The psychology of poker is an intricate subject just in and of
itself. There are entire books written about it. The foundation of this “art” is
what is known as the “tell.” A “tell” is some
type of physical clue as to what your opponent is thinking. As your
playing becomes more advanced, you may notice players using “false
tells,” in order to throw off an opponent.
Watch the Eyes: Your opponents’ eyes can indicate a lot about what
they’re thinking. Take notice to the length of time with which they
inspect their hand. Often times people will stare at strong hands; likewise,
just taking a quick glance means that player is more likely to fold.
Facial Expression: Signs of nervousness or sadness, on a person’s
face, likely indicates a weak hand; just as signs of happiness may indicate
a strong hand. Pay particular attention to “tics,” such as
blinking or scrunching of eyes.
Overacting in the Opposite: This is when a player feigns disinterest
in a strong hand, or raises very aggressively while bluffing. This is
more common with beginners.
Signs of Anxiety: Anxiety is a physiological response to confrontation.
If a player is holding a big hand, they may show signs of anxiety. These
include: dry mouth, dilation of pupils, and increase in heart rate. Anxiety,
unfortunately, can also be a sign that the player is bluffing. What is
more important is their pattern.
Patterns in Betting Habits: This is the most assured way to access an
opponent. Take notice to when they raise, call, etc., and when they fold
or call afterwards.
Body Posture: The two things to look for here are: sitting forward and
slouched shoulders. Sitting forward is an indication of a strong hand;
while slouched shoulders are an indication of a weak hand.
