Virtual Poker Tells

Written By BlackBearPoker on Jan 13 in poker news

What drives poker? Is it the fall of the cards or the fall of the players?

It’s both, of course. In fact, human interaction and behavior play more of a role in live poker as well as online poker than most players realize. Experienced poker players may think they are in control of their tells, but many physical actions that reveal tells are done subconsciously, and can be applied to both the live game as well as the virtual one.

There are a few ways to study online poker opponents, even without ever seeing their face. Just to name a couple, the speed in which players check, raise, etc. can indicate whether or not the player is bluffing or has a legit hand (this is also an indication of third party software, by the way).

Another way specifically to study your avatar opponents, is to notice (not interact nor be distracted by) the chat box. Like table talk at a live game, there are certain things to look for in the online poker room chat box.

Chatty opponents = loose opponents. Players who constantly jabber in the chat box are not serious about the game and are not paying close attention to the game. These players may miss something—pay attention and take advantage when they do.

If a player suddenly types something outrageous or extremely peculiar, this is another weak ploy to cause a distraction, from a bluff no doubt. Again, take advantage of the diversion while the rest of the table is surprised. Don’t waste time trying to figure it out. Instead, try to categorize it in one of these three categories in order to benefit from the tell:

1) Normal chat (unique to each player)
2) Distraction Chat
3) Abnormal Behavior (unusual for a character’s normal chat action).

An example of Abnormal Behavior chatting would be if a usually chatty player suddenly stops chatting, maybe even mid-thought. This player’s hand requires him to sit up and pay attention. In live poker, a sudden withdraw from table talk points to a bluff if the player is not consistently in control, but online it could mean either bluff or good hand. You can probably tell based on the previous behavior of the player once you’ve been studying chats more.

In fact, a regular online poker player can hone this skill of chat box interpretation and eventually do it instinctively. He can then learn when to read the silences and pauses as well.

If a player is just plain rude to his opponents 99% of the time, but suddenly offers a compliment or polite word, he’s bluffing! This is one of those tells that he has no idea he is sending. He wants to keep up his consistent chatter, but at the same time, he doesn’t want to risk his opponents calling him out of mere spite.
The bottom line here is don’t chat—it runs a direct tell line straight to you and not to mention, it distracts your card play. Don’t pay attention to the chat box or get caught up in it. Learn to read it mindlessly, so that while everyone else is typing, reading, and comprehending, you are playing poker.