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One of the reasons multi-player poker games like Texas Hold ‘Em are so exciting and dramatic is the element of conscious deception. Many players will try to actively bluff their way to victory, or at least present a blank façade so that they do not give anything away. However, it is possible for you to see through this masquerade. It is true that PokerStar people have unique gestures and body language, and as far as this is true, it is very difficult if not impossible to ‘read’ strangers. However, there are still some very common gestures and signs that you can use to read other players, even if you do not know them very well. These involuntary signs are called, in poker lingo, “tells.” They are discussed below.

Signs a Player is Holding Something Good

· A nonchalant or disinterested expression

· Shaking or trembling hands as the player puts down chips

· Quick, agitated breathing—a harder thing to control than shaking hands, and thus a better indication of what a players is really feeling

· Looking at his/her own chips after getting a look at his/her cards: a good sign that folding due to a bad hand is the last thing on this player’s mind

· A voice that is slightly higher than it usually is—hope you get a talkative opponent who might give himself/herself away in this manner

Signs That a Player is in Trouble

· Holding his or her breath—once again, breathing is one of the hardest tells to control voluntarily. If a player appears to be holding his or her breath, assume that he or she is bluffing.

· An aggressive facial expression or stare—poker players often assume an expression opposite to their situation, so if they try to look intimidating, assume their position is weak

Other Body Language Tips

· There is a sort of everestpoker stereotype regarding the way people arrange their chips. If the chips are arranged in an orderly way, the person is probably going to approach the game conservatively. If the chips are messy, he or she is probably aggressive and prone to bluffing.

· If the person keeps rechecking his or her own cards, it is possible that he or she is holding out for a flush draw and is hoping not to miss it.

Now, taking advantage of poker tells is not just about trying to read the signs of others. You should also try to prevent opponents from reading you. Below are some tips.

How to Mask Your Own Tells

· Many professional poker players accessorize to hide their tells. They wear sunglasses, visors, or hats. Consider wearing these, unless you worry about appearing too hardcore.

· Resist the urge to look at your own hand again and again. Look at your cards once and try to remember them, so your opponents cannot read your intentions in your repeated glances.

· Be careful not to overact. Acting the opposite of what you really feel is so common in poker that many players just assume that everyone is acting or bluffing.