Poker Tells - How to Detect A Bluff

Learning to read other players is a crucial skill in poker. When a player makes a large bet, he/she may be bluffing. If this is the case, there are often what are called poker "tells" that tell you if the player is bluffing or not. Keep in mind pros and good players will actually send out fake tells to get you to stay in a hand they already know they have won. So, be careful you don't get stung because someone is a good actor. Generally, bluffs are detectable on novice to intermediate players. Here is a list of common tells.

Talking - a player who is bluffing may place a big bet and then start talking loudly about a non-poker related topic. The general rule is, silence means good cards, and talking a lot means a bluff or semi-bluff.

Biting of the Lip - this is pretty self-explanatory. Watch the persons face for nervous ticks or lip biting.

Hand over the mouth - This is a common tell, but also a casual resting position, so take note of players who always lean their chin on their hand regardless of betting.

Fidgeting hands - A player who has just bluffed will often release nervous tension by playing with his/her chips. Again, take note of players who do this all the time anyway.

Glancing at chip stacks - a player who has just bluffed is always worried about how many chips they have left. So for this reason, if you catch them glancing down at their chips in a moment of uncertainty, that is a good reason for you to believe they are bluffing.

Also note that players who get caught in a bluff are not likely to bluff again for awhile. So remember which players have been busted bluffing throughout the game and be careful when they bet big.

© 2005 - Varoujan Arman (Aces High -site moderator) All rights reserved.

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