Don’t base too many decisions on physical tells – deductive reasoning based on a player’s betting patterns is the best way to read players. But if you’re observant and pick up a tell on a player you can profit from it.

Beware of online tells though. For example, you may read something into the length of time a player takes to make a decision but that person may be multi-tabling, disconnected or simply putting the cat out.

Below are three live game tells that may help you in cash games.

Quick call on flop/turn
This is very often a drawing hand. If your opponent had a strong hand he would have a decision between calling or raising.

Chatting while you think
If your opponent is relaxed and chatting to you while you make a decision – especially if he’s goading you – he’s often strong and trying to induce a call.

The false smile
If you’re contemplating a call when staring down your opponent and he looks at you and smiles in an artificial or forced way he is usually weak.