How Can You Tell a Poker Tell?

In poker, a tell is a change in a player’s behavior or demeanor that gives clues about the strength of their hand. Tells can be used to give an opponent an edge, or to bluff an opponent.

Poker tells come in all shapes and sizes. Some are physical, while others are psychological.

The most common tells are discussed below.

Physical Tells

Physical tells are changes in a player’s body language that can give clues about the strength of their hand. The most common physical tell is a change in breathing.

If a player is holding a strong hand, they will often take deep, slow breaths. Conversely, if a player is holding a weak hand, they will often breathe quickly and shallowly.

Another common physical tell is fidgeting. If a player is anxious or nervous, they will often fidget with their chips or their cards.

PRO TIP:Watch your opponent’s body language and facial expressions for clues to their hand. Look for signs of nervousness such as tapping the table or fingernails, eye movement, fidgeting, or any hesitation before betting. Also, pay attention to how they bet – if they bet without hesitation, this could indicate a strong hand.

This can be a sign that they are holding a weak hand and are looking for an opportunity to fold.

Psychological Tells

Psychological tells are changes in a player’s behavior that can give clues about the strength of their hand. The most common psychological tell is betting pattern.

If a player bets aggressively when they have a strong hand, and bets passively when they have a weak hand, this can be an indication that they are trying to fool their opponents.

Another common psychological tell is table talk. If a player is chatty and outgoing when they have a strong hand, and quiet and withdrawn when they have a weak hand, this can be an indication that they are trying to distract their opponents from the fact that they are holding a weak hand.

Conclusion

The best way to use poker tells to your advantage is to pay attention to the behavior of your opponents and look for patterns. If you notice that your opponents tend to behave differently when they have strong hands versus weak hands, you can use this information to make better decisions at the table.