ACEGO / Blog / 3 Types of Poker Tells
3 Types of Poker Tells Every Player Should Know
March 18, 2026 · 8 min read
Poker tells break cleanly into three distinct types, each with its own mechanics, reliability profile, and exploitation method.
| Tell Type | Reliability | Works Online? |
|---|---|---|
| Timing Tells | High | Yes |
| Speech Tells | Medium-High | No |
| Betting Tells | Very High | Yes |
Type 1: Timing Tells
Quick call = medium-strength hand. Long pause then bet = often strong. Snap raise = very strong. Long pause then check = frequently weak.
Type 2: Speech Tells
Sudden talkativeness with a big bet = often a bluff. Going still after betting = often strong. Unsolicited info = reverse it. Voice pitch change = stress.
Type 3: Betting Tells
Proportional sizing (strong = larger bet) is the most exploitable tell. Round numbers = recreational. Overbets = polarized. Min-bets = blocking or trapping.
Which Type to Focus On First
Start with betting tells. Add timing tells next. Add speech tells last.
See All 3 Tell Types in Action
ACEGO features 13 AI opponents with specific tell patterns across all three categories.
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