Play Poker

Using “Talking Tells” to Destroy Opponents

1. You need to grasp solid strategic concepts to win and play poker. But, after that, it’s tells and psychology – not statistics and complex tactics – that account for most of your profit. If you don’t truly understand the basics of poker, you aren’t ready to use tells or to apply psychological concepts. Most of the things I teach about poker are advanced. They can account for the majority of your profit. But, if you don’t first understand the fundamental concepts of winning poker, you won’t win. You’ve got to master the basics first. So, with that in mind – let’s move on.

2. Not all profitable poker tells are visual. Some of the most important ones you can’t see at all. They’re audible. You simply have to listen for them. And if you listen well enough, you can almost beat texas holdem poker with your eyes closed!

3. Four keys to spoken poker tells: (1) What the player says; (2) when the player says it; (3) how the player says it; (4) what the player doesn’t say. It’s important to pay attention to what your opponents say. Hostile or goading speech generally means a strong hand. Most players fear that their combative words will irritate you into calling, so this verbal behavior is seldom a bluff (though sometimes it is – so know you opponents!). Natural, non-poker conversation is an indication of a player at ease. That player is seldom worried about his hand and isn’t likely to be bluffing. He is also – at that moment – a poor target for a value bet. If a player suddenly starts talking as you’re betting or calling, that’s almost always a last-second desperation effort to make you reconsider. If a player speaks in negative tones about his hand, he is usually strong. If he’s excessively cheerful or friendly in his voice, he’s usually weak. If a player tries to avoid engaging in conversation after betting, that’s a clue that he is more likely than usual to be bluffing.

4. Listen for talk that sounds natural. The more naturally an opponent engages in conversation, the less likely he is to be bluffing. And the more casual an opponent’s conversation seems when it’s your turn to act, the less willing you should be to bet. (This is just another way of acting uninterested, similar to looking away. When a player is looking away, he is trying to make your bet seem safe by giving you nothing to worry about. When a player keeps talking casually, he is also trying to avoid giving you clues that he may be interested in the hand.) I have used this audible tell to great profit. If someone is talking about how to fix his washing machine as you start to bet, and if he continues to talk about his washing machine, you should be careful. Don’t make any weak wagers or value bets. True, sometimes this player is so weak that he just doesn’t care. He’s simply waiting to throw his hand away. But, more often he’s not worried. He has a significant hand. It’s when a player stops talking or has trouble sounding rational while talking that you should suspect weakness. When that happens, the opponent is worried – and probably weak.

5. Humming and soft whistling. This often ceases either (1) immediately when an opponent bluffs, or (2) later when you look as if you’re beginning to call. Those rare opponents who whistle under their breath are goldmines. They will almost always stop whistling when they bluff. Same for humming. 6. Believe them! Players who tell you they have a big hand are usually telling you the truth! Not always, of course, but usually. They are waiting to take pride in showing down their hands and saying, “I told you so,” in words or gestures of their chosing. 7. Listening to the word. Listen carefully for an opponent to say the word “bet.” If there is anything sad or reluctant about it, this usually means a strong hand, so seldom call. 8. Breathing. Players who pause to catch their breath quietly, as if they don’t want you to know they’re struggling to breathe normally, are usually bluffing. Remember, bluffers have trouble breathing naturally and sometimes choose not to breathe at all. Players who hold big hands also often have trouble breathing naturally, but their breathing tends to be quite audible, and you should seldom call their bets with medium-strong poker hands. 9. Forced conversation. Whenever an opponent has bet and his conversation seems unnatural, unfocused, or forced, there’s a very great chance that he is bluffing. That’s because it’s hard to concentrate on casual conversation when you’re in immediate danger. 10. Major tip. When considering a borderline bet for value, first look away. Just listen. Even close your eyes if you choose. You can often “hear” the silence and sense the stillness. After an opponent has bluffed, he will usually be silent, too. But the action I’m talking about is before your opponent has acted. It’s your turn to act. Ominously silent texas holdem players are often trying not to do anything to discourage your bet. That usually means your opponent is ready to pounce. So, don’t bet! – Mike Caro