Hi Everyone,

I am interested in improving my ability to recognize verbal and body language tells. I've read Caro and that has helped me to improve my game, but I am hoping to expand my knowledge of the topic. I am aware that this kind of post could easily have been posted in this section of the forum before, but I couldn't find anything regarding helpful literature. MODs feel free to delete if true. If anyone has a background in psychology or enjoys reading about body language I'd be very interested in what you've found to be worth looking into.

There are 2 books (soon a 3rd) available by Zach Elwood that you should find good to read. Personally, I got a lot out of the TV series "Lie to Me" on body language.

Tells/behavior need a history, but knowing the basics on how to develop that history quicker is very important. I have found the basic ABC tells are pretty easy to spot on an unknown player but I don't rely on the more subtle tells unless I can get a bit of a history on them first. GL

I think this is a good thread to start. I don't think I've seen a thread like this before (or not recently anyway). I think there's a lot of value in learning about general behavior clues to get you more used to looking for signs at the poker table.

A couple good general resources that I liked a lot:

Unmasking the Face: Good book by Paul Ekman, the respected behavior expert (and who also was the loose inspiration for the Lie To Me TV show), focusing on facial expressions. Amazon link: https://www.amazon.com/Unmasking-Fac.../dp/1883536367

I Know You Are Lying: This got me interested in interpreting verbal behavior like ten years ago, long before I wrote the Verbal Poker Tells book. Analyzes written statements, including some well-known criminal case evidence, for clues and indicators about what they were thinking and signs that they were aiming to deceive. Amazon link: https://www.amazon.com/I-Know-You-Ar.../dp/0967999820

If you want to 'hear' more about physical tells you can take a look at the "Live at the Bike" streams on TwitchTV. Whoever (@avoidthe9to5 on Twitter) is the commentator lately talks about this A LOT during the stream.

One that he surely will mention is that fact that people have a tendency to itch/rub somewhere on their head when weak/bluffing. I've only used this once so far and it proved correct. However, it was used in conjunction with another tell for that player, but I'm ready to expand my 'study' of this with all players. GL

I appreciate the responses guys! I have been looking at some of the resources you both mentioned. My initial interest in the subject came from avoidthe9to5s LATB coverage. His commentary is really impressive and insightful. I contacted him on twitter and he mentioned beyondtells.com and humintell.com in addition to your books @apokerplayer. In conjunction with your recommendations, I think thats a good place to start!

I follow that channel on YT, it's not about poker, purely body language (somewhat political tho, but not always)
look up for "bombard body language"

fundamentals are very well worked on, I think it would be a fairly decent place to start, lots of material there, very well put together, on various subjects.