If you’ve been following this series then you know the tells for when someone is pretending to be strong when they’re actually pretty weak, what a certain betting motions mean, and that the image of Mike Caro and a blowjob is a running gag. And if you didn’t read the two previous articles (part 1 & part 2), then you just became a victim to my sadistic sense of humor. Haha!
Can you tell that he's not telling the truth?
For this, the last part of the general tells series, I’ve promised a list of tells that are actually intentional ruses. When you see these tells, you’ll know for certain that the player that they belong to is an actor who is acting. So, without further adieu, I present…
TOP ALMOST-TEN ARTIFICIAL TELLS
The Shrug
If a player shrugs while betting, like, “oh I don’t know if I want to bet but I’m doing it anyway,” he is actively trying to hide the strength of his hand. Fold, or call if you have a powerful hand. Don’t raise without the stone cold nuts.
Folding Out of Turn
When an experienced player is trying to actively show weakness by folding out of turn, don’t play against him without a particularly good hand. He’s setting a trap.
Look Away!
If another player bets, the artificial reaction is for a player to look away from the bet because he’s trying not to discourage or challenge the bettor. Why? Because he has a great hand. Don’t put anymore money in the pot without a strong hand and if you were the original bettor, you might have to abandon the pot.
Eyeing Left
A player who is looking to the left (away from the action) doesn’t want to intimidate the bettors who precede him. If you were going to put the first bet and see this, check and let him bet. Don’t play with a medium hand.
Flop Sweat
After looking at the flop, a player with a great hand might immediately look away from the pot and the action. That player doesn’t want to appear threatening, which means he’s got a great hand. If you have a strong hand, try to let him bet for you. Whatever you do, don’t you dare bluff.
I’m Over Here
When the player looks slightly away from the pot and action, he’s trying not to discourage a bet. Look for this very subtle tell, because it’s probably much more likely from an experienced player than any of the other overt abandonment signals. Regardless, don’t bet moderately strong hands and you’ll need a big hand to call. Expect to be shown a real hand.
Um… All-In!
In no limit hold’em, if a player uses one of the other non-intimidation signals and then hesitates before going all-in, he’s trying to convince the original bettor that it was a difficult decision—it wasn’t. Call only if you can beat the minimum playable hand for that player in this position. For the record, if the decision were actually tough, the player would be hesitant to advertise it so dramatically.
Psychic!
OK, so I know I rounded up on that “Almost Ten” stuff. So what? You’re still way caught up on every little intricate move that a person could make at the poker table and what they all mean. More importantly, you’re ready to pounce on the uninitiated. Happy hunting!
