What does the poker term "reverse tell" mean?

[ProGambler]

What does the poker term "reverse tell" mean?

A "reverse tell" in poker is when a player purposefully or knowingly gives inaccurate or misleading information about the strength or weakness of their hand to their opponents. It entails purposefully acting or gesturing in a way that isn't consistent with what would be anticipated given the player's actual hand strength.

A reverse tell's main goal is to influence how opponents see and make decisions. A player tries to influence their opponents to judge their hand incorrectly and make poor plays by sending out deceptive signals or providing false information.

 

[CR7]

For example, a player may pretend to look disinterested or uninterested in a hand that, in actuality, is very strong. Or a player may act confidently and make large bets when they have a weak hand, hoping to intimidate their opponents into folding their better hands.

In addition to misleading opponents about the strength of their hand, a reverse tell can also be used to deceive other players about the player's characteristics, strategies, or playstyles. Oftentimes, a player might use a reverse tell as a single strategy, but it can also be used in conjunction with other strategies to create a more complete and effective poker game.

While reverse tells can be a successful strategy in the short-term, the best players typically avoid using them in the long run. This is because if opponents become aware of a reverse tell, they may begin to adjust their play accordingly, making it less likely that the strategy will be successful going forward.