Online Tells
Tells are an extremely important part of poker. If you want to be successful over time you have to be able to read your opponents. This ability will give you a significant edge in the game and help you make correct decisions in tricky situations.
In live
poker games a tell can be pretty much anything. One player might scratch his ear when he's bluffing, another player might start shaking whenever he's holding a monster hand. When you're playing online the tells are less obvious, but they are still there. Of course you have to study the betting patterns in every single hand; when and how much did your opponents bet? The speed with which another player acts is another important factor.
These are some thing you should keep in mind when you
play online poker:
- When an opponents player check-calls you on the flop and then opens the betting on the turn he's normally in a fragile position. In these situations you should suspect a drawing hand that didn't hit, and that your opponent might be semi-bluffing (of course you have to consider the cards on the board in these situations). The best action in this situation is to raise, regardless of what hand you're holding. If you have read your opponent's actions correctly he will be under a lot of pressure, and it will be expensive for him to see his draw down.
- When an opponent calls a bet right away, he's likely to have a weak hand, like second pair or a small pocket pair that didn't hit. He might also be on a draw. He makes the quick call to imply strength and to conceal his weak position. His aim is to save money by stopping you from making another bet against him in the upcoming betting rounds.
- When an opponent takes a long time to make a bet, you have to be careful. Generally this is a sign of strong cards, and that your opponent is trying to maximize his winnings by slow playing. The player that delayed his bet wants you to think that he's holding week cards in order to make to you call or even raise.
- When an opponent waits for a while and then checks his cards are probably not very strong. This tactic is often used by players with drawing hands that wants to get a free card. By delaying his check your rival wants to make you think he's holding a strong hand, and that he is planning to check-raise. He's is hoping that the fear of a big check-raise will keep you from betting and that he will get to see the next card for free.
- When an opponent in late position checks right away (with help of the "in turn"-button), his hand is probably not very strong. This type of play is often a sign of multi-table play. These players normally don't want to waste any time on lousy cards.
- When an opponent bets or raises right away on the river you have to be careful. This is usually a sign of a really strong hand. His seemingly reckless play is might very well be an attempt to make you think he's on a bluff. Your opponent is hoping that you will swallow the bait and make a raise or re-raise. If you do, he will surely re-raise, and you will be in big trouble. You should also look out for instant bets or raises on the turn.
Remember that this is general advice - it won't be applicable in every single hand. A poker hand is a puzzle you have to put together piece by piece. Your opponent's every action in the hand, and their actions in previous hands always come in to the equation. But if you use these tips correctly and in the right situations they might give you the information you need to make solid folds, good calls, and strong bets and raises.
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