Online Poker Tells: Instant Check or Bet/Raise
What does it mean when an online poker player does a very quick check, bet or raise?
Quick Check
For the most part, if a player does a very quick check it means a sign of weakness, and the player is basically raising the white flag to get this hand done with. Any bet made to a player who checks very quickly usually results in winning the pot (assuming you are heads up).
The reason they may be very quick checks is that most online poker rooms have a checkbox where the player can check-on to automatically ‘check the next round’. Keep in mind though, that this online poker tell is basically on weak opponents. So if you know that the player who quickly checked is a weak player, then you should bet.
On the other hand, good players will use this move as a deception and may check-raise you after you bet. This is why it is very important to know what kind of players you are playing against on the table before making any move. That is why it is so important to make player notes on the players at your table! So whether you are in a hand or not, observe the players at your table and make the appropriate notes on them. These player notes will help you with tough decisions later on in the game.
If you classify a player as weak and they do this tell, and you are heads up, then bet. If you classified the player as a good player, then you may want to check if you don’t have any hand yourself, or make the bet small enough where you can easily fold if checked-raised.
Quick Bet or Raise
This online poker tell is a classic weak move that indicates strength. Again, this online poker tell comes from weak players who simply don’t know that they are giving their opponents a tell.
Weak players are generally not patient players and they want to get involved in a pot quickly when they have the goods. Most online poker programs have a checkbox where the player can check-on to automatically ‘bet or raise’ when it’s their turn to act.
This is a sign of strength! Unless you have a very strong hand, get out and fold. It may be hard to fold to a weak player, but when you know they have the goods, is it really worth losing more money to them?
A Golden Rule of Poker: When playing weak opponents you MUST play fundamental poker against them. That means you cannot play fancy with them, such as bluffing. You must play poker with the hands you are dealt, and not play the man. Weak players do not pick up on subtle moves made from good players, they are only concerned with their hand and they don’t think what you might be holding in your hand. Adjust your play against weak players and you will easily take their money!
With patients you will get a monster hand against these players and because they are generally Calling Stations and River Rats, you will be paid well for their lack of understanding the game.
There are plenty of fish online, so real them in!
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