The Online Poker Tells Thread

[violinBU]

I decided to do my best to make my first thread here an interesting one.

There is alot more information offered in an online poker game than most would think. "Tells" can be obtained by many different ways whether it be bet sizing, timing, chat, or even what their screen name, avatar, or on some sites (like pokerstars) their uploaded picture.

Im really bored in my interenet has been going in and out all day so I cant play online safely so I decided to mke a list of each, and see if anyone can think of what Im forgeting. Personally Im a little OCD about making lists for myself, and I find that usually making a list of everything you know, helps you realize what you dont know.

So...here we go

BETTING SPEED TELLS

Note: good players know most/all of these! And can or will use them against you so beware!


- The Instant Call After a Bet

your opponent is trying to convey strength by calling quickly but in reality, likely does not have the gods....yet Your opponent is more than likely on a draw.

- The Instant Raise After a Bet

Your opponent has the goods this time, and was looking to rise no matter what you did.

- The Quick River or Turn Bet

Your opponent hasn't given much thought to whether he wants to bet his hand, because he is strong and does want to bet. Most bluffs or plays take at least a half-second to develop in the brain, and if this time isn't being used, it's likely a good hand.

- Pre-action Check/Fold Button

Your lazy opponent who uses this is almost certainly weak you will see him instantly check, and you'd better believe that you can bet the next street.

- Pause, then Bet

by pausing, your opponent is subconsiously trying to get you to believe that he is just thinking about betting before deciding to make a borderline bet. Don't be fooled, he has the goods.


Im going to make up a list of Table Chat Tells next in a little while if you guys found this interesting. Time to beat CreamSodas *** in TigerWoods 2010.

[violinBU]

If you can think of anymore, please add them! (or let me know if you disagree with any) These are contraversial, and obviously a good player is likely to do the opposite just to fool you, so consider them a list of natural tells for a beginner.

[doorgod2]

Tell: Instant check

Reliability: Medium-to-high

Hand Strength: Low or occasionally very high from a tricky opponent

Indications: The instant check online poker tell most likely means that your opponent has used the "Check/Fold" pre-action. This occurs most often when the big blind has a trash hand and will fold to any raise. Your opponents may also use this beyond the flop in any position if they haven't connected and are playing multiple tables. If the check isn't instant but extremely quick, it usually also indicates a weak hand from an impatient player ready to get to the next hand. While players often slowplay monster hands, they usually have to think about doing so for at least a second or two. This certainly isn't a foolproof tell, but is accurate enough to help you steal your fair share of small pots. Be wary of ragged flops after an instant check on the big blind; this is the type of flop that hits trash hands ready to fold preflop.

How to use to your advantage: Tend to bet out in position after an instant check from your opponent. Also, try using the "Check" and not "Check/Fold" when you have a big hand to throw off your opponents who also use this tell. I still remember an online hand against a known professional who used the instant check heads-up in position to induce a bet from me on the river when he had trip 6s and I had pocket Aces. Try it out occasionally as a reverse tell.



Tell: All-in overbet on the river

Reliability: High

Hand Strength: Usually the nuts or an unlikely big bluff

Indications: A move that has become more popular recently is the all-in overbet on the river. This is mostly done to fool opponents into thinking that the player would never make such a huge bet if he really wanted to get paid off. Don't fall for it unless you have some specific information on your opponent. A popular use for the all-in overbet is from players with a full house when it's likely their opponent also has a flush or if they've rivered an unlikely hand like a runner-runner flush. David Sklansky recommends this type of play in similar situations so you'll find it increasingly popular at the tables.

How to use to your advantage: Rarely call such a gross overbet without the nuts. I would estimate that 80-90% of the time you see this type of hand go to showdown, the overbettor rather than the overcaller wins. Learned opponents know this so you can occasionally use this move as a bluff if you're confident that your opponent doesn't have a huge hand. However, be aware that it's a very high-risk and high-expense bluff that probably could have succeeded without such a huge bet.



Tell: Check-raising the minimum

Reliability: High

Hand Strength: About 50/50 between a big hand or a bluff

Indications: This is certainly an online poker tell that requires your knowledge about the specific player. The minimum check-raise is certainly a tell, but it's one that narrows your opponent's possible holdings to the two extremes. You'll very rarely see this play with a medium-strength hand.

How to use to your advantage: Use your previous knowledge and/or notes on the player to decide which hand strength is more likely. Many players try this play if they feel your bet is fishy or seems like an obvious continuation bet. I often call with a medium-to-strong hand when facing this play and see what happens on the turn. A player who check-raises the minimum and checks again on the turn indicates a failed bluff.



Tell: Ranting in the chat box over a bad beat

Reliability: High

Indications: TILT! Ranting, swearing, and insulting opponents who beat them in a hand shows an obvious lack of emotional control. If these players stay in the game, they're sitting ducks for losing another big hand due to their ego and/or desire to get even. This is a very reliable online poker tell.

How to use to your advantage: Your implied odds are huge against a tilting player. If you can hit a set against their overpair or spike some other unlikely hand, you're probably going to get paid off. Tend to play your strong hands fast and don't bother to slowplay. Tilting players usually get involved in another big pot out of frustration so target them with hands that you want to play a big pot with. If you're the player who put the last bad beat on them - even better! Many weak online players with weak personalities will make their #1 priority to get revenge on players they feel have wronged them. Let them do it when you've got the nuts.



Tell: Posting blinds early from late position

Reliability: Low

Indications: According to many manuals, this is supposed to be an online poker tell that indicates an impatient player. I really don't put any faith in this tell, especially at the $2/4 or lower stakes. With blinds that low, why not get in a few extra hands when you already have a positional advantage? If you feel like playing right away for a couple of extra bucks, does this automatically make you a loose player? I don't think so.

How to use to your advantage: If everyone folds to you in late position after posting the blinds prematurely, try throwing in a raise for a quick steal. You'll look like you have a strong hand as you are putting extra money into a pot that you could have played for "free". You also cultivate the table's mistaken perception that you're a loose player.



Tell: Posting blinds from early position with an odd buy-in

Reliability: High

Indications: This usually indicates a player on "scared" money who has just lost an another table. A buy-in of something like $134.05 probably means the player has bought in for everything left in his account. Posting the blinds a hand or two before they would have come around naturally shows extreme eagerness to get right back into the action.

How to use to your advantage: This type of player will tend to play loose and fast, hoping to catch a flop and double up quickly. Tend to put pressure on this player when you have positional advantage or feel that you have a card advantage.



Tell: Taking an excessive amount of time to bet

Reliability: Medium-to-high

Hand Strength: Usually high or occasionally a creative bluff

Indications: A classic online poker tell is the extreme delay in making a bet or especially a raise. While online players often react slowly due to the popularity of playing multiple tables, if a player breaks from his usual betting time by delaying and then making a big raise it usually indicates strength. This is an old-fashioned case of "weak means strong". The bettor appears to deliberate because he isn't sure about his action but in reality is simply acting and waiting to pounce.

How to use to your advantage: Tend to shy away from delayed big bets. At the same time, you may use this method to pull off the occasional bluff off of opponents who also know this tell.



so yes you are correct

[eejit101]

Where did u steal all that from?

[violinBU]

Ummmm for the record my list came out of my own head.....

[eejit101]

Ya i know that, i do checks to see.

Your list was good for the beginner level for sure. Once you move up past a certain level though it all means nothing.

I mainly go on bet sizes now. But i did like both posts, even if one was hijacked

[KaciBlakely]

I don't necessarily agree with you about the instant call but the rest seems quite good in my opinion. I just know I do go with the instant call when I have the goods.

[GloBug]

I don't necessarily agree with you about the instant call but the rest seems quite good in my opinion. I just know I do go with the instant call when I have the goods.

well u dont have to agree with him because it wasnt his original stuff to post. lol