Ten Top Poker Tells to Help You Improve Your Game.

All poker players show tells. While some of those tells are intentional acts put on to lure you in or out of the pot, other's are purely physical reactions and can not be fully disguised. This is why so many poker players try to cover their eyes with hats and sun glasses. Players who know those tells and can interpret them correctly can turn this knowledge to their advantage and not only read their opponents better but also protect their game and win more money. One of the golden rules of poker is "Observe Your Opponent". Being attentive to the behaviour of the other players at the table will help you make correct decisions. The basic of reading poker tells is understanding that when a player acts weak he has a strong hand, however when he acts strong it is usually a clue of a weak hand.

1. Shaking hands. This tell is a physical reaction and can never be faked successfully. So this is almost 100% guaranteed clue. When you see shaking hand beware that your opponent is holding some very strong hand and this is a body reaction to the release of tension.

2. Shrugging and Sad Voice. Those are deliberate acts. If you see a player shrugs and says "Oh I suppose I bet", your only response to that is "Yeah right". If the hand is that bad as the player is trying so hard to make you believe than why is he telling you about it?

3. Looking away. If you opponent is still in the hand and looks away pretending to be interested, ask yourself why he is risking his bet? This act is usually a sign that he has a very strong hand but wants you to believe otherwise and is hoping for your bet or even a raise. Don't bet as you are most likely to be raised. Your best tactics will be to check and if your get a bet, fold.

4. Change in breathing. This is another physical tell that is very hard to control. You can often hear this in players sitting next to you and see it in those sitting across the table. If you notice your opponent's chest rising and falling fast, beware that player has some very good cards. On the other hand if the player seems to be holding his breath. This is usually an indication of bluffing.

5. Staring at other player. This player is trying to intimidate you and show aggression however this act is a demonstration of a weak hand. So if you have a reasonable hand place your bet and you can be almost sure that you will not be raised.

6. Reactions after checking hole cards. When hole cards are dealt everyone is busy checking their own cards and players do not expect to be watched, so this is the best time to become attentive and look at your opponents and not your cards, your cards will be there a few seconds later. Have you caught a quick glance at the chip stack after a player seen his cards? Now you know that he liked what he saw and is planning a bet or a raise. If after that glance he looks away you can be sure he has some very good hand. Also pay attention how your opponents watch the flop, if you see someone looking at the flop for a long time this is usually an indication of a weak hand and pretence of interest in the hand or a calculation of possibilities. However a quick glance at the flop followed by looking away and you are guaranteed a monster hand.

7. Checking hole cards after a flop. This is usually a sign of a drawing hand; otherwise there is no need to check the cards.

8. Timing is the main clue when you play poker in online poker rooms. So keep an eye on it. If your opponent takes a long time to act and then raises at the last minute, don't be fooled that he got distracted, most often this is a sign of a very strong hand. If a call is followed after a long pause you should expect a very marginal hand.

9. Watch the chat. Players chat in online poker rooms just as they do in casinos and give out clues, so by getting to know your opponents chat patterns you will get a good indication of the strength or weakness of their hands. Just remember that acting big is a sign of a weak hand and acting small is the opposite.

10. Use of Action Buttons. In online poker software action buttons allow players to make an action before the betting round turns to them and increase the speed of the game. Such Action buttons include Fold, Call, Raise or Bet. If you see and immediate Action button Raise you know that this is a sign of a strong hand, as players who bluff very rarely use those. If you get an immediate action button call this is usually an indication of a weak hand.

The tells above are true whether you play live poker, online poker tournaments or ring games. Such tells are good indications of your opponents' strengths or weaknesses, however no tell is 100% accurate and should be used as an indication to support your decisions as an additional factor. It is better to read one opponent at a time as watching too many players at once can lead you missing vital information.