Reading Your Opponents at the Table

There are few things as fulfilling in poker as being able to read an opponents hand cold... to know exactly what two cards he has in his hand and make the perfect decision based on your read.

The truth about poker is that you're unlikely to see the type of exaggerated poker tells around your home game table as you see in your favorite poker movies. I've been playing a long time and have yet to see an Oreo cookie actually mean anything at the poker table.

But don't fool yourself into thinking that poker tells are not important! Every player has them. Check out these poker tips on reading players:

1. Know what others expect of you. Look for opportunities to mix up your play.

2. Watch all showdowns. Note which players tried to act strong when they were weak, and which "told the truth" during betting.

3. Fidgety players may likely have a strong hand if they have become still.

4. Beware the man with the plastic watch.

5. Pausing, even when you know you will throw your hand away, may make an opponent less likely to bluff at you later.

6. Trying to discover a "secret twitch" which reveals your opponent's hand is less profitable than recalling their betting patterns on past hands.

7. Players that glance at their chips quickly after the flop have often hit a hand.

8. Players that stare at the board often are trying to figure what they have, which is most probably nothing.

9. All players are not the same. A tell which means one opponent is weak may, in a different opponent, mean they are strong.

10. An inexperienced player's hand may shake when he has hit a powerful hand.

11. Players who recheck their hole cards after the flop may have a mid pair or surprise draw, but rarely the most powerful hand.

12. Though not universal, the majority of average players will be rude after betting if they are strong, and nice to the potential caller if they are weak.

13. Feigned ignorance, such as asking how much it is to call, often means a very strong hand.

14. A player comfortable in conversation after a bet often truly has a hand.

15. A bettor who has trouble talking smoothly often has bluffed.

16. A very subtle tell is a player playing with a stack of chips, letting them fall from the bottom one by one. It usually is an anxious form of celebration - meaning they have a strong hand.

17. If you are last to act against only one opponent, exposing your hand may allow you to read his reaction.

If you stay alert and focus it IS possible for you to know exactly what a player has... which brings us back full circle to our most important poker tip on this site. Do you remember it? Good... you have been paying attention!

Thank you for visiting the site. If you feel like you've learned something, please pass along the link to your friends via Facebook/Twitter/Myspace or just word of mouth at your next poker table. If you have any questions or comments, please feel free to get in touch with me at [email protected]!