Online Poker Tells

Even though you can't actually see the players you're playing against, you can still pick up some tells at online poker sites. Some aren't quite as reliable as live poker tells, but these tells will still help you make your decisions at the table.

Preselect Buttons

Preselect buttons are where most of online poker tells come from. The first we'll discuss is the instant check. If you check to your opponent, and he checks instantly, then he probably had check/fold preselected. Since your opponent was going to fold to any bet, he most likely has nothing, and you should bet out on the next card.

Another one of the preselect buttons that give us information is the raise any button. If there is a bet, and your opponent raises instantly, then he most likely had the raise any button selected. If that is the case, put some extra emphasis on his raise, because he was going to raise regardless of what happened. This is a sure sign of a strong hand, unless your opponent is playing like a maniac and raising every single bet, which you'll often see at the lower limit tables.

Check/Insta-Call

Another great online tell is if your opponent checks, then calls a bet instantly. If there are any draws on the board, beware, because it is very likely that your opponent has a draw. When they checked, they wanted to see the next card, and then when you bet they called instantly because they want to see the next card so bad. It is all but a sure sign that your opponent has a weak hand, but a great draw.

One signal of a monster hand is as follows. If you are involved in a big pot, and you make a big bet, your opponent has to make a decision. If they think for a long time, then make a large raise, you can be sure they're holding a monster. They took all that time thinking to make you think they had a weak hand, when in reality they have a strong hand. Unless you have a monster hand, you should fold in this situation.

Since online poker is not face to face, there are fewer tells then live poker. However, you can still pick up information by using the tips recommended above. Go out and hit the tables, good luck!