Hi, I’m Zach Elwood, and I’ve been writing and talking about poker tells since 2010 (learn more about me here). Below is an in-depth compilation of commonly asked questions about poker tells and my answers. For what it’s worth, this is the most organized and in-depth information I’ve ever put out publicly on poker tells.
I started creating this list in September of 2026, so more common poker tells questions/answers will be added soon! Do you have questions you want answered? Send me a message here. Want to stay in the loop for updates? Sign up for my email list here (and get a free tells course).
General poker tells FAQs
- What are the most common and important poker tells?
- How often do poker players use poker tells?
- Does studying poker tells make you a better player?
- What is the weak-means-strong/strong-means-weak theory of poker tells?
- What do “behavior experts” get wrong about poker tells?
- Are poker tells the result of players acting and deceiving?
- How common are false/reverse tells in poker?
- Nonverbal behavior isn’t useful for detecting deception: Why are poker tells different?
- (more coming soon)
Physical/nonverbal tells FAQs
- What tells can help you spot a bluff?
- What can a player’s eyes or gaze tell you?
- What does it mean when an opponent reaches for chips when you’re considering a bet?
- What does checking hole cards before a bet mean?
- Can you get information from a poker player’s neck pulse?
- What do immediate (snap) calls mean in poker?
- What does it mean when a pre-flop raiser quickly checks the flop?
- What does it mean when a bettor seems angry or irritated?
- (more coming soon)
Verbal tells FAQs
Sign up for a free 5-part verbal poker tells course here.
- What does it mean when a player tells you they have a specific hand?
- What’s it mean when a player explains a bet or other action?
- What does it mean when a player immediately asks what the bet was?
- What does anger and/or irritation mean from a bettor?
- What does it mean when an opponent taunts or goads you?
- Do poker players often lie?
- What poker tells were in the movie Rounders?
- (more coming soon)
General poker FAQs
Learn more
Want to go deeper? Check out my poker tells books and videos.
Check out podcast episodes on reading and using behavior in games and sports.