Betfair Official Blog

How To Spot A Pre-Shot Poker Tell

POKER pro Roy Winston gives more tips on spotting a player's tells:

Starting with size of bet, some players always raise the same amount. The thinking is that it's hard to obtain pattern information from this. While there is some truth to that it may also lead to a false sense of security. For instance the player that always raises 3 BB when they enter an un-raised pot might vary the way in which they put the money in, or how quickly they act when their turn comes. If a bet is barely put in versus thrown in forcefully, or neatly stacked, or moved in with both hands will at times relay a large amount of information.

"Equally as important is someone's time to act. Once it is their turn to act what is their 'cadence?' Does it change, or is it very consistent. I try to be so repetitive it's almost boring. I remember watching a story about Tiger Woods, and when he went through his pre-shot routing you could time it and it was always the same to the second. That stuck with me and I attempt to do the same thing.

"Jack Nicklaus said when a player's pre shot routine fell apart in the late stages of a tournament their game followed suit. Although golf and poker share little with regard to the physical performance, the mental side is somewhat similar."

Monotone and dull is best - which may explain why so many Americans are good at poker...

Online, you are all voiceless...

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