B & M Tells
 

i caught a replay of the 2004 main event, and Daniel Negreanu is faced with a tough call deciding wether to call an all in with top pair of queens with bottom kicker. He sits and thinks and then comes out of no where striking a conversation with the raiser. He asks him what country he is from and then goes on making jokes about European players. He ended up correctly folding.

My question is what did Daniel pick up from the conversation. In general, if the raiser is talking back at you does that mean he has a hand and if hes sitting still like moneymaker and not acknowledging you then hes beat? What specific tells can you pick up by starting a conversation? It doesnt seem like it would be reliable enough to go on, because a bluffer might act overly friendly.

Re: B & M Tells
 

I believe it has as much to do with the answer to the question "what country are you from". In the bigger international tournaments I've played in I definitely picked up on some differences between players from specific countries.

Re: B & M Tells
 

Striking up a converstion with another player who has just made a big bet can tell a lot. If he was bluffing he may have had trouble answering the question or stuttered. This is usually a sign of a bluff. If he can freely carry on a converstion and seems at ease with his hand is usually a sign of being very strong. When Daniel asked him what country the guy was from and the guy sat there and was able to freely talk to Daniel told him enough. If he was smart he should have sat there and not answered which may have induced a call.

Re: B & M Tells
 

If it had been anyone else he probably wouldn't have said anything. Daniel's celebrity does give him certain advantages.

Re: B & M Tells
 

[ QUOTE ]
If it had been anyone else he probably wouldn't have said anything. Daniel's celebrity does give him certain advantages.


[/ QUOTE ]

that is a very good point