tells online

I think there are tells online. They are less relaible but all part of the picture.
I agree with Cali and Crapshoot that timing can sometimes play a part - of course you don't always know for sure that there isnt a connection problem or your opponent has just taken a trip to the bathroom or kitchen or whatever.

I think a 'pause-check usually means something.
A 'pause-bigraise usually means something.
A 'very quick raise' often means something.

Against good players you may as well ignore these but against very poor or very new players to online poker you can sometimes gain an advantage.

Tonight I played a $5 heads up sng at full tilt.
I often have a quick look at my opponents stats when the game begins.
It may give me some idea what to expect and how I should play my opponent.
No stats available on this opponent.
So I look them up for HH's and to see
what kind of stakes they normally play on google.
It shows only one tournament.

Meanwhile, the big blinds are still at 20 and I've folded 4 times. My opponent is raising as much as 360 chips preflop.
I take my time, and check hands to them. Taking no risks.
Turns out, not only will they raise big when hey have a hand, they will also
fold to my raises both preflop and post flop. Ideal. So I build my stack slowly making steals and getting a few decent calls with made hands at showdowns.

They are taking their time with each decision they make. Their raises always come after a long pause.
At 60BB they have 695 chips.
I call the BB and they check very quickly. I noticed the change.
Flop comes AQ9 and they make an instantaneous check. I'm suspicious now.
I check back and we check-check all the way to showdown.

Table 1 - 30/60 - No Limit Hold'em

Seat 1: player1 (695), is sitting out
Seat 2: 7letters (2,305)
7letters posts the small blind of 30
player1 posts the big blind of 60
The button is in seat #2
*** HOLE CARDS ***
Dealt to 7letters [Tc 9d]
7letters calls 30
player1 checks
*** FLOP *** [Ad 9c Qs]
player1 checks
7letters checks
*** TURN *** [Ad 9c Qs] [2c]
player1 checks
7letters checks
player1 has returned
*** RIVER *** [Ad 9c Qs 2c] [8c]
player1 checks
7letters checks
*** SHOW DOWN ***
player1 shows [As Ah] three of a kind, Aces
7letters mucks
player1 wins the pot (120) with three of a kind, Aces

Without that tell I may of bet the flop..and whatever happens after that I'm losing chips on the hand.

__________________
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