+Mike Caro - Caros Book Of Poker Tells.pdf - Time Out Hut

TELL #34
TITLE: I'm watching, so you better know what you're doing.
CATEGORY: Strong Means Weak.
DESCRIPTION: Keep in mind that players looking at the bettor are typically less of a threat
than players looking away. Here, the player at center is watching the bet.
MOTIVATION: By appearing interested, he's trying to tell his opponent that a bet is not safe.
RELIABILITY:
• Weak players = 70%
• Average players = 65%
• Strong players = 58%
VALUE PER HOUR:
• $1 limit = $1.30
• $10 limit = $9.85
• $100 limit = $58.50
DISCUSSION: While this is a fairly powerful tell, it has its problems. It's clear that players
who stare at you are generally weaker than those who stare away. But it so happens that,
especially in limit games, there's a secondary reason why opponents watch your bet: They want
to make sure you wager the right amount, so they won't get short-changed. You can sometimes
be fooled into thinking an opponent is trying to act strong when, in fact, he's only monitoring the
size of your bet. This tell poses that dilemma. If the player (center) was looking directly at the
bettor's face, we'd have no problem. In such a case, it would be fairly clear that the bet was
unwelcome. Even in this photo, however, you can assume that the opponent watching the bet is
not usually strong. Just for contrast, look at Photo 51 in Section XII, Weak Means Strong.
BEST STRATEGY: You can bet medium-strength hands into the player at center with the
hope of getting a call from a weaker hand. Also, if you hold a hopeless hand, you might try
bluffing.
Caro's Law of Tells #13
Players stating at you are usually less of a threat than players staring away.
Photo 72:
Watch the man at center as his opponent (second from left) wagers.
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