ShastaBert's Online Poker Tips & Tells

Category:
Poker

Tips & Tells for Poker Online

Starting Hand
Ranks & Values

Playing Poker Online is definitely a "horse of a different color" compared to playing "live". It's much more difficult to "size up" your opponent when you can't look him in the eye or see the veins bulge in his neck. But there are still many, many ways to read your prey. Probably the most distinct online tell is the speed at which your opponent acts. For example, if a player Checks immediately he probably has a weak hand and just wants to see another card for free. However, if a player Checks immediately and then raises, He probably has the Nuts (or close to it) and was attempting to "Trap" you to bet into his strong hand. In the same token, if a player waits longer than usual to act and then Checks, he almost certainly has nothing and wants you to think he was contemplating a big hand or possibly just chickened out of a bluff. If he takes unusually long and then makes a strong bet then he probably does have a big hand. If he makes a small (or minimum) bet then he's usually fishing for information to find out where he stands in the hand. At that point it's up to you to determine whether you want to "play along" and string it out or give him the information he's looking for by making a large Raise and taking down the pot....

Play Online Poker

....right there. Remember, there are exceptions to every rule, especially when facing an experienced player that knows all the tells himself. Acting speed tells require the use of some common sense. Like in the case of the player who's been disconnected several times during the game. His slow actions are probably a product of his poor connection and can be chalked up to be just a "casuality of living in his Mother's basement". Also, try to watch for players that are playing more than one table at a time as his inconsistant actions may be caused by his demands on the other table(s). It's always up to you to "get to know" your opponents style of play and use that in your determination of his actions. I like to look up my opponents background of play on Sharkscope.com to get an idea of his skill level. They'll let you look up 5 people a day for Free and I certainly feel like it makes a difference.
Another good way to size up your opponents is to keep an eye on the chat box. Many players find it annoying and just turn off the chat but I think that's a big....

....mistake (as long as you can "not get involved" in debates and banter, that is).... Why you say? Because Fish can Talk! It's amazing how much useful information inexperienced players will give away. Like the person at the table that likes to talk and, all of the sudden, goes quiet as he limps into a hand, you know he just caught a monster! Or the table genius, who has read several poker books and feels the need to "show off" his knowledge. Instead of telling him to shut up like you want to, ask him a poker question and before you know it he'll have revealed his entire poker strategy to you. How much easier can it be to part him of his chips? Then there's always the "Tilting" player who, after a "bad beat", feels the need to abuse everyone at the table, including the virtual dealer (that one always cracks me up). Once you recognize a Tilt player that's using his anger instead of his brain it won't take long to get all of his chips. You just need a few decent cards to take full advantage of this one. So, now you know, the newbie and/or inexperienced player uses it as a "Table Chat" box and the Good, experienced players use it as a "listen & learn" box.
Of course, now that you have access to these weapons, you need to take a 180° look and be sure you're not giving away information with the exact methods..... in other words, Mix it Up, Mix it Up, Mix it Up!
You'll find me at Full Tilt Poker under the name "RiverHatesMe" or at
Poker Stars under the name "ShastaBert"....see you there!

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