The Reliability of Poker Tells

Besides the pot odds and starting hands, knowing how to use and read Poker tells are the other important elements that make up a winning strategy. However, some players remain skeptical of their value because they believe that people now use it to deceive other players. So how reliable are tells?

Because of books and online Poker strategy guides, most people, from the sharks to the total novice, are aware of what tells mean. For example, everyone knows that there was a time when a player gets wide eyed, he is holding a big hand. If his hands tremble, he probably made his drawing hand.

However, some people now use these well known Poker tells to trick their opponents. A player who is holding a 48 might give a tell (i.e. wide eyes) to give out the impression that he is holding a premium pair. Similarly, the player that makes a quick call, which is usually seen as a bluff, is actually holding a strong hand.

Given this situation, how can a player rely and use Poker tells?

The proper way to use Poker tells, in the end, will depend to a large extent on where you are playing. For example, if you are playing in home games you should still be able to rely on the traditional signs. The reason is that a lot of those that participate in home games are in a more relaxed and loose atmosphere, and thus be less concerned about issuing reverse tells.

The opposite is true when you are playing in a high stakes Poker game or in a final table tournament. Here the players will be top notched, and you will have to depend on your earlier reads to determine the kind of tells that you are picking up. All players issue tells, but when up against skilled players you will have to decipher what it means.

As for yourself, be aware that your opponents will also be attempting to pick up Poker tells from you, and here you will be able to careful too. In this case, you may want to employ a bit of strategy too.

If you are holding K2, make a quick call. Most people will assume that those who make quick calls are actually holding a strong hand and making a reverse tell. In this case, you will actually be able to pull a bluff. The fact that the Poker tell is so overused and predictable that it is no longer used makes it the ideal strategy to employ.

In the end, the affectivity of tells in Poker will be totally dependent on the player. Learn how to read the signs, and also the situation that you are in. This will help you get the most out of the game, and allow you to profit more from the mannerisms and traits being displayed by the players.