PROJECT POKER: Common Tells, Part 2

Fred Leung

Learning how to read your opponents can give you that extra little edge when playing the game of poker. These reads are more commonly known as “tells” in the poker world. The general rule is that people tend to do the opposite of what they actually have. This means that players will try to look strong when they are weak and act weak when they are strong.

Here are some of the most common tells:

Chip Stacking
If you’re sitting at a new table take a look at the way your opponents have stacked their chips.  Loose-aggressive players typically build sloppy stacks while tight-conservative players usually have well organized stacks.

Acting Uninterested
When a player is still in a hand but pretending he isn’t interested, this is usually a sign of a strong hand where he’s trying not to look excited about his cards.

Stare Down
If an opponent is staring you down, he’s trying to represent strength. Most of the time he has something but it’s a weak hand.
 
Long Time For Decision
If a player spends a long time thinking he is probably trying to do calculations in his head.  Often, this player has a drawing hand and trying to see if the math gives him the proper pot odds to catch the cards he needs.
Double Tap
Players who are weak and ready to give up on their hand will often be seen doing a “tap tap” on their turn or even just before the action gets to them.  This is a good time to raise or bet to take down the pot.
One thing you need to take into consideration is that these aren’t rules but general tendencies about human nature.  In fact, some experienced players will flip these in hopes of giving a reverse tell and make you think you see something when, in fact, the opposite is true.  Therefore, the best time to confirm these tells is when you’re sitting out of a hand.   Pay attention to the players who are still in the hand and see if your opponents are giving off some of these common tells. 

Good luck!   

Fred

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