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Fearlessness
If I tell you that players who hold cinch winners are unafraid, you’ll say: So what? Everyone in the world knows that. True. But not everyone knows how players act at the poker table when they’re unafraid. For one thing, players who are fearless are more apt to engage in natural conversation. If someone’s holding a royal flush, you can ask him to comment on the politics of the day and he’ll be able to talk in a relaxed, rational manner.
Had he been bluffing, he’d be apt to either remain silent or force some hazy conversation. What he’d say would be less rational than usual. Don’t believe me? Try asking players questions after they’ve bet into big pots. The ones with the dynamite hands will talk freely; the ones with the vulnerable hands will either remain silent, force their speech or talk gibberish.
What else can I tell you about fearless players who are holding winning hands? Well, it turns out that they sometimes smile broadly. Hey, you’ve hung around this world for a number of years. You know as well as I do how to tell the difference between a forced smile and a broad genuine smile. When you see a genuine smile, figure the player is happy about his hand. When you see a player force a smile after betting, there’s a good chance he’s bluffing.
Similarly, any player who has a giggling fit is almost certainly not bluffing (except in a very small game where his fate doesn’t matter to him). A genuine giggle is hard to fake. Also, players have no motive to fake a giggle because, strangely enough, giggles don’t make their opponents pass; giggles bring attention and make opponents suspicious.
People who bet and continue to move about impatiently are apt to have big hands. Players who are bluffing don’t want to do anything that might trigger your call. Many bluffers feel instinctively that they must remain almost unmoving for fear of giving their hand away and getting called. Top online casinos give you the chance of playing any time you wish, play online poker, take part in tournaments and freerolls and win great prizes.
That’s why when you see a very animated player who has bet, you should figure he has a good hand. There is an exception: Some players will use motions and comments specifically designed to make you throw your hand away. When players act like they hold big hands, they deserve your call because they’re usually weak. But when they’re just being themselves, making movements and not trying to restrain themselves, it’s unlikely that they’re bluffing or even worried.
There is one peculiar habit displayed by some players who are unafraid. These are usually friendly players who after betting may make some gruff remark. Maybe you came right out and asked if he was bluffing and he replied, “Just play the game.” You thought this kind of unfriendly remark was out of character for him. What should you do? Probably pass. Players who are bluffing are generally afraid to engage in hostilities. They don’t want to make you call out of anger. Ask a bluffer if he’s bluffing and you’re more apt to hear him chirp something like, “Let me check and see,” coupled with a forced smile, or simply “Yes,” said in a deliberately unconvincing manner.
