The Physical Poker Advantage of Tells
Probably the biggest difference in strategy between playing online poker and playing at a physical poker table is the presence of tells.
In online poker, you can’t spot a tell even if you are the greatest mentalist in the world, because you can’t see your opponent. They be pumping their fists begging you to call, or pleading at the computer screen begging you not to call.
With online poker, you have to bring all your knowledge about strategy and game theory to be successful; playing in a casino, you need all that and a little bit of understanding about human psychology.
While I think tells are overrated to some degree, there are usually no magic “tell all” tells like the movies make it out to be, but knowing how human beings generally sit or shift or twitch when they are in positions of power or weakness is helpful.
To that end, there is a seminar devoted to spotting physical tells during the World Series of Poker Academy seminar Nov. 7 and 8 at Caesars Palace, Las Vegas. The instructional camp, incidentally, precedes the final table of the 2008 World Series main event set for Nov. 9 and 10. One of the tips, according to a former FBI agent giving a lecture who was quoted in newspaper article, is if someone reclines in their seat and splays their limbs out after pushing all in. It’s what is called a “territorial display” and what we do when we’re strong.
Interesting stuff, and I’d be curious to learn what other tips are taught at the event.
