Learn To Exploit Tells and Body Language in Poker
The top poker players in the world understand that body language
is one of the most important aspects of winning. Knowing when a
player is trying to bluff you and steel your poker chips can be
the difference between winning and loosing. At the same time,
when you decide to bluff, you must understand which tells to
avoid in order to successfully pull of your bluff. The following
is a list of some important things to remember about tells and
body language.
1. Acting strong when you're weak, acting weak when you're
strong: This is probably the most common tell in poker. For
some reason almost all players will do this at some point. They
key is to mix it up and remembering not to overdo it. So
remember to watch for this.
2. Remember to breathe: Often when people make a big
bluff or when they are very nervous, they are so excited that
they forget to do something very important, breath. Next time
someone goes all in on you and you notice that they are not
breathing, usually this indicates a bluff. So when you decide to
bluff, remember to keep breathing,
3. Eyes on the flop: Commonly when a player has a weak
set of cards, and you notice them staring at the flop, they are
normally trying to figure out what outs they may have, or if it
is possible for them to make a hand. So when you see players
starring at the flop, this usually indicates a weak hand.
4. Looking away: When you notice a player looking away it
is a result of two different scenarios. Either they are not
interested in the hand because they don't have anything, or they
have a very strong hand and want to avoid eye contact. More
often though it is a result of them having a very strong hand.
Conversely when a player stairs you down, it usually means they
have a weak hand.
5. Watch the hands: Keep and eye on the hands of your
opponent when they are making a bet. If you notice that they are
shaking and seem to be nervous, this is usually an indication of
a strong hand. When you are bluffing, you are normally very
rigid and keep your hands steady. So if you see the hands
shaking, get out of the hand.
6. Be worried: Next time you have the nuts, be worried!
Not worried of loosing, but that you will play the hand wrong
and that you won't get paid off. Worrying about not getting paid
may make you seem nervous and may come across that you are
bluffing, and increase the odds of getting called.
7. Squeeze the cheeks: Again, next time you are holding
the nuts, try to squeeze you rear end as tight as you can. This
uncomfortable position that you are putting yourself in may
convey that you are nervous about getting called and may
increase the odds of getting paid off.
8. Know where your chips are: Have you ever had a great
hand and in being so excited you knocked over you stack of poker
chips when reaching for them. By the time you pick them all up
you look up and see that everyone has folded. Know where your
chips are and make sure that you don't knock them over next time
you make a strong hand.
9. Keep tells quiet: Once that you have figured out your
opponents tells, keep them quiet and never let them know that
you have figured it out.