Call, Fold, Raise or Check - Betting Tells
Betting acts give important clues about a poker player's hand. In fact, if you play online poker, these may be your only real clues. There are a limited number of betting situations possible. Let us look at betting acts and what they tell about players, including you.
Betting Act - You are UTG (under the gun) and you raise preflop.
You have a great hand or you're bluffing.
Betting Act - You are on the button and you raise preflop.
Nothing scary. You're just trying to steal the blinds.
Betting Act - You re-raise preflop.
You have at least a decent hand..
Betting Act - You bet on the flop.
You made something on the flop or else it doesn't hurt you. If there's an ace or suited cards on the board, they may think you made a flush, a top pair or a set. With a rainbow, it may appear you have a decent pair even an average set.
Betting Act - You check on the flop.
It almost always means one of two things: you missed the flop by a mile or you made a monster and want to check-raise.
Betting Act - You limp along and then go all-in on the turn.
You have been on a drawing hand all along and now made the hand.
Betting Act - You check, then call a bet made after you.
You have an okay hand and wanted to see the next card free, and call because you have to. Possibly a draw hand. It is also common among loose/passive players. A weak move.
Betting Act - You check and then raise someone who bets.
Uh-oh, you have a monster there! This is a big tell. Most people who are just playing along (literally) won't bother with a ploy like this. It's signaling that you've trapped the other player. It may be a bluff, but it will seldom be read as such.
Betting Act - After the flop, someone bets and you call.
If you raised preflop, they may think you had a great starting hand and now missed. If you called or did not bet preflop (a blind), it does not say much about your hand.
Betting Act - After the flop, someone bets and you raise.
An indication that the flop helped you or that you are just aggressive.
Betting Act - You bet/called, and then someone puts a raise or re-raise to you. You play.
If you and the other player know about pot odds, this may tell them you are on a drawing hand. You did not raise but only called to see the next card. When challenged with a raise, you call after determining that the pot and hand odds justify it.
Note that raises are always more respectable from an early position than a middle or late one. Raises are least credible from the button. It is also easier to check from early position if you are hoping for a bet since there are more players to act after you. What your betting acts say also depend on your table position, your previous acts and your table image. It is important that you know how to read acts and how yours may be read.
