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I
have a healthy love for the movie Rounders, and I think
it got a lot of the small poker details right. From
Mikey watching old World Series tapes to the tourist
fish clogging the tables at the Taj, the film was often
spot-on. But there was one area where Rounders missed
the mark, with the whole business of Teddy KGB’s
ridiculous Oreo eating tell. I know one shouldn’t
expect subtlety from a Hollywood movie, but come on!
Anyone who sits down at a real poker table expecting to
see a tell like that has about as much chance as a fart
in the wind.
A
tell is defined as an unconscious mannerism or gesture
that gives away the strength or weakness of a player’s
hand. In reality, poker tells are very subtle. Spotting
tells is an advanced art that comes with years and years
of practice and a good amount of God given talent.
Players that have the ability to detect tells can make
millions of dollars, as Phil Hellmuth often says the
difference between finishing 16th and 1st
in a tournament is spotting 2 or 3 good tells.
So
what are examples of tells? Here are some of the most
elementary ones, commonly seen in novice players:
- If
an opponent picks up a big hand, adrenaline will
start flowing through their body. Consequently,
their hands will shake.
- Watch
how a player puts chips in the pot. If they push in
an aggressive manner, or sloppily spill them in the
middle, it is often a sign of weakness. If they act
in a calculated and deliberate manner, it usually
means they want to get called.
- Observe
how a player sits in their seat. If they are slumped
or disinterested, they are probably strong. If they
are straight up and intense, they are likely
bluffing. Poker players love to act, and opposites
attract. Acting weak = strong, and acting strong =
weak. Remember that.
- Watch
how an opponent reacts to the flop. If their eyes
narrow, or if they glance at their chips, it is an
indication they have connected with the flop.
- Take
note of betting patterns, and be aware of strange
bets. For instance, if a player bets a small amount
into a large pot, it generally means they have a
monster and are looking to get paid off. Conversely,
if somebody overbets the pot, you can safely assume
they don’t want to get called.
The
bottom line? Pay attention. Always, always pay
attention. If you want to glance into space, get a
telescope and a same sex partner. Poker’s not your
thing. Real players know that staying alert is half the
battle. Every time an opponent acts he is giving away
information. Its up to you to grab it.
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