Fake Tells

  Usually when the words "faking it" are uttered it is a sign that perhaps some couples therapy might be helpful. Well that, or purchasing the type of "instructional" DVD that's found in the little room with beaded curtains at the back of most independent video stores. Regardless of the situation, when somebody is faking something the intention is to make somebody else believe a reality that doesn't really exist. Once somebody completely buys into the fake out, they can be led by the nose anywhere you want to take them.  We all know that in most cases the act of bluffing is done to convince people you have a good hand when in reality all your cards are any good for is as something to slip under your drink.  Novice and expert players alike are also aware that the best way to break a bluff, or figure out what their opponent is up to in general, is to find some sort of tell. For the three people out there that are not aware of this term, a tell is a player's behavior that they unconsciously do under certain circumstances. For example, there are some players whose nostrils flare whenever they have some really good cards. Watching their nose when they get their hole cards, or as each new card comes out will indicate whether or not it is safe to bet while they are in the hand.  Tells are great if you can identify them, but a great strategic move is to use tells as disinformation. You can force a particular behavior, like quickly wiping your forehead, or drumming your fingers when you have bad cards. So every time your hole cards are bad, repeat the tell before you fold. If you are going to play the hand, definitely do your tell. If you lose, it will reinforce the connection between your actions and a losing hand.  The more observant people at the table will pick up on this, and start betting whenever they see you wipe your forehead, or hear your fingers drum on the table. To them it will be like the sound of a cash register. At some point show your tell when your cards are good and watch as the pot grows. For a little while you will be able to send out your false tells and get people to bet when you want them to bet. This is not very different from how Pavlov taught a dog to drool on command.  At some point they will pick up on what you are doing. This is also a benefit because your opponents will no longer know what to believe about you. This will act as a mask for any legit tells you might have. The people at the table will not know if it is more disinformation from you, or a legitimate unconscious signal.  Good Luck!