Yes, online poker tells do in fact exist and knowing them is more important than ever. Why do you ask? Well, because you can’t see the other player sitting across from you so knowing what these tells are makes all the difference.
Spotting them can very well in fact make the difference between having a winning or losing poker session. I have some great advice to give you in this article on poker tells so get ready.
Significance of Online Poker Tells
Online poker tells are a valuable source of information when an opponent makes a big bet on the turn or river. Calling or folding can very well make or break you. Here are some reasons why they are significant:
1. Information Gathering
Just like in live games, reading online poker tells allows you to gather valuable information about your opponents’ hands and plays. This information can help you make smarter decisions when a lot of money may be at stake.
2. Psychological Warfare
Poker is as much a psychological game as it is a mathematical one. Poker tells allow you to get inside your opponents’ heads, inducing them to make mistakes or reveal more about their hands.
3. Bigger Profits
Identifying online poker tells can be a profitable endeavor. Recognizing when your opponents are weak, or bluffing can help you extract more chips from them and avoid costly confrontations when they have strong hands.
Top 10 Online Poker Tells
Online poker tells come in a variety of forms, just like their live counterparts. To master the art of reading online poker tells, it’s essential to be familiar with these types:
1. Instant Fold
Oh yes, easily one of my favorites that just about anyone can pick up on. When you’re in a hand against one or two players and you decide to check sometimes you will also notice they check instantly afterwords.
This is because they’ve tapped the “check fold” button and have no interest in the hand that’s being played. All you must do is make a big enough turn and river bet which should get them to fold easily. All thanks to you for picking up on the fact they tapped the “instant fold” button.
2. Betting Patterns
Players’ betting patterns can reveal a lot about their hands. Some players consistently raise with strong hands, while others use smaller bets when they’re bluffing. Identifying these patterns can provide valuable insights.
For example, a lot of players just sit back and wait for their hands. You can open your game up and get them out of your hands when the boards are all low cards by simply betting with big continuation bets.
3. Fast Betting
When an opponent is betting very fast it’s usually a sign that they’re bluffing. This is because if they had a strong hand, they would likely be playing slowly trying to figure out how much to bet and extract from you in a given spot. Remember fast betting is almost always a sign of bluffing.
4. Long Thinking
Okay, this is the exact opposite of an opponent who is bluffing. If someone is really taking their time to act and call or bet, they likely have a very strong hand, and are analyzing the best way to play it. Long thinkers almost always have a very strong hand.
5. Chat Box Activity
The in-game chat box can be a goldmine of information. Some players use it to engage in mind games, while others may inadvertently reveal their hand strength or intentions through their messages.
Keeping up with how players are acting in the chat box can be a way of showing strength or weakness in a particular hand.
6. Auto-Action Buttons
Many online poker rooms offer “auto-action” buttons that allow players to quickly check, fold, or call. Consistently using these buttons without hesitation can indicate a lack of decision-making and, often, a weaker hand.
7. Bet Sizing
The size of an opponent’s bets can be a significant tell. Overly large bets might suggest strength, while tiny bets could be an attempt to induce a call or bluff. You should also be aware of the all in over bet on the river. This is usually a sign of strength and something to be aware of.
8. Repetitive Behavior
Some players exhibit repetitive behavior when they’re excited or nervous. If an opponent suddenly starts performing the same action repeatedly, it’s a potential tell.
9. Multi-Tabling Behavior
Many online poker players multi-table, meaning they play several games at once. Players who aren’t giving full attention to a game may display certain tells through their timing, betting, or chat behavior.
10. Software and Tool Usage
Some players use software tools to assist with their poker game play. Recognizing opponents who use specific tools or trackers can provide insights into their skill level or playing style.
Top 3 Online Poker Sites
- Ignition Poker – Read Review
- Bovada Poker – Read Review
- BetOnline Poker – Read Review
1. Ignition Poker
Ignition Poker is a popular online poker site that offers a range of games, including Texas Hold’em and Omaha. It is one of the most reliable poker sites for players like you because the poker room has a good reputation for security and fast payouts.
This also makes it a great place to play overall. Another feature of Ignition Poker is its user-friendly platform, making it easy to navigate and find any games you want.
In terms of bonuses and promotions, Ignition Poker offers a range of rewards that will keep you engaged, including a generous welcome bonus for new players. You can get started on Ignition Poker here.
Pros
- User-friendly Interface
- Wide variety of games
- 24 hour live chat support
- Lots of player traffic for cash games
- Big million dollar tournaments
- Strong reputation and reliable customer support
Cons
- Smaller tournament
- Not available in all countries
2. Bovada Poker
Bovada Poker is another great place to play. Bovada poker has a solid game library and boasts a user-friendly interface. It’s very popular among US players and offers a range of bonuses and promotions for new and existing customers.
Bovada Poker prioritizes your security more than anything, which is why the poker site uses standard security protocols to keep players’ funds and personal information safe at all times.
In terms of the playing experience, Bovada Poker offers a range of features for you to enhance the game, including multi-table play and hand histories. You can get started on Bovada Poker here.
Pros
- Extra bonuses for Bitcoin users
- Impressive VIP/Loyalty Program
- Lots of big tournaments
- Improved poker software
- Lots of player traffic
- 24 hour customer support
- Strong reputation and trustworthy operation
Cons
- Limited availability in some countries
- Some players have reported slow payout times
3. BetOnline Poker
A well-established and user-friendly online poker site like BetOnline Poker is everything you need as a poker player. The poker room doesn’t only offer a wide range of games, but it also has a good reputation for fast payouts.
BetOnline Poker has many tournament options, giving you a chance to win big prizes and compete against other players worldwide. In terms of promotions and bonuses, BetOnline has many bonus offers for new and existing players. You can get started on BetOnline here.
Pros
- Good customer support options
- Wide variety of games
- Lots of player traffic
- Sport betting available
- Over a decade in business
- Improve mobile software
- User-friendly interface
Cons
- Rewards program could be better
Punishing Opponents with Poker Tells
Recognizing online poker tells is one thing but exploiting them to your advantage is an entirely different skill. Here are some ways to punish your opponents for giving away their hands.
- Stay Patient
Once you’ve spotted tell in an opponent, it’s crucial to be patience and wait for the right moment to capitalize on it. Timing is key, and forcing the issue can lead to losses. Definitely important to understand.
- Use Misdirection
If you’ve successfully identified an opponent’s, tell, you must use it against them. For example, if you notice that a player consistently raises when they have a strong hand, you can use this information to induce them to bet more and build the pot, allowing you to potentially win a larger pot when you have a stronger hand.
- Mix Up Your Play
To prevent opponents from taking advantage of your own online poker tells, continually vary your gameplay. If you’ve been exploiting a particular tell, be prepared for your opponents to adjust their behavior. By regularly changing your strategy, you make it harder for others to read you accurately.
Final Thoughts
Online poker tells are really going to be the difference maker to anyone who expects to win long term. It’s not enough anymore to just play ABC poker and wait for hands.
You also need to be bluffing, value betting, and be able to put other players on ranges of what they might have. When you notice the little details in a session where someone bet too quickly, or has their hand set to instant fold you will have an edge.
It’s the small edges and the willingness to constantly improve your game that is going to be the difference maker. Don’t be one of the weak ones who blames the Poker Gods for all your bad luck. Except that maybe you’re not as good as you thought you were and there is still room for improvement.
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