Many moons ago, before internet poker, before everyone played no limit, I had started playing serious poker, $5-$10 and $10-20 limit local games. I was studying, reading Brunson and Caro and Sklansky, and eager to find a tell. I noticed a friend would look down and to the right every time he bluffed : a huge glaring tell just like I had read about. Since he was a friend I was torn if I should tell him. I decided it was just part of poker and never did tell him. Another friend had an adrenaline control problem : his hands would shake violently. Fortunately no one could tell if it was from bluffing or having a monster. Over a few years of playing he got better at controlling it, but he still had a noticeable hand shake, but no one ever said they had figured out what it meant...
One tell I've noticed, especially online, is that some players act instantly when they're weak but suddenly take a long time before making a big bet with a strong hand. Of course, timing tells aren't always reliable, but when combined with betting patterns, they can provide valuable information. ♠️
When I heard about people looking at feet, that me laugh as I can't keep my feet still, so if they looked at my feet they'd think I was uncomfortable and call my strong hands. Muhahahah
Online insta check for me shows weakness, I've won more hands that way.
Online insta check for me shows weakness, I've won more hands that way.
A pretty clear live signal is when someone places a big bet and starts talking too much or justifying their move without anyone asking. 😄
In online poker, I pay more attention to changes in pace; for example, someone who normally plays fast but who suddenly takes a long time to place a large bet.
Even so, I think the key is to look for patterns instead of relying on a single signal, because often it could simply be a coincidence.
In online poker, I pay more attention to changes in pace; for example, someone who normally plays fast but who suddenly takes a long time to place a large bet.
Even so, I think the key is to look for patterns instead of relying on a single signal, because often it could simply be a coincidence.
One of the best tells for me online, and it's really funny to see, is when someone takes a long time to make a decision, and then they make a really big bet. 😂 In live, there have been times where someone acted very casual and spoke out a lot more than usual just before pushing a large bet. In some cases, the most absurd behaviour can indicate a tell!
One tell I've noticed is when a player suddenly changes how they bet. For example, if they normally bet small but suddenly make a very big bet, it can sometimes show strength or a bluff. I also watch how quickly players make their decisions. I don't trust tells completely, but I think they can give you extra information.
One of the funniest poker tells I've seen is a player who suddenly goes completely silent whenever they have a monster hand, but talks nonstop when they're bluffing. Another common tell is players who instantly check weak hands but take a long pause before betting big with strong ones. While tells can be useful, it's always better to rely on solid strategy than on physical or timing tells alone.
One of the clearest online tells for me is a sudden change in timing. Someone who normally acts quickly but suddenly uses almost the entire timebank and then makes a big bet often has a very different hand than their usual range. I’ve also noticed players who become unusually aggressive after losing a big pot, which can be a sign they’re tilted and trying to win it back immediately. In live poker, nervousness can be interesting too: shaking hands, excessive chip movements or suddenly talking much more than usual. The funny thing is that some of the best tells are probably the ones I’ve accidentally given away myself. When I’m uncomfortable with a decision, I can definitely become slower or more hesitant without realizing it.
I play mostly online, so the biggest tells I notice are changes in timing and bet sizing. A player who has been acting quickly but suddenly tanks and then makes a small river raise often seems to be trying to look uncertain with a very strong hand.
That said, I never trust one tell by itself. I look for a change from that player’s normal pattern and combine it with the betting action. The strangest live tell is when a normally talkative player suddenly becomes completely silent and intensely focused on the hand.
That said, I never trust one tell by itself. I look for a change from that player’s normal pattern and combine it with the betting action. The strangest live tell is when a normally talkative player suddenly becomes completely silent and intensely focused on the hand.