How to Win at Poker: Reading Body Language
An Article Giving Tips on Reading Opponents Movements
Sep 27, 2009
Poker is growing greatly in popularity. through films such as 'The Cincinnati Kid' and 'The Sting' peoplpe throughout the world are wishing to be able to toy with chips through their fingers, hide their expressions behind stacks reaching to the ceiling and cash in on their ability to read and predict others.
Although poker is by its very nature very hard to predict and very tough to earn a living from, there are certain methods, such as the reading of body language, which can give a player an edge against an opponent. There are several online poker blogs and websites offering 'tips and tricks in poker'. This article attempts to bring some of that information together and looks into 6 different common signals which are given sub-consciously by many poker players within game situations.
1: Disinterest Shown in Poker Game
Feigning disinterest in a hand often suggests that the player has a hidden gem in hand, they are in a very strong state and will attempt to convince other players they are drifting out of concentration and therefore potentially more likely to let money slip through them. This use of body language in poker is often very noticeable in amateur and inexperienced players, . However, of course, it must be considered that if playing against a professional or very experienced player, they may genuinely be almost arrogantly disinterested and simply wish to collect their chips already.
2. Leaning Forward During Hand
Players who commonly slouch or settle comfortably in their chair throughout a match can often reveal great excitement and/or consideration within a specific hand if they suddenly sit-up or lean inwards. This gives a psychological indication that they may be trying to ‘take a look at’ his opponents and sub-consciously weigh up their position. Therefore sudden leaning forward in a game or sitting suddenly upright can indicate that a player has a strong hand and is determined to see it through.
3. Glancing At A Hand
This subtle indication can show that a player is waiting and hoping for beneficial cards to fall. For example the player might have a potential flush and therefore need a glance for Lady Luck. However as with most of these indication it can be falsely used by players in order to suggest potential they may not have.
4. Shaking Fingers and Hands
Shivering and shaking is one of the hardest signs to pick out as it can mean several different things. The one obvious answer is that a player is nervous about a hand, that it will cost them a great deal to lose and perhaps they are not over-confident about an outcome, this could therefore suggest further raises and tempting them to lose greater money would be beneficial. However it could also indicate the increased heart-rate of excitement at a fantastic hand. Therefore it is a good plan to link the body language of trembling to the hand which is currently being played. If there is a potential flush of full house, perhaps the person with trembling hands has some high potential and is dreaming of walking away successful, however if the deal seems to be somewhat limited perhaps the player is indeed worried over their future and fears that it could be the end of them.
5. Freezing During Hand
Often seeing a player freeze and appear to keep still throughout a hand can indicate that they are somewhat aware of giving away body language cues and therefore wish to conceal any information they could give away. However this in itself can be a great indication that have something strong to protect. A player who suddenly tries to conceal their potential may well have just become much stronger than in previous
6. Conversation
Different players show different tactics when it comes to conversation. Some will talk throughout a game, some will pick conversations completely irrelevant to the game, some will jokingly guess and jostle at others hands. Whereas some will stay silent, deep set in concentration. Therefore it is hard to read body language cues from a player’s conversation.
However one clear indication often let-slip by amateurs is a sudden change in rate of conversation. For example a player who suddenly starts to talk, suddenly starts laughing at jokes or pushing the game forward is likely to have found confidence in a strong hand. Whereas a player how is normally talkative may go silent and thoughtful during a crucial hand.
Conclusion
As always with body language tactics, although they are often at a sub-conscious level and are therefore very common in most 'unlearned' people, they are not 100% reliable. People with knowledge of body language may well try to double-bluff by using body language to their advantage, or on occasion people just do odd things and do not follow by the commonest rules. So it is inadvisable to bet a mortgage or a car on the basis of body language, however it can help boost winnings if used against unsuspecting opponents.
An interested reader may wish to read about how to read body language of the eyes
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