Basic Tells of a Poker Player

Improve your game by reading your opponents

Having the ability to read your opponents at the table is one of the key skills great poker players have. "Poker tells" that is why you here so much about it. Any physical reaction, way of behavior, or a habit that gives or "tells" the other players hints or informations about the cards in your hand. Watch for the habits or tics within the poker players you are playing with at the table, while also watching your own habits and behavior while playing poker to make sure that your body language is not showing any of your secrets.

Through practice and knowledge of common tells would allow you to do most of these things. Making the right decisions against your opponents and winning more money, usually depends on how you can accurately read and understand your opponent's tells or secrets.

Poker Tells that shows:

"I have a good hand" While still in a hand acting as if not interested

Excited about his cards then pretending that he is not, but he is. Usually this is a sign of a great hand.

After looking at hole cards then glancing at the chips

Glancing over at your chips just to see how much you can bet is usually a sign that a player is seeing strong cards in his hand.

Shrugging or Sighing

Sighs like "I think I'll call?" or "Am I calling?" are signs of sighing and shrugging. These things most probably are over reactions just to hide a good hand.

Hands shaking

Getting a really great hand could actually make a player's hand shake, while placing a bet. So be conscious about it.

"I have a weak hand"

Staring at other players

A player might have a good hand, but he knows that it can be beaten. Trying to represent strength while hiding their weaknesses usually occurs from players that stares down their opponents.

Deep breath

Bluffing for non experienced players usually shows that they are probably trying to hold their breath to ease tension.

"I have a drawing hand"

Situations like calling a bet that takes players a long time to decide

Looking at the pot and seems to be calculating in his head and likely he is. Figuring out the odds of pot, to see if it worth trying and wait for the cards that he needs, to have a complete drawing hand.

After a flop checking their hole cards

Watch for people re-checking their hole cards especially if the flop shows the possibility of giving someone a straight or a flush draw. Whether that black ace was a club or a spade they are checking to see if they have a piece of it. Players would not actually check if he has a flush or a straight at that point, but instead he is seeing if he has a draw from it.