Re: Poker Tells
 

I only play small stakes with bad players, so this list would not apply to stronger games:

* hands shaking when someone has a monster
* throat clearing while betting indicates strength (usually)
* People to my left preparing to act (hands held and ready to muck, chips in hand ready to bet)
* heavy breathing when someone is excited about their hand
* betting/folding out of turn
* trying to raise when they are first to bet (my all-time favorite tell)

Re: Poker Tells
 

Also an auto check normally means a bet will make them fold! Auto check/fold is used alot when players have nothing.

Don

Re: Poker Tells
 

After a while (probably too long) of trying to figure out pauses and what the action after them meant each time, I've found it to be very reliable to believe any action is indicative of hand strength (maybe 90-95 percent of the time). The pause also tends to be done more by less experienced players. I don't find it that useful a play myself, seems like people largely ignore the pause and just act like they were going to anyway.

Re: Poker Tells
 

When a player immediately checks his hole cards, after the flop, to see if he has a flush draw, I like to hammer bets at him, knowing he will call to draw to his hand (especially if he is a weak player)