One of the first rules of poker that the average player learns is to focus more on the other players than their actual cards. A common saying is that you should focus less on the cards placed on the table and more on the people sitting around it. Even in online play with strictly text chat, players will have tells you can identify. Therefore, in order to become a better player overall, you will have to learn how to hide your own revealing tells as well as how to identify tells of other players. There are several key points to remember if this is a goal for which you want to reach.
Play by the Rules
Before you can become effective at identifying tells during a poker game, you need to first fully understand the rules of the game itself. A fisherman can’t expect to lure in the biggest fish in a lake if they don’t fully understand how to fish in the first place. The same principle applies when it comes to mastering the game of poker. You have to be able to learn how to play the game and the rules that govern it, according to Yahoo, before you can proceed any further.
The best part is that you really do not have to go very far to learn a lot about the game of poker. Years ago, you may have had to attend a class or have someone sit down and show you how to play. Nowadays, the Internet has made it possible for you to have access to all of the information and resources that you need almost instantly. With just a few keystrokes and mouse clicks, you can gain access to some of the best online poker sites in the world that can teach you everything that you need to know much sooner than you might think.
Study Behavioral Patterns
If you truly want to become good at identifying tells, you need to also understand that the faces of your opponents are not necessarily going to provide you with the information that you seek. Many inexperienced and unsuccessful players may strongly believe that maintaining an emotionless and stern face throughout the game is the perfect way to hide your tell, but this is not necessarily the case.
There are many other tells that a player can exhibit through their overall body language. This is why you need to study your players closely as well as their behavioral patterns. Focus on their reactions and playing habits, including whether or not they fold a lot or sometimes stay in the game a little longer than they should. When playing on some of the best online poker sites either casually or professionally, this ability can truly come in handy – especially since you more than likely won’t be able to see the faces of your opponents.
Beware of False Tells
As you continue to grow more familiar with and skilled at identifying tells and revealing signals of your opponents at the poker table, you may start to become a little prideful and overly confident. Keep in mind that many of the best poker players in the world will intentionally use tells to throw you off. You might think that you are gaining a competitive edge and advantage over them when, in reality, they are gaining an advantageous edge over you instead. This is why you need to be able to distinguish between authentic tells and “false positive” signals that have been specifically designed to trap you.
Whether you are playing on one of the best online poker sites in the world or you are simply playing a casual game with your friends at home, these tips will help you to develop your overall skill and level of understanding.
