Key Poker Tells

One of the most essential poker skills honed by good piker players is their ability to read their opponents at the table. A poker "tell" is any physical reaction, behavioural habit or sign that informs other players about your hand. If you come to know and understand the most common tells, you can not only watch your own behaviour to make sure your body language is not giving away all your secrets, but you can also watch for the unique signs in the poker players you are playing against. Accurate guessing of what each tell signifies will increase your chances of winning online poker.

Although each player is unique, there are some involuntary and common tells that you can watch for even the first time you sit down with someone.

Poker tells signifying a good hand:

Acting Uninterested in what's going on while still playing

The player is pretending that he's not excited about his cards - but he is because he probably has a strong hand.

Shaking Hands

While placing a bet, watch out for the shake or tremble in a player's hands. It is a good indication of a strong hand.

Rapid Breathing

The heart beat of some players will automatically go up when excited about a good hand. Watch out for the player's chest visibly rising and falling when he has an excellent hand

Continuous glancing at chips after looking at Hole Cards

When a player looks down and sees strong hole or pocket cards, he may glance over at his chips to see just how much he can bet. A continuous movement of this may give away.

Poker Tells signifying a bad hand

Staring Down Other Players

If an opponent is staring you down, he is trying to intimidate you to say that he is has a strong hand when he actually does not.

Holding Breath

Often, inexperienced players will hold their breath if they are bluffing.