Poker is played on a variety of levels.
Beginners learn what the odds are of their hands being the best and they bet, check and fold based on these odds. This is the foundation of poker. Very often players can beat low limit games just by playing well at this level.
The next level of poker involves adjusting your bet, check and fold decisions by trying to ascertain what your opponent is holding. This allows the player to increase their profits per hand by folding good hands that they would normally bet or call when they think their opponents have a better hand or by betting or calling hands that they would normally fold if they determine that their opponents have a worse hand.
You can read the players’ hand by looking for poker “tells”. Poker tells are certain behavior and actions by players that give away the value of their hands. Tells are most often associated with live play. Although it is difficult to pick up poker skills and poker tells online, an alert player can find them. Poker tournaments information and definition will help for better play.
Following are three common live play poker tells and three common online poker tells.
Live Play Tells
Looking at Chips
If you are involved in a hand on the flop, do not look at it as soon as it is dealt. It is better to see your opponent’s reaction to the flop. Many players will immediately look down at their chips if the flop has helped them. Be less likely to bluff or play a marginal hand if you spot this type of tell.
Table Talk
If a player says that they are only in the hand because they want to go home or that they feel like gambling, they often have a great hand. With a strong hand a talkative player will become thoughtful. Don’t fold all marginal hands if you spot these types of tells.
Eye Contact
Players are more likely to make eye contact with you if they are weak and more likely to avoid eye contact if they are strong. If you find yourself in a marginal situation, take a look at your opponent. If they are staring right at you, be more likely to call. If they are looking away, be more likely to fold.
Online Play Tells
Table Talk
Most online poker rooms have chat boxes that allow players to talk to each other. These will help you to decide the strength of your opponent’s hands. Online opponents who hold strong hands will often try to coax you into calling. Don’t fall for it.
Action Buttons
Many online poker rooms have action buttons that will allow players to state their intentions on a hand before the action actually gets to them. The computer will execute this decision as soon as it is the player’s turn. You can tell that a player has used an action button because there will be absolutely no pause between that players action and the previous players. Your opponents will most likely use the “call any” action button if they are on a draw and the “raise any” button if they have a solid hand. They will seldom use these buttons on a bluff.
Pauses
Pay attention to how long your opponent takes to call or raise you. Often when players stall and then raise you, it means they have a very strong hand and are trying to lure you in.
Poker tells are a good way to help you take your game to the next level. But this is secondary to your solid knowledge of the game.