“A tell” or “tells” are body language which has the potential to reveal information concerning the opponent’s hand. Keeping a good eye open for it is a fun challenge and something you should learn to do. It may decide the outcome of the game like nothing else and it keeps you from fidgeting. When your opponent vigorously tosses their chips during a live game, or fidgets with their chips, licks their dry lips, glances aside, or scratches behind the ear you may earn cash with systematic observation which may lead to valuable insight. Such a technique to the uninitiated may seem like black magic, but it is heavily replied upon by many professionals.

Things look differently online however. At first glance all that represents a player may be a blank, a photograph (not necessarily of the player) or an image of anything else. So is “reading” even possible online?

You must realize that online your own hand is likewise readable, even if your online image is Homer Simpson with a hand of pink glazed donuts. The speed with which a player makes his bets is the primary tell online. Clicking the appropriate box to raise, call, or pass when it’s a player’s turn is the most basic available way to bet. The box can also be marked beforehand (bet/raise, etc.) so that the move is made instantly and automatically when it is your turn.

Possible signs of a weak hand may be “pondering”: when a payer takes a long time to “think” and then says “check”, they are probably trying to convince you that their cards are good when they are not. It’s as if investigating a significant sum was considered. Actually, so they can have the next card for free they hope that you too will check. A person will normally say check after a natural pause and then make a raise equal to the last bet when they actually intend to check/raise. Strength is implied when a bet is made after prolonged pondering. The player suggests weakness by “wavering for a bit while making an aggressive bet which entices you to “call”.

Many of those who make immediate bets or raises are likely to have a strong hand. Deliberate aggressiveness may suggest weakness, but in many cases the situation is the reverse: the player hopes that you will be bullied into believing that he would never have raised so “rashly” if he really had worthwhile cards. It’s a trick of “reverse psychology,” a show usually meant to intimidate you into an unnecessary call.

Some players use the “check/raise” button to play what is probably a very strong hand with deceptive gradualness. When what seems like a hurried check, enticing you to make an aggressive move, is followed by a raise, beware: the check was likely a trap and the opponent’s hand is probably much stronger than you thought it was!

To give you an idea of how to observe the mannerism and habits of invisible online opponents, these are mere tips. Observe players carefully, especially those you have been playing with long-term as they probably display more individual tells. Responding at a persistently equal time with timed responses may be done deliberately by some players to make it impossible to guess their hands. Learning to do the same may be a good idea for you.

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