The top poker players in the world understand that body language is one of the most important aspects of winning. Knowing when a player is trying to bluff you and steel your poker chips can be the difference between winning and loosing. At the same time, when you decide to bluff, you must understand which tells to avoid in order to successfully pull of your bluff. The following is a list of some important things to remember about tells and body language.

1. Acting strong when you're weak, acting weak when you're strong: This is probably the most common tell in poker. For some reason almost all players will do this at some point. They key is to mix it up and remembering not to overdo it. So remember to watch for this.

2. Remember to breathe: Often when people make a big bluff or when they are very nervous, they are so excited that they forget to do something very important, breath. Next time someone goes all in on you and you notice that they are not breathing, usually this indicates a bluff. So when you decide to bluff, remember to keep breathing,

3. Eyes on the flop: Commonly when a player has a weak set of cards, and you notice them staring at the flop, they are normally trying to figure out what outs they may have, or if it is possible for them to make a hand. So when you see players starring at the flop, this usually indicates a weak hand.

4. Looking away: When you notice a player looking away it is a result of two different scenarios. Either they are not interested in the hand because they don't have anything, or they have a very strong hand and want to avoid eye contact. More often though it is a result of them having a very strong hand. Conversely when a player stairs you down, it usually means they have a weak hand.

5. Watch the hands: Keep and eye on the hands of your opponent when they are making a bet. If you notice that they are shaking and seem to be nervous, this is usually an indication of a strong hand. When you are bluffing, you are normally very rigid and keep your hands steady. So if you see the hands shaking, get out of the hand.

6. Be worried: Next time you have the nuts, be worried! Not worried of loosing, but that you will play the hand wrong and that you won't get paid off. Worrying about not getting paid may make you seem nervous and may come across that you are bluffing, and increase the odds of getting called.

7. Squeeze the cheeks: Again, next time you are holding the nuts, try to squeeze you rear end as tight as you can. This uncomfortable position that you are putting yourself in may convey that you are nervous about getting called and may increase the odds of getting paid off.

8. Know where your chips are: Have you ever had a great hand and in being so excited you knocked over you stack of poker chips when reaching for them. By the time you pick them all up you look up and see that everyone has folded. Know where your chips are and make sure that you don't knock them over next time you make a strong hand.

9. Keep tells quiet: Once that you have figured out your opponents tells, keep them quiet and never let them know that you have figured it out.

About the author:



Scott Davis is the co-owner and operator of Southern Gaming Solutions, llc, a leading online distributor of high casino-quality poker chips, poker tables and general poker accessories.