Online poker has in popularity over the past decade, thanks in large part to the convenience and accessibility it provides. No longer do you need to drive to a casino or round up a group of friends for a home game to get your poker fix. However, many players who cut their teeth in live poker games are skeptical about making the transition to online play. A major concern is the lack of physical tells – those involuntary actions that can give away the strength of an opponent’s hand. Without being able to see your opponent’s reactions, how can you get a read on them? While it’s true that online play denies you the ability to pick up on common life tells like shaking hands or nervous twitches, there are still plenty of behavioral tells that you can spot if you know what to look for. Mastering these online tells will give you a leg up on the competition.
Bet sizing and decision patterns
The way your opponents size their bets and make their decisions post-flop can also provide insight into their thought processes and intentions. Some patterns to look for:
- Large overbets – When a player bets a high amount on the flop or turn, they are often doing so with a draw or as a bluff. Look for spots to re-raise them.
- Check/call or check/check lines – Passive lines like check/calling or check/checking multiple streets typically indicate weak hands or an unwillingness to bluff.
- Firing multiple barrels – When opponents wager on the flop, turn, and river, they frequently have a premium hand or a balanced bluffing range. Keep your downlights to yourself.
- Bet sizing formula – Mechanical players will often use the same bet sizing formula each round. Identify these patterns so that you can exploit them.
Make note of opponents who fit into these betting tendencies and categories. By spotting the patterns, you can counter their styles more effectively once you’ve spotted the patterns.
Hud stats and online tells
The best advantage of qiuqiu onlineplay is the availability of statistical HUDs that track an opponent’s key stats like 3Bet, WTSD, AF, CB, etc. While a detailed explanation of each stat is beyond the scope of this article, here are a few of the most crucial stats to be mindful of:
- AF (Aggression Factor) – how often a player bets compared to checking. Higher AF means more aggressive.
- WTSD (Went to Showdown) – how often a player goes to showdown. Higher WTSD indicates more passive players.
- W$SD (Won $ at Showdown) – how often a player wins at showdown. Higher W$SD signifies a winning passive player.
- CB (Continuation Bet) – how often a player continuation bets the flop. Higher CB means more aggressive post-flop.
You should be able to see players’ tendencies through their HUD stats. If an opponent has a high AF, low WTSD, and high W$SD for example, they are almost certainly a solid, aggressive reg. Adapt accordingly. Pay attention to all the above factors: timing tells, chat tendencies, betting patterns, preflop play, and HUD stats. Soon you’ll be reading opponents like a book and maximizing your edge, even online.
