Poker is game involving not only chance, luck, and strategy, all defined by specific rules, but it requires the involvement of a number of psychological maneuvers as well. Covert as well as overt reactions to the cards being dealt as well as different moves in the game can be used by players to obtain information about their opponents’ cards and strategies. These indicators are often referred to as poker tells and they help seasoned players to mask their own emotions while reading those of others to gain an upper hand in the game. In this article we shall discuss some of the common indicators in poker that can be used to gain an edge over the opponents by inferring extra information about their hand.

The posture of the person, both the physical carriage as well as its accompanying attitude can be used to determine the person’s frame of mind. If the player has received a bad hand of cards or is in danger of losing the round you might notice his shoulders beginning to droop and his whole body slumping down in the seat. Strong players on the other hand sit in an upright and focused manner, intent on following the game and their opponents’ moves. Also, the posture can be used to determine who is bluffing and who is reacting sincerely. Those players who bluff a lot often sit too rigidly or too casually and keep leaning in towards the table center in an engaging way or sighing a lot. Usually, an extreme reaction can be understood to be a faked one.

Another indicator of the playing style can be seen in the manner in which people stack their poker chips. While these indicators are a broad categorization and cannot be applied to every individual, they are often accurate as they are indicative of the personality type. Psychologically it is derived that people who tend to play in an assertive and hard-line but disorganized manner place their chips in messy, haphazard stacks. Conversely, people with exacting personalities and an eye for detail keep their stacks in a tidy and organized manner which is reflective of their playing styles as well. People who maintain careful stacks are more likely to play a traditional game, conforming to established rules. Those with loosely stacked chips are more likely to make instinctive and unsystematic moves during the game.

more..

I mean look at this. Top pair no kicker versus flush draw and two overcards and they put in a million dollars. The sick part is that Sam Farha has Patrik Antonius in bad shape – yet not getting lucky when they run it multiple times… Too bad for Sammy!

She’s looking so so so so sexy. Vanessa Rousso was playing, but is now on the rail after busting out — rooting for her LUCKY boyfriend Chad Brown.

I hated that turn card, but was very happy with what he showed.

Full Tilt Poker Game #11832499326: $11 + $0.50 Heads Up Sit & Go (88726862), Table 1 – 15/30 – No Limit Hold’em – 11:39:24 ET – 2009/04/23
Seat 1: loldonkaments (1,710)
Seat 2: minetgregory (1,290)
loldonkaments posts the small blind of 15
minetgregory posts the big blind of 30
The button is in seat #1
*** HOLE CARDS ***
Dealt to loldonkaments
loldonkaments raises to 90
minetgregory calls 60
*** FLOP ***
minetgregory bets 180
loldonkaments raises to 720
minetgregory calls 540
*** TURN ***
minetgregory checks
loldonkaments bets 900, and is all in
minetgregory calls 480, and is all in
loldonkaments shows
minetgregory shows
Uncalled bet of 420 returned to loldonkaments
*** RIVER ***
loldonkaments shows two pair, Queens and Tens
minetgregory shows a pair of Fives
loldonkaments wins the pot (2,580) with two pair, Queens and Tens
minetgregory stands up
loldonkaments stands up
*** SUMMARY ***
Total pot 2,580 | Rake 0
Board:
Seat 1: loldonkaments (small blind) showed and won (2,580) with two pair, Queens and Tens
Seat 2: minetgregory (big blind) showed and lost with a pair of Fives

Donkaments.info is basicly me being a poker-nerd, talking poker and sharing poker stuff. I’m not a poker genius, nor am I a huge online poker winner — but I manage to scrape out a winning and enjoy talking about poker with my friends a lot.

Therefore, I decided me talking about poker with the internet might be a good idea too.

Anyway – enjoy my blog — I’m sure I’ll enjoy writing it. STAY TUNED!