Online Tells

Here is an article that I have read that maybe of use to some of our members
Online Tells


Introduction
Tells include acts, gestures and other mannerisms that a poker player displays when trying to disguise the strength of their hand. While many tells may be subconsciously executed, they are nonetheless subject to interpretation by opponents. A lot of players exhibit the same kind of tell, so the trick is learning to distinguish its implications accordingly since it's meaning for one player can easily differ from that of another player.

In a live game, players can say various things, act weak when they are strong, throw chips in the middle, look away, stare at you, and so forth, but all of their actions say something about their hand. How can you pick up on these subtleties when playing online? The answer is: you can't. Nonetheless, there are a few tells that are useful to know when playing online.

The Most Common Online Tells
Online tells are almost always related to the speed with which an opponent acts. For example, online it is possible to use the "in turn" buttons or you can wait until it is your turn to act and click on the desired button. When using the "in turn" buttons, a player can select "check/fold" or "bet/raise" before the action gets to them. There is clear distinction in speed between these two methods of acting and, in certain situations, it can provide you with advantageous information.

Here is a list of the most common online tells:

The insta-call after you bet: Most players who call your bet immediately have a weak calling hand. These players want you to believe they have a stronger hand and hope that you will not bet into them again.

The delayed check: Most players who take longer than normal to check to you do not want you to bet. They are attempting to display strength because they want to see the next card for free.

The delayed bet: When an opponent thinks for a long time and then bets, they are usually holding a strong hand. They want you to believe they are weak so that you will call/raise.

The insta-bet/raise on the river (Texas Hold'em): The player who utilizes this move will usually be holding a very strong hand. By raising or betting so quickly, they are trying to make you think they are bluffing. This move can also be used on the turn and generally, though not as frequently, denotes strength.

The insta-check: A player sitting in late position who uses the "in turn" check/fold button is usually weak. Often, they are playing at multiple tables and are hoping to save time by using the "in turn" buttons.

The bet into on the turn (Texas Hold'em): When a player has checked and called on the flop and then bets into you on the turn, it usually indicates weakness. This type of bet often means that they picked up a draw or that they are semi-bluffing with a draw they picked up on the flop. Strongly consider raising even though you might be bluffing yourself.

Please mention the author of this article.

The one tell I noticed in cash games is when a player pushes their whole stack in after the river and it is like way way more than the pot. Say the pot is like $40 and they have $80 in front of them.

10 times out of 10 they hold the nuts or an unbeatable hand, and try to get paid off when they should be betting for value on the river. You see this more at .25/.50 levels though.

The only one I strongly disagree with is the instant call. The author is disregarding the size of the raise and the tightness of the opposing player.

In tournies one thing you find often is the all in move post flop. To me it indicates a player with a top pair when the board is full of low cards ( ex. 2 7 10) and less likely a monster hand. This obviously varies depending on the style of player and preflop raises, but it's something I see consistently.

I agree with some of it but there are so many other reasons someone might call or raise slow online. Besides connection problems alot of people play several tables at the same time and some time they just like to piss you off and make you wait. LOL

With apologies to Abe Lincoln, You can tell some of the people some of the time , all of the people none of the time.

I have found some of those gestures to be true, however, some people
just have the nuts and suck you in, even with those pauses or fast raises.
Some good points though.

i play tight; but first hands at a sit&go, or when i move to a new table at a multi table tournament, if i catch a good hand like set or straight or flush, i push without fearing, most of times somebody calls thinking that i bluff. most of times i win a good pot. in those situations people tend to think that their opponent is bluffing by raising high. this is maybe a reverse online tell

After reading this i guess i kinda sub-conciously picked these up anyway so nothin new but could of done with reading this about a year ago!!

so, it they wait a long time it means they have a weak hand so they wait a long time because they have a strong hand and want you to think it is weak. and in other words you can tell zilch about such a pause.

I don't see how there is a such thing as an online tell.
only the timing of your oppenent/s can give anything away
bet amount can be 1 thing/but even that means nothing.
there is over 1 million donkeys out there.I have an online tell.
when im all in..you better FOLD.

online tells are about as reliable as a beach on the north pole. the only tells close to reliable online are players that use the auto check features that may give you some idea but you still cant be sure.