Tell (poker)

In poker, a tell is a detectable change in a poker player's behavior that gives clues to that poker player's hand. Possible tells include leaning forward or back, placing chips with more or less force, fidgeting, changes in breathing or tone of voice, direction of gaze and actions with the cards, cigarettes, or drinks.

For example, a poker player with a weak hand, hoping to bluff, may throw his chips into the pot forcefully and with a direct gaze at a poker player he hopes to discourage from calling.

Tells may be common to a class of poker players or unique to a single poker player. A poker player gains an advantage if she observes another poker player's tell, particularly if that action is unconscious and reliable. However, better poker players may fake tells, hoping to lead their opponents into costly traps when they rely on the false information. So the observing, creating, and evaluating of tells can add another level to the play of poker.

Mike Caro has published the most comprehensive information on tells; his Book of Tells (ISBN 0897461002) is now a standard reference on the subject.

David Mamet's 1987 movie House of Games includes an interesting discussion and visual reference to tells as an essential part of the plot. The 1998 movie Rounders contains an even more subtle use of strategy: at one point, "Mike" discovers a tell in his opponent (that he eats cookies in a particular way after he has bet a very strong hand), and after using it once, he reveals to the opponent that he has this tell; although this eliminates the usefulness of the tell itself, it upsets his opponent so much that it affects his later poker play.

What is a Poker Tell? A tell is any habit, behavior, or physical reaction, that gives other poker players more information about your hand. The following are tips supplied to PokerTop10 by the pros, and can apply against novice or advanced poker players. Remember, in poker there are many contradictions and exceptions to the rule. Also, experienced pros will give out false tells to fool poker players.

1. Watch the Eyes
This is why many pros wear sunglasses or visors/caps when poker playing, they know that the eyes rarely lie.  For example, many poker players can't help but stare at big hole cards, so their length of time peeking is longer. Conversely, if a poker player is looking to steal the pot, he may look to his left to see if the remaining poker players, who haven't yet acted, have quickly glanced at their cards and are likely to fold. Another example, a poker player may try to ask you questions about your hand, knowing that people rarely can "look someone straight in the eyes" while being dishonest.

2. Facial Expression
Again, many pros try to disguise their entire face by wearing a cap and looking downward. This is to avoid the classic stare-down that poker pros are famous for. They may try to study your face for nervousness (detecting a weak hand), or even look for repetitive characteristics like a body "tic". You may have obvious unhappiness in your face when your hand is weak, and conversely, you may show a contrasting show of confidence when your hand is strong.

3. Weak is Strong/Strong is Weak
In its most simplistic form, this usually applies to novice poker players but frequently applies to pros as well. Basically, poker players like to be actors, and when they have a monster hand they tend to look disinterested. For example: "Oh, is it my turn to act" or "Oh I guess I will poker play these cards". Alternatively, a poker player increasing the level of his voice while raising the pot, and trying to look intimidating.. may be running a bluff.

4. Anxiety
Anxiety typically occurs in people when they are confronted, or anticipating confrontation. Psychologists call this the "Fight or Flight" stimulus response, which links back to the days when we were cavemen/cavewomen. Physical changes happen including flexing of muscles, eye pupil dilation, palpitating heart rate, dry throat. In poker, when someone has a big hand they are typically ready for confrontation and can exhibit some of these characteristics. You may see the chest expanding abnormally, or you may notice the poker players voice become slightly higher as he makes a comment. Some of the top poker players in the game will stare at the vein on the top-side of your face for blood pressure changes. During a bluff, the poker player may demonstrate anxiety, but if he knows he will fold the hand if re-raised (non-confrontational end) may look quite comfortable.

5. Trembling Hands
Also, a byproduct of anxiety, beware of a poker player whose hands are shaking, this nervousness can represent a big hand.

6. Glance at Chips
Again, relating to the eyes. It is common for poker players to quickly glance at their chips if they connect with the board after a Flop. This may be a subconscious reaction, but the poker player is already planning his attack.

7. Peeking Hole Cards on Flop
Some poker players will take another look at their hole cards when, for example, the board is showing a potential 3 card flush draw. Typically, the poker player is looking to see if one of his cards is connecting, because he remembers only that the two cards are different suits.

8. Repetitive Betting Patterns
Usually the most revealing tells are based on the way a poker player habitually bets during particular situations. For example, maybe the poker player always checks when he has made the nuts, or a poker player may regularly fold after being re-raised.

9. Body Posture/Attitude
Some poker players show obvious changes in their posture based on their attitude/hand strength. For instance, you may notice their shoulders drop/slump when they are not confident (weak hand). Conversely, you may notice the poker player is very attentive and sitting in an erect position when he has strength. You may also notice that a poker player who bluffs a lot, leans forward in a confrontational way... remember Strong is Weak!

10. Chip Stacking
When you first sit down at a table, study the way the poker players stack their chips. Although it is a generalization, loose aggressive poker players typically maintain unorganized/sloppy stacks, while tight conservative poker players keep well organized/neat stacks.