Online Poker Tells

Poker tells are the visual clues you get from opponents when you are playing them face-to-face. There have been many debates as to what certain facial expressions, body movements, eye contact and even verbal responses might mean in regards to what hand your opponent is holding.

Well obviously in online poker, there are absolutely NO cookies, or any other visual clues to help you discern information - even if you could. But does that mean there are NO tells at all in online poker? Not exactly, but certainly they are limited to the actions of your opponents only. That generally could only be one of two things - betting patterns and the amount of time they take to make their play. When you talk about betting patters, this is where your poker software comes in because you can instantly check his history and sometimes it can be very clear that his play is out of pattern. Poker odds calculators can actually make up for any tells you think you might be missing at a live game.

Betting patterns can be compared to the size of the pot, the chemistry of the board, the position and the past betting patterns of that same player. Now that is a lot to go on so lets watch where typical betting patterns can give a clue to as to what your opponent is holding.

For example you bet out top pair holding QcJc on a 8d9dJs board and get reraised immediately even though another player is yet to act behind. That is a tough spot now, and plays like this usually mean they have the goods, or in this case a HUGE draw that could make you the underdog right now.

And how about one of those massive overbets on the river for a tell? Sure you may have the two pair but if there is a straight and/or flush on the board to contend with, well that strongly suggests you are now crushed here. Many players will shove here trying to get you to think he IS bluffing with such a huge bet, and hoping you do have a hand like two pair where its a good chance you will call an overbet like this. However, if you never, ever call one of these bets in your poker career, you will be be ahead.

The timing of the bet can also be significant because many players tend to not think about disguising that part of their online habits. For instance long pauses before a check often indicate weakness, but your opponent wants you to think he was thinking about a bet! Conversely if after a long pause he decides to bet, that usually means he was actually thinking about how much more he could get out you.

Quick calls on the flop will often mean a draw, especially if there are still others behind to act in the hand.

Small bets can usually be taken at face value. Your opponent does not want a big pot, meaning a moderate strength or even weak hand just trying to steal an orphan pot. These kind of bets can present re-steal opportunities for you when recognized.

Also, watch out for those insta-checks which generally mean your opponent would much rather prefer to be getting onto the next hand, and just wants to fold asap.

Now with all that said, you do not know if your opponent is distracted, multi-tabling, watching TV, surfing the internet, even drinking, or yes, sleeping at his computer, so he may be off of his timing for reasons other than deception. Well again because you cannot see him, you simply have to ignore these realities and figure that all of your opponents ARE paying attention, because really MOST of them will be. Unless he is foolish enough to be chatting in the poker room table, then you have to take all of their online poker tells as valid, and factor them in to your next play.

Hope that helps you with understanding online poker tells a little more, and just remember to stop eating cookies at the poker table.