The pandemic brought by the COVID-19 has affected our lives in more ways than one. Live poker has been affected badly as it is a social distancing nightmare.

Many players are now playing online and staying indoors, but playing online limits the things you can read from your opponent. How can you catch up due to this set-up?

Poker tells

A Poker tells is a change in a player’s behavior or demeanor that give us a clue to the player’s hands.

By observing and understanding your opponent, it gives the reader an advantage which could help the observer win.

Now that players are online and you can not easily view the players physically. Players are wondering can reading poker tells be applicable online?

Defining poker tells and how it is applicable to online poker.

Poker tells is the change of behavior or the lack of change in itself that gives information on the strength of the player or his hand.

Although a lot of the reading the actual hand strength base on physical change is lessen. There are still tells that can help you win against players.

Types of poker tells you can still read online

There are still tells you can read online, the type you can read from your opponent can actually be helpful. However, we would point out that it is not foolproof like reading live poker tells. 

Understanding if your opponent a casual or recreational player

Properly gauging your opponent’s true skill has been easier for some players. by measuring their skill set, you can create countermoves against their action.

Here are some tips to read your opponent’s skill set.

The chat box

The chatbox is actually a  big help in identifying poker players’ skills. A Grinder or a Pro will normally turn the chatbox off to avoid any distraction from playing, they are there to win and chatboxes are unwelcome.

You can also sometimes see players telling their hands or how they have long bad beat streak lately. Some may argue that the chatbox could be used to set a player up. In normal circumstances, the only reason you would want to set players up is either a long tournament or invite players to play a private online game. Pros would rather play on various tables than bother the chatbox. 

Table count

A recreational player would normally only play 1 or 3 tables, online grinders are playing more tables. Even a normal live streaming player would play more than 2 tables. just by looking at how many tables the players are playing can give you a clue on his playstyle.

Post flop bet sizing

Depending on the platform being used, some apps do have extra features like betting 3 times the pot. 

Recreational players tend to bring their playstyle on live-action to the online felt. Recreational players would usually bet 2 times the pot post-flop. 

This shows a lack of understanding of the math of the game and is typical of players who only play the game for fun.

Stack size and auto-rebuy.

Online players know the value of max sizing your buy-in, with ranges of games more available than live games. Pros would play on the right blinds on a max bet and will utilize the auto-rebuy When their chips fall into a specific level the auto-rebuy kicks in. 

Passive play

The calling a lot preflop and post-flop and then folding without going to showdown is one of the biggest signs of a recreational player.

The main difference between “live” and online is the number of hands you will be dealt with per hour. 

New players who tend to put their bad habits online will usually find it harder online as more hands are dealt with. You will be able to see how fast your stacks go down. Every call matters in the virtual felt as your option to see more hands are increased. 

Why it matters

Online and pro players like recreational players are both blinded by the fact you can not see your opponent. Hence their bases on the judgment are base on actions and cards.

Knowing your opponent is a grinder or a pro will give you tips on their playstyle. By knowing their playstyle it would help a lot in your game. 

Conclusion

Reading players tell to judge the hand strength may have been lessened but tells on the pattern can be more easily be monitored. 

There are a number of tools to track down a player or players, from a simple note to other legal apps to improve your game. 

Players do tend to give tells us they are basically human. although it is not 100% foolproof. A careful study of the players’ pattern can help you a lot to win online.