How To Poker Guide to Online Tells
An on-line poker player needs to utilize different skills when reading other players, rather than the body language you can observe in a face to face game.
When looking for the tells you have to rely on the actual bets the players make. It is true that some programs do offer 'mood' settings, and most have a chat option, and whereas you will gain some information about players from this, it will not be your strongest tool.
Just as in a face to face game you need to watch the other players, but your biggest weapon in understanding them is to learn how they like to bet. Use this observation in line with the styles of play and you can almost work out the hand they have.
For instance, if they call every bet but rarely raise or fold early enough then you can tell they will not know how to play a decent hand when they get it. For a start by not being conservative with their bets, they probably will not have much money to make a good bet when their hand is good. When you see these players, bet hard against them if you have a decent hand.
Another tell is the all-in pre-flop. If you have judged this person to be a good player then chances are their hand is good and unless you have a good hand yourself you do not want to be involved.
Another simple and easy tell is how much money has the person got. In tournament's they will probably only have money they have won or lost. If they have a lot of money they are playing well, and someone to treat with respect, if they do not play well maybe they might be a nice cash cow.
My favorite online tell is the speed of play. A quick call is a sign of strength. A slower response indicates a questionable call. On the next round bet into the player to drive him out of the hand.
In ring games they may be bringing in previous winnings, or have deposited a lot,either way watch them carefully because they must be successful at something. Watch the hands they play, some people love getting straights and flushes and will hold out a hand that is going nowhere in good faith. If you see this kind of behavior learn to read the flop, turn and river to maximize your return or, reduce your loss.
When looking for the tells you have to rely on the actual bets the players make. It is true that some programs do offer 'mood' settings, and most have a chat option, and whereas you will gain some information about players from this, it will not be your strongest tool.
Just as in a face to face game you need to watch the other players, but your biggest weapon in understanding them is to learn how they like to bet. Use this observation in line with the styles of play and you can almost work out the hand they have.
For instance, if they call every bet but rarely raise or fold early enough then you can tell they will not know how to play a decent hand when they get it. For a start by not being conservative with their bets, they probably will not have much money to make a good bet when their hand is good. When you see these players, bet hard against them if you have a decent hand.
Another tell is the all-in pre-flop. If you have judged this person to be a good player then chances are their hand is good and unless you have a good hand yourself you do not want to be involved.
Another simple and easy tell is how much money has the person got. In tournament's they will probably only have money they have won or lost. If they have a lot of money they are playing well, and someone to treat with respect, if they do not play well maybe they might be a nice cash cow.
My favorite online tell is the speed of play. A quick call is a sign of strength. A slower response indicates a questionable call. On the next round bet into the player to drive him out of the hand.
In ring games they may be bringing in previous winnings, or have deposited a lot,either way watch them carefully because they must be successful at something. Watch the hands they play, some people love getting straights and flushes and will hold out a hand that is going nowhere in good faith. If you see this kind of behavior learn to read the flop, turn and river to maximize your return or, reduce your loss.
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