The Top Five Live Poker Tells Nobody Talks About
- Dec 17, 2025
- 6 min read
There are five poker tells that have always been kept a secret, until now. After more than 10,000 hours of live poker experience, I can reliably say that noticing these five tells and understanding how to respond to them will take your game to a new level. Check out this video where I break down the top five poker tells that nobody talks about.
The Top Five Live Poker Tells Nobody Talks About Video:
Video Summary:
#5: The Monetary Overcompensation
The monetary overcompensation is a live poker tell that occurs when a player makes a big bet and quickly interjects the amount, especially if it's a large sum, to emphasize to others the size of the bet.
This behavior can be a sign of overcompensation for a weak range, as the player wants to convey that they are making a forceful bet and their opponent should probably fold, and it's often used to make their bet appear stronger than it actually is.
When a player exhibits this behavior, it's essential to consider that their range may be weaker than usual, and if the decision to call or fold is borderline, it's often better to lean towards calling, as the player may be using verbal force to compensate for a weak hand.
It's not recommended to make decisions solely based on this tell, as sometimes people may simply be answering a question quickly, but in situations where the decision is uncertain, considering the monetary overcompensation can be a useful factor in making a more informed choice.
The monetary overcompensation can be an effective way to identify players who are trying to deceive their opponents with verbal cues, and being aware of this tell can help improve poker strategy and decision-making at the table.
#4: Checking Out of Turn
Checking out of turn is considered an angle, often used by players who are not big winners in the game and feel the need to rely on gimmicks to gain an advantage, and it can give away a lot of information about their hand.
When an inexperienced player checks out of turn, it may not be a significant tell as they may not be aware of the rules or the current state of the game, but when an experienced player does it, it usually means they want to induce their opponent to bet because they have a strong hand.
Experienced players who check out of turn often have a strong hand and want their opponent to think they are weak, so they can get more money into the pot, and if they raise after their opponent bets, it's likely a very strong range.
The best play when facing a player who checks out of turn is to not give them any further action, especially if the hand is weak, and to just check and get to the next street to see what they do.
If a player checks out of turn and then puts in a big bet the next street after their opponent checks, it's usually a sign to fold and not feel too bad about it, and players should insist that the dealer enforces the rules to prevent this angle from being used.
Checks out of turn are considered a more significant angle than bets out of turn, as they allow the player to gain information about their opponent's hand without much consequence.
When facing an experienced player who checks out of turn, it's essential to not give them satisfaction and to be cautious, as they are likely trying to induce their opponent to put in money and build the pot.
#3: Offering to Check it Down
There are two types of "checking it down" offers in poker, one where a player makes a big bet and offers to check it down if their opponent calls, which usually indicates a strong hand, and another where a player asks if their opponent would be willing to check it down if they call, which usually indicates a one pair hand or a bluff catcher.
The first type of offer is often made by a player with a very strong hand who is worried that their opponent will fold a weaker hand, and the offer is essentially a discount to encourage their opponent to call and lose.
The second type of offer is made by a player who wants to de-leverage the hand and gain an advantage by avoiding further betting action, usually because they have a marginal hand.
In either case, the best response is to do the opposite of what the player wants, such as not calling with a weak hand when a player makes a big bet and offers to check it down, or not checking it down when a player asks if you would be willing to do so.
When a player makes an offer to check it down, it can be seen as a form of collusion and may not be allowed in all poker games, but if the offer is allowed to stand, it is essential to know how to handle it and use the information to your advantage.
Ignoring the offer and continuing to play your hand normally is always an option and is within the bounds of the rules, but being able to make the best use of the information gained from the offer can be beneficial in a social poker game.
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#2: The Recoil
The recoil is a live poker tell where a person flinches as a big bet is made, displaying discomfort with the betting action, and may exhibit behaviors such as sighing, leaning back in their chair, touching their face, or darting their eyes.
If a player exhibits the recoil on the flop or turn, it is invaluable information as it suggests they are up against a range that is likely capped and does not want to face further action, allowing for the application of pressure on future streets.
A player who recoils may still call on the current street, but it is known that they can be exploited with big hands, which can be sized down to get more calls or potentially sized up if the player may still bluff catch for a big amount.
In contrast, a player who does not flinch in response to a big bet is likely to have a stronger range, as they were anticipating and possibly desiring the big bet, and it is important to proceed accordingly and apply less pressure against them.
It is crucial to recognize when a player's recoil is genuine or if they are "Hollywooding." If they unexpectedly raise, this can indicate a strong hand, and it is essential to know the opponent's capabilities to make informed decisions.
If a player exhibits a recoil that appears fake and then raises, it is likely a sign of a strong hand, and it is recommended to fold bluff catchers and get out of the way to avoid further action.
#1: The Intense, Concerned Stare Down Poker Tell
The concerned stare down often occurs after a player has made a big bet, where they give their opponent an intense look, making them feel like they're under a microscope, and this behavior is a little bit off-putting and awkward.
Conventional poker tell wisdom suggests that a strong stance means weakness, and a weak stance means strength, but in the case of the concerned stare down, it's different because the player's eyes often reveal fear or concern, indicating they're worried about their opponent's potential action.
The concerned stare down tends to be a sign of a player who has made a thin value bet, and they're concerned that their opponent will raise them, so they're trying to get a read on their opponent's potential action.
This tell has strategy implications, such as folding with a bluff catcher that can't beat a thin value hand, or raising instead of calling, as the opponent has made it clear they're uncomfortable with the idea of being raised.
By recognizing and raising more often when seeing this tell, a player can gain an advantage over their opponent, and potentially cause them to recoil and wish they had checked down instead, making it a valuable tool to master in live poker.
If you are looking to make use of these five tells as well as discover many other tells that you may be missing, contact Joel Wald today at joel@pto-poker.com or book a free 30-minute Zoom call to discuss how PTO Poker can help you reach your poker goals.
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