The Power of Poker Tells

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October 2nd, 2017
Back The Power of Poker Tells
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The world of professional poker is changing. Boy, how it's changing!

No longer is poker dominated by shrewd older men chewing on toothpicks, drinking mineral water (or sipping bourbon), and making moves that would trump an Egyptian belly dancer.

Today's average player is young, ballsy, aggressive and well versed in the power of raising and intimidation.

And while some of the older players are in semi-retirement or dying off, there is one thi that has not changed in poker. And that thing can be summed up in one word.

Tells.

I was once watching a major poker tournament on television. It started out with several hundred players and the process of elimination had reduced them down to two tables.

Dan Harrington, one of the players, looked at his cards. The under-the-table camera showed he had a Q-J of spades. Another player had pocket tens and flopped trips.

The flop included the 10-9 of spades. The player with trips came out with a big bet and Harrington called him. A three came on fourth street. The player with trips pushed out a big bet and was called.

Fifth street brought the eight of spades. The man with trips checked. The player with the straight flush looked away like he wasn't interested in his hand. Then, almost nonchalantly,Harrington pushed in a bet that amounted to about half the chips on the table. The other player stared at the bet for a long time before calling. He lost a huge pot.

A few hands later the same two men were involved in a big pot. This time Harrington again was on the draw. When fifth street arrived, the card did not help his hand. He was the first to act. He studied his cards and the board -- then he looked directly at the other player and pushed in a big bet.

The other player had top pair with a poor kicker. He studied the bet...and studied it...and folded.

Now this was a classic case of a player giving away his hand. Any time a player feigns a lack of interest in his hand, he is holding powerful cards. And when he feigns aggression, like staring down his opponent, hs is probably bluffing.

One of the biggest tells in poker, and nearly everybody is guilty of it, from novice to to world champions, is the secret glance at their chips. They do it after a flop in Texas Hold'em and they do it when they catch a powerful card in seven-card stud.

A person who secretly checks his chips -- and it is just a glance -- is planning a bet. Or if another player bets, watch out for the raise because it's coming as sure as a cloudburst.

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Here's a tip. When your cards are dealt, don't look at them. Watch your opponent. Same is true when the flop comes. You can always check your cards after you see what your foe is doing. I offer the same advice if the game is seven-card stud.

Here is another significant tell. If a player has been more or less lethargic and suddenly takes an interest in his cards, he has a hand. Same is true if he has been humming or whistling a tune. If he stops, watch out, He is loaded for bear.

This tell reaches into his talking. If a player has been talking, even if it's nonsense, and he suddenly stops, be careful. Your path is fraught with danger.

Watch out for players who have been leaning back in their chair and who suddenly change their position at the table. If they lean forward, they are gearing for action because they like their cards.

If a player raises after a long hesitation, there is a 50 percent chance that he is bluffing.

If a player, acting out of turn, looks like he wants to throw away his cards, watch out. He is probably acting and has a powerful hand.

Players who shrug when they wager. They have the attitude, 'What's the difference?,' but they are strong and if you call, you will probably be a loser.

If a player just slides his chips into the pot without drama, he likes his cards. If he blusters with a show of drama, it's probably a bluff.

Tells in poker are powerful. Watch for them and win.

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