A tell in poker is any signal that reveals insights into an opponent's possible hole cards .

Understanding this aspect of poker is vital, especially in live game settings where players often communicate information through their body language.

This guide will cover 10 distinct poker tells that can give you additional insights about your rivals during gameplay.

Interpreting Tells

It’s critical to understand that tells can have varying meanings depending on the individual player . We’ve compiled a list of commonly recognized tells, but keep in mind that a specific tell can mean something entirely different based on who you're facing.

  • Moreover, what might be a tell for one person may hold no significance for another.

So how can we decipher the meaning of tells from different players?

The first step involves analyzing each player's baseline behavior .

What is a Default Profile?

The concept of ‘ baseline behavior ’ refers to how an opponent typically behaves when they are not under pressure.

To start recognizing tells, it’s advisable to get a grasp on each player's baseline behavior .

  • What is their mood/posture?
  • Are they chatty?
  • Do they use a card protector or engage in chip manipulation?
  • How long do they typically gaze at their hole cards?

These deviations from baseline behavior provide valuable insight into the strength of our opponent’s hand.

  • For instance, if an opponent starts to frequently check their cards when they normally don’t, this could indicate something significant.

We may not instantly comprehend what a tell indicates, but we will gradually gather its implications as we observe our opponent.

In digital poker games, the characteristics of the opponents can greatly influence the ranges of hands they tend to show.

Check out this guide to hand reading for more information.

List of Common Tells

We'll focus on 10 specific tells that could arise during games with our opponents. The interpretation of each tell isn't absolute and merely offers one possible insight into the given tell .

This compilation isn't exhaustive—there are countless potential tells. For a broader perspective on what to consider when hunting for tells, be sure to check out this writeup on body language in poker .

1. Eyes Glance at Our Stack Depth = Strong

Poker Tells: Eyes Glance at Our Stack Depth = Strong

Let’s envision we're in a heads-up situation, and the turn card has just been revealed. The moment the turn card is shown, our opponent quickly glances at our stack.

Why is he doing this?

  • This often signifies that they have hit the turn very well.

Their next thought could likely be about how much to bet to potentially take down our entire stack by the river. Alternatively, they might simply be assessing our stack to gauge their potential winnings since they hold a strong hand.

This particular tell is particularly intriguing if the glance is quick and momentary. It gives the impression that our opponent wants to keep their interest in our chips a secret.

In contrast, some players may ask directly, ‘How much do you have?’ or request the dealer to count. This approach is less indicative of genuine strength.

It’s almost as if our opponent wants us to realize that they are sizing up our stack to project an image of being powerful .

2. Forceful Chip Movements = Weak

Occasionally, players will gracefully push their chips into the pot, while at other times, they forcefully shove them in.

Many experts suggest that a more aggressive approach to betting usually implies weakness rather than strength. Since deception is at poker's core, a player trying to signal strength is often indicating the contrary.

When a player has a genuinely strong hand, they may prefer to slide their chips into the pot gracefully. Their aim is to avoid drawing attention to the strength of their hand.

Of course, it all depends on the opponent.

It's entirely possible for a tell’s meaning to be the opposite of what one might assume.

3. Strong Eye Contact = Weakness

Poker Tells: Strong Eye Contact = Weakness

On a basic level, intense eye contact from someone unfamiliar can feel somewhat menacing.

Picture this: our opponent has just made a significant bet on the river and is now maintaining intense eye contact, waiting for our response.

  • This behavior is more often a sign of weakness rather than strength .

An opponent with genuine strength will likely attempt to avoid making us feel pressured while deciding whether to call. They would probably be more inclined to foster a relaxed atmosphere by looking away or gazing off into the distance.

It’s naturally more challenging for a player to divert their gaze from the action when everything is at stake (for instance, during a large bluff).

Conversely, players confident about holding the nuts may feel secure about how things will pan out, allowing them to be more composed.

4. Conversation = Weakness

Players possessing a very strong hand are generally not engaged in light banter about trivial matters like the weather. They are usually concentrated on playing their hand as effectively as possible to maximize its value.

  • A sudden silence from a usually chatty player could be a significant giveaway, especially if the conversation halts abruptly as a specific card is dealt. While a player's intense focus on the game might not inherently be a tell, it can be quite revealing if they are typically talkative .
  • Imagine a player who is consistently chatty when holding weak cards but suddenly goes quiet upon receiving improvements to their hand. We can often exploit this behavioral shift to our advantage in the game.

Conversely, if they persist in the conversation, we may be able to capitalize on that moment for a well-timed bluff. Why not consider this 888poker’s complete guide to bluffing in poker?

5. Sudden Change in Posture = Interest in Continuing

Poker Tells Sudden Posture Change

The next time we’re seated at the poker table, we should take a moment to observe the other players’ body language:

  • Relaxed and laid back? 
  • Hunched over and focused? 
  • Are they appearing serious, cheerful, agitated, or indifferent?

A noticeable shift in their attitude and posture can often point to a change in intensity regarding their interest in the game.

A classic scenario involves a player leaning back casually, appearing uninterested in the proceedings. Perhaps they’re even ordering a drink when they receive impactful hole cards, causing them to sit up straight and now seem fully engaged .

This scenario can also occur after specific turn or river cards are revealed. While it may not always signify that the opponent has a strong hand , it almost certainly indicates they have something worth pursuing, like a drawing hand.

We might conclude that pressuring Villain with a small bet in such situations is unlikely to force them to fold. Conversely, if they maintain their relaxed demeanor, it might indicate an opportunity to take down the pot cheaply with an appropriately timed bluff.

6. Frequent Card Checks = Potential Draw

Players have the freedom to recheck their hole cards at any point during a hand. However, if they consistently check their hole cards at the same moment in various hands, this might not reveal much.

Yet, many players develop a tendency to check certain types of hands more frequently than others.

Consider we are dealt pocket Aces before the flop. It’s simple enough to remember. (No one ever forgets they have Aces, right?) The likelihood of needing to confirm our hole cards after the flop is minimal.

Now, let’s say the flop comes down all three cards of the same suit. We may become curious about whether we've flopped a flush draw.

  • However, given that we are holding black Aces, we are likely to recall if we've hit a flush.
  • Now imagine being dealt one red Ace and one black Ace, followed by a flop of all diamonds. We know one of our Aces is red, but we might need to check our hole cards to clarify which Ace we have.
  • When we encounter more complicated drawing hands, like various straight draws or combinations, the chances of needing to recheck our hole-cards increase.

Thus, when we see an opponent frequently checking their cards, it raises the possibility that they have made a connection with the board in a complex manner and may be drawing.

Do we have the flush draw? 

Additionally, in Hold’em, hands in the mid-range (like 79s and 89o) often interact with the board more intricately than high-card hands (like AKo).♦or the A♥.

7. Longer Card Focus = More Intricate Hand

In poker, a tell refers to any subtle sign or indication that reveals information about an opponent's potential hidden cards. Learning to identify these tells while concealing your own can give you a significant advantage.

Discover the 10 most common poker tells – understanding what you really need to know and what can be ignored!

Explore the top ten poker tells that every player should be aware of – your ultimate reference guide.

A tell in poker signifies any clues that expose details regarding an opponent's hidden card possibilities .

This aspect of the game becomes particularly important in live settings, where players often divulge information through their physical movements and expressions.

In this detailed overview of typical poker tells, we’re going to focus on ten specific signs we can use during the game to gather insights about our opponents.

  • If a player's gaze frequently shifts towards our chip stack, it may indicate they have a strong hand.

When someone suddenly straightens their posture, it often signifies they have taken a keen interest in continuing with the hand.

  • If a player appears to take their time with the card apex, it can suggest they are holding a more complex hand.
  • In online poker, unusual bet sizing may suggest that you're facing a less experienced player.

Can a single tell potentially indicate multiple scenarios?

Common Online Tells

What if my opponent displays no tells at all?

It's crucial to acknowledge that tells can vary in meaning from player to player . We have compiled a list of common tells below, but their significance might completely differ based on whom you're up against.

Moreover, a tell that rings true for one player could be entirely irrelevant for another.

8. Online: No Auto Rebuy = Weaker Player

So, what’s the method for deciphering the context of tells for different players?

  • First, we have to analyze each player’s default behavior .

The concept of a ‘ default behavior ’ refers to the typical manner in which our opponent reacts when not faced with stressful circumstances.

The initial step in recognizing tells is to gauge each player's default behavior .

Do they utilize a card protector or engage in chip manipulations?

How often do they generally look at their hole cards?

These shifts in default behavior can provide us with valuable clues regarding how strong our opponent's hand might be.

For instance, if a player habitually checks their cards but suddenly starts doing so repeatedly, this could carry significant weight.

We may not immediately grasp the meaning behind a tell, but through persistent observation, we will eventually understand the implications over time.

  • In online situations, the nature of our opponent can heavily influence the kinds of hands they reveal.

We will identify ten specific tells to look for in an opponent's behavior. Each of these tells may provide one potential interpretation but is not definitive.

This list is far from comprehensive; countless different tells exist. If you're looking for a broader examination of where to scout for tells, consider exploring this.

1. Gaze at Our Chip Stack = Strength

Poker Tells: Gaze at Our Chip Stack = Strength

10. Online: Chatbox = Weaker Player

Picture a scenario where it's just you against another player, and the turn card is revealed. As soon as the new card shows, our opponent steals a quick glance at our stack.

This often indicates that they've hit the turn hard.

They might then ponder how much they need to bet to take our entire stack by the river. Alternatively, from a less strategic standpoint, they might just be gauging our stack to see what they could win with their newly strong hand.

This clue is particularly intriguing if the look is very fleeting . It seems like they are intentionally hiding the fact that they are measuring our chips.

Frequently Asked Questions

Conversely, some players might openly inquire, ‘how much do you have?’ or request the dealer for a count. In such cases, it is less likely a sign of strength.

  • It’s almost as if our opponent wants to project strength by making it known that they are sizing up our stack.

What is a reverse tell in poker?

  • Occasionally, players will slide their chips easily into the pot, while at other times, they push their chips forward forcefully .
  • Many poker experts argue that aggressively putting chips into the pot is more indicative of weakness than strength. The essence of poker is built on deception, so if a player is trying to signal strength, there's a good chance they're actually weak.

How do I know if I am giving off tells?

  • When a player holds a genuinely strong hand, they are likely to place their chips into the pot smoothly and discreetly to avoid drawing attention to their advantageous position.
  • It's entirely possible for the interpretation of this tell to be the opposite of what it seems.
  1. Always act consistently.
  2. Poker Tells: Strong Eye Contact = Weakness
  • On a basic level, maintaining strong eye contact with someone unfamiliar can feel intimidating.

Imagine our opponent has just made an enormous bet on the river and is now holding intense eye contact as we contemplate our next move.

  • This behavior is more often a sign of weakness than strength .
  • A truly strong player usually wouldn’t want to unsettle us during our decision-making process. They are more inclined to foster a calm atmosphere by either looking away or zoning out.

Are there tells in online poker?

  • It’s simply more challenging for a player to divert their attention from the action when everything is at stake (like during a large bluff).
    • Perhaps they have a tough decision.
    • Feeling relaxed is easier when we're holding the nuts and are confident that the game's outcome will favor us, no matter the decision.
  • Players with exceptional hands typically don’t chat about mundane topics like the weather. They tend to be focused on playing their best and maximizing their hand's value.

Tells: The Bottom Line

This can become a telling sign, especially if a player who is generally conversational suddenly becomes quiet when a significant card hits the board. While their focus on the game isn't a tell by itself, a change in their usual talkative nature can be very telling.

Consider a player who is gregarious when they hold a weak hand but then lapses into silence as their hand improves. We might often be able to avoid a difficult bet when it seems they are very interested in the pot.

Conversely, if they continue to engage in conversation, we could utilize the opportunity to take the pot with a well-executed bluff. Why not give it a shot?

5. Sudden Improvement in Posture = Interest in Continuing

The next time we find ourselves at a poker table, it’s worth taking a moment to observe the demeanor of the other players: