Posted Sun Jun 12, 2005 11:50 am GMT by ZenBlender
Here's something I notice frequently while playing in a bar. Someone bets (usually a pretty substantial bet) and then almost immediately takes a drink from his beer. The drinking of the beer happens so soon after the bet that it seems like just another step in the betting process.
I am convinced this is a tell, but I'm not sure you can make any generalizations about it. Perhaps it is consistant for a given person, but different for each person.
My feeling is that psychologically, people often use a drink or a cigarette, or maybe even sunglasses, in a social situation to serve as something to hide behind. i.e. They put out the bet, but they aren't mentally optimistic about it, so they need something to hide behind and hope for a fold. The other thought that supports this as a bluff is that the person might be subconsciously realizing they need to finish the beer soon because they'll be going home.
I haven't had a good chance to verify this, but I was wondering if anyone else had any thoughts on this, or if anyone has noticed a pattern? Thanks!
Did you know that participating in a poker forum can help you improve your own game? Be it by sharing experiences or simply asking for help, participation in a forum helps you focus and keep 'on topic' which will help you improve your game. You can learn from other players feedback and from their experiences. Why the THP poker forums? We offer one of the best managed texas holdem poker forums available, and the community within is far more friendly than those typicaly found on other sites. We've made a 'lurkers edition' of the poker forum available here on Holdem Poker Online, but we encourage all visitors to register and join in on the conversations on TexasHoldem-Poker.com
Posted Mon Jun 13, 2005 11:44 am GMT by arras
I usually take a drink or scratch my neck when I've made a bet and I like my hand, but I am trying my hardest to fix that.
Posted Mon Jun 13, 2005 12:11 pm GMT by Fat Tony
this COULD be a tell, but it could also be that people take a drink because they have time to do so before the action is on them again.
Posted Mon Jun 13, 2005 12:59 pm GMT by ZenBlender
I don't think so. I'm talking about someone going for a swig IMMEDIATELY after the bet, i.e. in basically the same motion. Yesterday I witnessed someone doing this. He went all-in, immediately took a drink, and I was right -- when he was called he looked disappointed and turned over his cards, which I can't remember exactly, but it was a weak hand. In this case the tell held true -- immediate drink from the beer after big bet = bluff!
|
|
