Poker Busto - Poker Busts and Beats

Howard gives insight into preparing and playing in a 8,000 player poker tournament.
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Andy explains why watching poker on television shouldn’t be your only source for knowledge.
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David Daneshgar outlasted a field of 2,693 to win the second-to-last no-limit event of the 2008 World Series of Poker, Event #52, $1,500 No-Limit Hold’em. With lifetime earnings in excess of $1.6 million, over 50 tournament cashes…

Keeping with the subject of tells and chips, poker players can give themselves away in a number of other ways, just by the way they behave with their chips. For example, a player may dart a quick look between the flop and his or her chips if the Flop helps out his or her hand. Sometimes, when a player glances repeatedly at their hole cards if the flop is showing a potentially winning pattern, which may suggest that they are trying to decide whether and not any of their cards connect with the emerging hand. These tells, which are generally not only involuntarily, but completely subconscious gestures, are yet another reason why so many poker players wear sunglasses and hats.

The Swedish Government has declined the option for an international poker network that would be in direct competition with the government run Svenska Spel. The government’s stance is based on the idea that if they put together players at the state run site, it would guarantee larger prize pools and keep players from playing at online places that are “less socially responsible.” While the decision sounds final it will be up for review in 18 months and could be overturned. The decision was based on a recommendation that came from the Swedish National Institute of Public Health.

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House Committee to look at poker bill
Presidential candidates rated by Poker Players Alliance…

For this installment of how to tell a tell, we are going to take our focus away from poker players themselves – sort, at least. You know, poker chips are an extremely important part of the game – well, of course they are. They’re your livelihood, after all; they represent how much you’ve won, how much you’ve lost – and how long you can still play! A player’s behavior where his or her poker chips are concerned can be very indicative of the kind of player he or she is. Generally speaking, if a player keeps sloppy stacks, he or she is an aggressive, confident player; if he or she keeps them in a neat, tidy stack, that points to conservative playing. During play, someone with a good hand may be very nonchalant and indifferent when tossing chips in the pot, indicating a player who is sure he or she will win. If someone has a bad hand and few chips, you may notice him or her playing with them incessantly, as if afraid they will soon disappear.

Oh yes, we’re still on the subject of those telltale tells. Body language – your own and your competitors’ – is key in poker. Body language is an essential part of every day conversation, so of course it’s important in poker. If any of your fellow players are, to wit, pulling a Cory Hart, you can still pay close attention to their faces. Nervousness, excitement, anger – they all show in our facial expressions and movements as well as our eyes. It doesn’t have to be anything as obvious as a tic; a facial tell can be incredibly subtle, but if you pay close enough attention, you’ll catch the pattern. By the same token, be aware that other players may be reading your face too. Play with some buddies, see what they say about what you give away – you maybe be able to train yourself away from the behavior.

Sticking to the subject of tells, there are also several types of tells for all different types of things. First off, let’s discuss some of the tells to look for which give away a good hand:

If you or the players act indifferent or completely uninterested in the hand currently being played, watch out. If you’re the one doing this – stop it! And if your play partners are, be careful – they’ve got such a good hand, they’re trying very hard to act like they aren’t the least bit excited.

Shaking hands are another dead giveaway, and they signal an extremely good hand. Rapid breathing is yet another side; like shaking hands, it is hard to control, and usually points to one of those hands you only give once or twice in a lifetime.

Back to the subject of tells – how can you tell a tell? What do you need to look for, exactly? For starters, eyes are the big thing; eyes are the key – that’s why you see so many poker pros acting like Cory Hart and wearing their sunglasses at night – or whenever. If one of your competitor’s is into this tactic, just try to follow where he’s looking. Whenever someone is shadeless, you’ve got an upper hand: study the way he plays, see if his eyes widen with a good hand, if they fall with a bad one, et cetera. Ask players about their cards – if they don’t look you right in the eye when they answer, chances are they’re lying.

Too many novice poker players think that they can’t fold; they think it’s a sign of weakness or a lack of ability. These false interpretations can make or break you during poker; they can mean the difference between a huge beat and a horrendous bust. Sometimes, you can learn more by watching than you can by playing. Play every hand, and your partners are going to see weak spots of which they can easily take advantage. If they think you’re determined to play every hand, they’ll quickly learn to bait you. Besides, some hands just aren’t worth the money you’ll lose. Don’t be afraid to fold – your partners will then see that you play crafty, and they’ll start taking your game seriously.