tell countermeasures?

[NewSteve]

Some newbie questions about physical tells in case I decide to play in person:

What are some common tells that get overlooked? I know to pay attention to body shifts or breathholds after looking at the cards, or the forcefulness of pushing chips in. Also, not looking at the cards as soon as they are dealt.

Does it work to make deliberate "false tells" as countermeasures? Somewhat like the concept of 3rd base coaches disguising the real signal, except the only signal is unintentional. For example, one could keep track of planned movements at various intervals or alternating between hands (playing with the chips, sniffing, grimacing, etc.). The movements could be subtle so they are not discounted as obvious ploys.

Should beginners always play with sunglasses? Should beginners avoid making eye contact at all cost during an active hand? Are there eye tells that are nearly involuntary, eg. pupil dilation?

Does Phil Ivey shift his eyes around to mask abovementioned tells? If it is a good countermeasure, why don't more players do it?

Are there mental tricks to cut down on tells, such as imagining that one has a different hand, or systematically varying the sequence of thoughts (sometimes calculating pot odds first, sometimes trying to read another player first)?

Links to a FAQ on this subject would also be welcome. Thanks.

[biondino]

My first response would be not to worry about it too much because then, any tells you do give off - genuine, automatic tells - will probably be exaggerated.

If you're a beginner, you'll be playing with other beginners - they won't even notice, most likely. You can get to know your own tells by studying your opponents - what do they do that gives away their hand? Do you do any of the same things?

The best way to discipline yourself is to make sure your game is solid and consistent, you remain relatively sober and you concentrate on playing poker. Don't start relying on tells until you have enough experience playing live to be able to consistently recognise them, otherwise you'll start making bad plays based on hunches or misinformation.

[djzcko]

Just concentrate on reading hands based on their betting patterns. Most will bet exactly what they have and a few will overbet with air/weak hands and underbet strong hands. Reading tells should not be one of your priorities if you are a beginner.

[NewSteve]

Thanks for the input so far.

Sounds like if I am playing with the kind of sharks that would require elaborate tell countertactics, I am way of my league anyway and should prepare to lose whatever I bet primarily just on the basis of general skill. Otherwise, any forays into live games will either be for pennies or free pub tournaments and I should play sober, tight, and have fun.

My guess is the pros sometimes get feedback from compatriots or watch tapes of themselves to look for their own tells, but generally focus on other things during the match.

[pokerroomace]

dont try and give off fake tells. they're easy to spot and they are in fact tells.
if you're acting like you have a rely bad hand and then reraise allin - you clearly have the nuts. everybody dus wen they 1st play but it's amateur.

your aim is to try and act the same way on every single hand.

one tell i often get with my friends is that a player is talking on all his hands and suddenly he stops talking and the whole table does silence. this means he is very happy with his hand - it's 2 pair or better

but i really dont think tells are the most important part of the game. most of the reading that goes on is by betting patterns. if you just keep quiet the whole time you should be alright