Poker is a game where psychology plays a major factor in winning. If you’re having trouble taking the pot home, then you may be doing something wrong. One of the most common mistakes both new and expert players make is being unable to conceal their tells.

Types of Tells
Tells come in several forms. If your opponents usually talk more loudly or show audible changes with a good hand, this type of tell is known as audible tells. If your opponents do certain gestures with a weak or good hand, these are known as visual tells. If your opponents’ behavior towards betting changes, this is known as betting tells. In traditional games, where you sit down in front of your opponents, all three types of tells are used in reading the opponents. However, players in online poker games only rely on betting tells.

Unfortunately, tells can be very hard to prevent, even for pro poker players. The slightest differences in breathing, gestures and eye contact can give out signals to your opponents. Many amateurs have no idea that they begin to talk loudly or continuously, recheck cards or make long dramatic pauses before making a significant raise – these signs often indicate strong hands. Advanced players usually give out subtler tells, but an observant opponent can easily catch these tells regardless of how obvious or vague they are. Whatever signs you may observe with your opponents, you may actually be doing them as well, so it’s important to avoid these tells at all cost.

The Secret to hiding Tells
Amateur and advanced poker players can benefit from standardizing their betting and body movements. You need to be consistent in playing, so if you usually push your chips out in a stack, use this method every time, regardless of having a weak or strong hand. As long as you become consistent in everything you do while playing poker, you can’t let your opponents read the quality of your hand based on how you react, move or speak. Here are some things you should consider:

1) Breathing – Most of the time, when players bluff, they hold their breath unconsciously while bluffing. Make sure to observe your opponent and learn a way to breath normally throughout the game.
2) Speech patterns – Many players become excessively talkative during the game. Depending on the player, this may indicate a sign of a weak or strong hand. Some players even start a conversation to try and read your tells, so be careful on how you react while the hand is in play.
3) Eye movements – Usually, players with made hands initiate eye contact, while those who are bluffing avoid them completely. The most effective way of concealing tells based on eye movement is to refrain from eye contact while the hand is in play.

When it comes to betting, make sure to learn how to standardize your betting, such as the size of bets and raises as well as the time it takes you to make a bet. Many players unconsciously bet too quickly if they have a strong hand and take several seconds to make a bet with a weak hand. Other tells can make or break your game, but as long as you learn from your mistakes and prevent your opponents from guessing your hand, then you can have a better chance at winning poker.