When playing poker in a live casino, experienced poker players look out for poker tells. Poker tells are the actions and reactions of an opponent where a player may be able to gage the type of hand they are holding. Poker tells are normally where a player has the same type of reaction patterns when holding certain cards. Some poker tells include, but are not limited to: changes in body position, placing of chips, breathing, tone of voice, facial expressions, and the directions of one’s gaze. With the advent and popularity of free online poker, tell have become related other factors instead of visible body language.
A popular tell when playing free online poker is how fast an opponent is playing. Providing there is not a bad internet connection the speed that a player is placing bets is a tell tale sign of what kind of hand they are holding, whether it is good or bad. Although, it is widely believed that quickness in betting is a sign of weakness and slower time to bet is a sign of strength, this needs to be analyzed more carefully.
A more precise way of working out an opponents strategy is to watch each one as an individual and see how fast they play certain hands and look out for the pattern. If possible keep track of each players speed and watch the results of their betting. For example, if a player is involved in a large pot and bets quickly after seeing the flop and eventually loses the hand, then this person’s betting quickness is a sign of weakness if it is fast. A person who bets slowly in a big pot might be building the pot and indicate a strong hand when they exercise a slow rate of betting. Since each individual has his/her own style of betting speed, it is important to analyze each style before making assumptions.
When looking out for tells its always worth considering what else may be happening with the other player behind the scenes rather that just assuming they are fast or slow playing due to the hands they hold. For example, they may well be playing a few tables at once, or surfing the net while waiting for their turn. Consistent slower betting from these players shouldn’t be considered a tell to their cards but is simply a sign they are distracted. Consistency is critical to eliminating bet speed as a tell with this type of player. In addition, the quality of the player’s internet connection can interfere with their bet speed.
Online poker tells are always changing, especially with the way the internet and the speed of the internet works. My best advice would be to watch each player as an individual and avoid that every free online poker player plays the same tells.
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