Tells

[Spade_K]

1) Mike Caro University explains the art of observing tells very well. I recommend that you consult this website, MCU.

2) I mask my tells by harnessing all of my emotions when I play.

3) As regards online tells, I have noticed that min-bets smack of drawing/weak hands. Also, odd bets, such as $1.63, smack of extreme strength or extreme weakness.

[andaval]

In my experience, betting patterns are the best tell by an order of magnitude. Look for people who vary preflop raises or flop bet sizes, see what gets showdown, remember. For example, one guy I know tends to bet weak (~1/2 pot)with a draw or sometimes with a monster, a pot-size bet typically means an ok hand (2nd pair, TPWK) where he wants to know where he is at, and overbets mean bluff or nuts, depending a little on board texture. So a pot-size bet on the flop means reraise big with any two as often as you think you can get away with it without him catching on.

Shaking hands often do mean a monster, beware the speech (lot of undecided talking followed by an all-in). If they really suck, then you can look for really weak player tells (none of these are at my home game) --
leans back in chair/away from table -- trying to appear non-threatening -- they are strong.
in your face/betting physically aggressively (slamming chips down, splashing the pot), even towards you at the table -- they are weak.
quick calls -- usually a draw.