Signs your opponent is weak

Bloggers / Matthew Pitt / 05 October 2009 / Leave a Comment

There have been a number of articles on these pages discussing live tells to spot when at the poker table. Most of the tells described have been when your opponent is either very strong or has given an indication they know what they are doing so I thought I would mention some tells to look out for that show your opponent is weak or low on confidence.

It is no coincidence that Disney made Pinocchio's nose grow when he told lies as blood rushes to our noses when we lie! With this increased blood flow, it is natural to touch or scratch the nose so keep your eyes peeled for this obvious tell. In extreme cases people's noses may swell or become red though this is quite rare. You should be cautious with this tell though as it is well-known and obvious so savvy opponents may scratch their nose as a reverse tell.

Watch out for players changing their posture when the community cards are dealt. A player who leans away from the table is trying to get away from the cards as he or she simply does not like them. It is a natural reaction and very difficult to prevent. Think about a time when you have faced a big decision at the table, have you leant back in your chair to contemplate your actions? You did so to try and distance yourself from that particular decision as you were uncomfortable making it.

Although they are beneath the table, your feet can give away vital clues to how you are feeling. If someone is uncomfortable with their surroundings or situation they will tend to put more weight onto their toes as if they are about to sprint. This is the "fight or flight" response in humans and though very difficult to spot at the table for obvious reasons,you may catch on to this by seeing a player bouncing their leg, shuffling their feet or moving them around when you're sat next to them.

Try and listen to what your opponents are saying to you. People do not like to be caught lying so tend to try and distance themselves like when they lean away from the table. To cover their lie they may start to refer to themselves or their action in the third person so it is not really them that are lying but his newly created alter-ego. Also be aware of any discrepancies between what a player is saying and what their expressions are telling you. A classic and extreme example would be someone informing you they do not like their hand despite arched eyebrows and a slight, wry smile.

There are literally dozens of low confidence tells to look out for but we are rapidly running out of space here! If you want to read more into the psychology behind certain actions search for a book by Joe Navarro called "Read'em and Reap" who is a former FBI agent who explains body language at the poker table and you should be able to pick it up for less than £10 at most online book stores. That £10 spent could win or save you much more in the long run if you are a regular live player.

Live Tells - The Hands
Live Tells - The Chip Glance