Poker tells: what beginners give away (online and live)
A tell is a habit that gives away information about your hand. Live, tells are physical: shaking hands, staring, talking. Online, tells come from timing and bet sizes. Most beginners give away far more than they think, and fixing a few habits makes you much harder to read.
Common live tells
Section titled “Common live tells”- Shaking hands when betting: often a sign of a strong hand, because of excitement.
- Looking at chips right after seeing the flop: the player may be planning to bet.
- Acting strong when weak: big talk, staring you down or tossing chips aggressively is often a bluff.
- Acting weak when strong: sighing, shrugging or “I guess I’ll call” can hide a monster.
- Checking hole cards again when a flush-suit card comes often means they don’t have that suit.
Tells are tendencies, not rules. Watch how a specific player behaves with hands you later see at showdown.
Common online tells
Section titled “Common online tells”- Instant check or call: often a medium or weak hand without a plan.
- Long pause then a big bet: can be a real decision or an act; watch the player over time.
- Bet sizes that change with hand strength: some players bet small with draws and big with made hands.
- Auto-actions: pre-selected check/fold buttons make actions look instant.
How to avoid giving tells
Section titled “How to avoid giving tells”- Take the same amount of time for most decisions.
- Use consistent bet sizes, not sizes based on your hand strength.
- Look at your cards once and remember them.
- Stay quiet and still during hands; save the chat for later.
- Don’t show your cards when you don’t have to.
Don’t overrate tells
Section titled “Don’t overrate tells”For beginners, solid fundamentals matter much more than reading tells: starting hands, position and pot odds. Use tells as a small extra edge.
What is a tell in poker?
Section titled “What is a tell in poker?”A habit or behaviour that gives away information about the strength of a player’s hand.
Are there tells in online poker?
Section titled “Are there tells in online poker?”Yes. Timing, bet sizes and use of auto-actions can all reveal information.
Does shaking hands mean a bluff?
Section titled “Does shaking hands mean a bluff?”Often the opposite: shaking hands usually comes from excitement with a strong hand. Check how each player behaves over time.
How do I stop giving tells?
Section titled “How do I stop giving tells?”Take similar time for decisions, use consistent bet sizes, and stay calm and quiet during hands.