Shaking Hands – Usually means excitement from a strong hand, not weakness.
Staring at Chips Immediately – Often indicates they’re ready to bet (strong hand).
Protecting Hole Cards Quickly – Suggests they like what they’ve been dealt.
Eye Contact
Avoiding eye contact → often bluffing.
Excessive staring → often a bluff trying to look strong.
Posture Change – Sitting upright or leaning forward can signal interest in the hand.
Sighing / Slouching – Acting weak may actually mean strength (reverse tell).
Glancing at Board Cards – Quick look when a flush/straight card lands often signals they just hit.
Chip Handling –
Eager chip riffling → player has a playable hand.
Freezing hands → player is bluffing, doesn’t want to draw attention.
Betting Motion –
Smooth, confident motion → strong hand.
Hesitant or jerky → bluff.
Overtalking – Bluffers often talk too much to seem relaxed.
Silence – A sudden quiet can mean strength.
Statements of Weakness (“I’m not strong here,” “Guess I’ll donate”) – Usually strength (reverse tell).
Statements of Strength (“I’ve got the nuts,” “Don’t call”) – Often weakness, trying to scare calls away.
Tone of Voice – Higher pitch can betray nerves.
Big Overbet Suddenly – Often a bluff (trying to push players out).
Tiny “Blocking Bet” – Weak hand, trying to set a cheap price to see next card.
Check-Raise – Usually a sign of real strength.
Instant Call – Usually a draw, not a made hand.
Long Tank Then Call – Often weak; rarely strength.
Note: Smart players mix up their behavior, and some tells are faked (“reverse tells”). Don’t rely only on tells—use betting patterns first.