pot with 'rubbish' (your own cards often do not play a role when you knows the cards of your opponent).
Subconscious psychological Tells
An other category concerns subconscious Tells. Man has various instincts and natural reactions to danger, joy, disappointment etc. which show. One can observe this also at the poker table. Frequent uncontrollable Tells are:
Trembling hands, pulsating veins
Trembling hands or pulsating veins betray agitation. Poker players are usually agitated when they have a very good hand. But beware, beginners are often nervous when playing for the first time in a casino or joining a real tournament. You should first have seen your opponent with a hand when he has not trembled.
Sudden alertness
A player, who initially is sitting relaxed in his chair, looks at his hole cards before it is his turn and suddenly sits up straight. This is a sign that he wants to get in on the act. If it is your turn before this player then forget about a bluff raise in this situation. Folding hands as strong as AQ in this situation is a must.
Glancing at one's own chips
This Tell is one of the most common, not only by beginners but also by average to very good players! Players look at their own chips straightaway if they intend to raise or are certain in having the best hand. The combination of this Tell with an alertness Tell is very dependable: an immediate glance at one's chips after the flop followed by lack of interest. Therefore here it is important primarily to look at the opponents and not the cards when the flop is being dealt.
Leaning back or leaning forward
It is important to know the 'normal' sitting position of an opponent. Man possesses the instinct to draw nearer to good things and to veer away from danger. If a player is satisfied with the flop, he tends to lean forward a little. If he is discontented with the board cards he then tends to lean back. But be aware: if a player goes all-in and leans back with his arms behind his head, this a sign of contentment and relaxation and points as a rule to a strong hand.
Chewing fingernails, playing with one's mouth, touching one's nose etc.
This should be considered as a sign of weakness and uncertainty. These players have a weak or middling hand and do not know what to do.
Talking
Why do professionals often ask their opponents questions? Because when answering the question the voice can give hints about the strength of the hand. If someone answers and his voice plays up then there is a high chance that he is not telling the truth.
Tells caused by lack of concentration
You make a small raise and on the flop lye two spades. Without thinking your opponent immediately calls. He often has a drawing hand (flush draw in this case). He is not concentrating because before every action one should first ask oneself 'is there a reason why I should not raise?' Only then can one think of making a Call.
Quick raise or check
The flop is dealt and almost simultaneously your opponent checks. As a rule he missed the flop. When it is your turn quickly consider your options and do not check immediately. A quick raise suggests a hit. When you bluff, as a rule, you need a few seconds to think whether your opponent could have hit or not. Be aware of the fact that many good players when they flop a very strong hand check quickly in an attempt to lead their opponents astray. (Reverse Tell)
Checking ones hole cards
The flop contains three cards, all hearts. Your opponent inspects his two hole cards after having raised preflop. You can assume that he does not have a flush because he normally does not have check his cards if he already has two hearts. Perhaps he has AK. One card was black the other red. Now, does he maybe have the ace of hearts or king of hearts (this is why he has to check)? If you have AKs (both hearts) then you know you have "AK of hearts" and must not check them.
Avoiding one's own Tells
Almost all the Tells named above (except trembling) can be avoided if one follows the directions below. At a real poker table you must not have to concentrate on this behaviour, this has to be your normal behaviour at the table (and you will understand why some players on television appear so strange). We recommend what Phil Hellmuth says - the robotic approach.
1) Sit in a position which will feel comfortable over a longer period of time so that you do not need to suddenly move backwards or forwards.
2) Arrange your own chips so that you, your opponents and the dealer can see them well.
3) Wait before you look at your hole cards until it is your turn in order to avoid the 'sudden alertness' Tell mentioned above.
4) Always look at your hole cards in the same way. After looking wait a few seconds before folding, calling, raising etc. It is recommended to lower your head when looking at the cards so no one can see your eyes. After looking at the cards keep looking down and do not move your head.
5) After you have looked at the cards fold your hands in front of your mouth so it is not visible to the other players.
6) During the hand always try to keep the same distance from the table.
7) Before betting decide how much you want to bet and do not change your mind. After betting you should again return to your original posture with your hands folded on front of your mouth.
8) When raising keep your announcement short, clear and loud enough so that you don't have to repeat it. A short 'Raise', 'Reraise', 'All-in' or 'Call' is sufficient. Always try to use the same pitch of the voice when making announcements.
9) Always try to check in the same manner whether or not you have missed the flop respectively the turn or are about to let your opponent fall into a trap.
10) During a hand do not move any parts of your body (legs, feet etc.).
11) During a hand do not change the expression on your face.
12) At the poker table be uncommunicative. Avoid eye contact and conversations with your opponents. Ignoring an opponent's question at the poker table is not considered 'bad etiquette'!
13) If you are asked about a chip count look at the chips (and thanks to point 2 they are neatly arranged and ready) and state the number without looking at your opponent. State ONLY the number! You may also ask the dealer to count your chips. If you do so, ALWAYS ask the dealer. Do not just ask him when you are too nervous, because this would give away information to your opponent.
14) Repeat this behavior hand after hand. After a while your opponents will not observe you so closely anymore because they cannot tell any difference!
15) If you have difficulty remembering your hole cards then check them for EVERY flop so that your opponents can draw no conclusions!
16) In on-line poker many of the points above are quite useless! ; -)
Now, what is a good poker face??? As cool as possible? As casual as possible? As serious or even as dangerous as possible? A good poker face can be any of these and more so long as it always remains the same!
On the subject of sunglasses
On the one hand sunglasses prevent your opponents from seeing your eyes and reading reactions from them. On the other hand, however, and more important, the other players cannot see you observing them!!! If the sunglasses do not impair your sight (not all tournaments have lighting conditions good enough for sunglasses) then take them along. As a rule one does not play any better and neither will the feminine 'Railbirds' be impressed...
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