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🔍 Reading Opponents

Tells are behavioral patterns that leak information about a player's hand strength. Online players give off timing tells and bet sizing tells. Live players add physical tells to the mix. This guide covers research-backed patterns — but remember, tells are tendencies, not guarantees.

⏱️ Online Timing Tells

How long someone takes to act reveals information. These patterns are most reliable against recreational players who aren't aware of their timing.

Instant Call Reliable
Player calls immediately without any thought, often before time bank even starts.
Likely Means
Drawing hand or medium strength
Why
A monster would consider raising. A weak hand would fold. Instant call = decided before action.
Long Tank → Bet/Raise Reliable
Player uses significant time bank, then bets or raises.
Likely Means
Strong hand (value betting)
Why
Bluffers decide quickly. Long tanks before aggression = genuinely deciding between bet sizes.
Quick Check Moderate
Player checks almost instantly when action is on them.
Likely Means
Weak / giving up
Why
Strong hands consider betting. Quick checks often mean "nothing to see here."
Long Tank → Check Moderate
Player uses time, then checks (especially on river).
Likely Means
Medium strength or missed draw
Why
They considered betting for value or as a bluff but decided it wasn't worth it.
Long Tank → Call Context-Dependent
Player thinks for a long time before calling a bet.
Likely Means
Bluff catcher or tough decision
Why
Could be genuinely close. Some players Hollywood with monsters. Less reliable.

⚠️ Beware of Reverse Tells

Good players know about timing tells and will deliberately vary their timing. Against regs and pros, don't rely heavily on timing. These patterns work best against recreational players who aren't thinking about what information they're giving off.

🧠 Timing Tell Quiz

Practice reading timing tells. What does the timing suggest about their hand?

Questions
0
Correct
0
Accuracy
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Scenario 0.0s
River: Villain faces your $120 bet into $180 pot
Villain tanks for 25 seconds... then CALLS

💰 Bet Sizing Tells

The size of a bet often reveals more than timing. These patterns are especially reliable against inexperienced players.

Min-Bet or Tiny Bet Reliable
Player bets the minimum or an unusually small amount (10-20% pot).
Likely Means
Weak hand probing or blocker bet
Counter-Strategy
Raise as a bluff or for value. They'll often fold.
Overbet (1.5x+ Pot) Reliable
Player bets significantly more than the pot, especially on river.
Likely Means
Polarized: Nuts or bluff
Counter-Strategy
Against recs, often the nuts. Against aggro regs, more bluffs. Profile matters.
Odd/Specific Amount Moderate
Player bets a weird number like $37 or $123 instead of round numbers.
Likely Means
Often strong (calculated value bet)
Why
Bluffers usually pick round numbers. Odd amounts suggest thought went into max value extraction.
All-in When Not Required Moderate
Player shoves all-in for much more than the pot when a normal bet would suffice.
Against Recreationals
Usually the nuts (wants to look bluffy)
Against Aggro Regs
More likely a bluff (polarizing)
Standard 50-75% Pot Neutral
Player bets a standard amount — half to three-quarters pot.
Likely Means
Balanced / No information
Why
This is the default size most players use for both value and bluffs.

🎰 Live Poker Tells

Physical tells add another dimension in live poker. The #1 rule: "Weak means strong, strong means weak." Players try to act opposite of their hand strength.

Hand & Chip Movements
Shaky Hands When Betting Reliable
Player's hands tremble when putting chips in the pot.
Likely Means
Very strong hand (adrenaline)
Why
This is an involuntary response. Excitement about a big hand causes adrenaline release. Hard to fake.
Aggressive Chip Handling Moderate
Player forcefully splashes chips into pot, makes loud noises.
Likely Means
Bluff (acting strong)
Why
"Strong means weak." Theatrical aggression is often compensation for a weak holding.
Eyes & Face
Quick Glance at Chips Reliable
Player looks down at their chip stack immediately after seeing cards or board.
Likely Means
Strong hand (planning bet)
Why
Subconscious preparation to bet. They're already thinking about how much to win.
Prolonged Eye Contact Moderate
Player stares you down after betting.
Likely Means
Bluff (intimidation attempt)
Why
"Strong means weak." Genuine confidence doesn't need to assert itself. They want you to fold.
Avoiding Eye Contact Moderate
Player looks away, at TV, at phone — anywhere but at you after betting.
Likely Means
Strong hand (trying to look disinterested)
Why
"Weak means strong." They're faking disinterest hoping you'll call.
Speech & Conversation
"You Should Fold" Reliable
Player explicitly tells you to fold or says something like "big hand."
Likely Means
Bluff (reverse psychology)
Why
With a real big hand, why encourage a fold? They want you to think they're bluffing so they can get caught later.
Sudden Silence Moderate
A normally talkative player goes quiet during a hand.
Likely Means
Big hand (concentration)
Why
They're focused on maximizing value. Can't afford to leak information through speech.

⚠️ Context Is Everything

Tells are player-dependent. What's a bluff tell for one player might be genuine nervousness for another. Always establish a baseline for each opponent before relying on tells. Watch them in hands they're not involved in to see their normal behavior.