Careful: One quick peek can tell opponent a lot

Tells in poker are small giveaways that you can detect if you are watching your opponents carefully.

These nuggets of information can help you make critical decisions at the poker table. One such tell occurred during this past summer’s World Series of Poker Main Event.

As play got under way in the first level (blinds 50 and 100), I got off to a nice start. During the first 30 minutes, I won six of my first eight hands, completing my hot streak with the following hand.

Sitting in mid position, I limped into the pot with 6s-6h. Unfortunately, the player to my immediate left raised to 400. After the big blind called, I decided to complete the bet and see a three-handed flop.

And it certainly was an interesting flop - 7c-6c-2c.

After the big blind checked, I contemplated my next move holding a set of sixes versus the potential flush draw. While considering my options, I noticed that the raiser took another quick peek at his cards. Hmmmm. This subtle glance caused me to believe that he held a big overpair such as aces or kings with the corresponding club for a flush draw.

Therefore, I decided to play the hand unless another club hit the board. Finally, I bet into the flush draw with 1,400 chips. Not surprisingly, he raised to 3,400, which only strengthened my read. Thus, I quickly made the call.

When the dealer revealed the Qh on the turn, I checked again. The raiser continued his betting by pushing forward 2,000 more chips. Once again, I called his bet.

I pleaded to the poker gods not to flip over a club on the river. Although they listened to my plea, the river card (Ah) did worry me. If my read was correct, he could have just caught a set of aces. After I checked, he thankfully followed suit, showing Ks-Kc. My set of sixes held up, which allowed me to take down a sizable pot during Day 1 of the 2007 WSOP Main Event.

Moral of the story:

Once you look at your cards, memorize them. Taking another quick peek may just reveal your hand.
By Bernard Lee

News Added: 09 September, 2007

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