COMMON POKER TELL # 4. THEY’RE NOT MAKING SENSE
If you think someone’s bluffing, talk to them. Ask about the weather, how much hair they’ve lost, what species they think gave birth to Snookie, or something non-poker related. An inability to answer fluently is one of the most common poker tells that signals a weak hand. “The more natural the conversation, the more likely it is that they have a strong hand,” Caro said. “Someone with a strong hand has no stress; time is just passing. But if their conversation is gibberish or contrived, they’re probably bluffing.”
COMMON POKER TELL # 5. THEY’RE NOT INTERESTED IN THEIR HAND
“When they’re the perfect cards, usually they’re just down and covered, and then the person’s looking away like they’re not interested,” says Caro. So if a player looks at the cards he’s been dealt and quickly covers them up, assume he has a strong hand. If he stares at them awhile, he’s probably trying to convince you he has something worthwhile.
COMMON POKER TELL # 6. THEY’RE WAY TOO INTO THE FLOP
Never watch the flop if you’re playing Texas Hold ’em. According to Caro, the flop — the first three cards dealt, face up on the board — provides an invaluable opportunity to read your opponents. “Players will often glance toward their chips and then look away, which means they’re planning to bet and they’re excited because they liked the flop.” Be discreet, but chances are they won’t notice you’re looking at them because they’ll be too busy doing what they shouldn’t be doing: watching the flop.
