Someone encourage me to finish Navarro's book

[7n7]

I'm about 1/2-way through and have hit a wall. Anybody read it and have a few successes through tells (learned from this book) anecdotes?

I guess I've kind of gone into this book with wrong mindset as I've never placed much value in tells (especially at the low to low-mid limits that I play).

I recall reading Caro's book and laughing at the over-exaggeration presented in the example photos. I had hoped that an updated book of tells would at least tone the humor in the pics. down. Doesn't look to be the case.

I realize that the exagerrations are done to help empasize difficult to find tells, but really, if I'm ever at a table where people are staring at me that intently before I bet, I'm at the wrong table [img]/images/graemlins/smile.gif[/img]

And yes, I do know that at the higher limits, people watch you more, but they do attempt to be more discreet (no fish likes it when it's obvious he's in the bowl).

[JackCase]

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I guess I've kind of gone into this book with wrong mindset as I've never placed much value in tells (especially at the low to low-mid limits that I play).


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Then why would you buy a book about tells? As long as you have that mind-set, no one can tell you why you should read the book.

[7n7]

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Then why would you buy a book about tells?

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Maybe because I'm open to changing that mindset? Kind of like a lot of things in life. You have one opinion initially and then do some research on subjects that argue the other side. You know, educate yourself. You then compare said research to original opinion to see if anything has changed (in this case, after reading and experience at the tables).

Sarcasm aside, I do know that tells have value (debatable as to how much though). The text thus far is a little dry to me is really my issue though...chalk it up to laziness [img]/images/graemlins/smirk.gif[/img]

I see someone else started a thread about Navarro's book, so I'll just defer.

[SellingtheDrama]

Tells are part of the 'story'. In general, no behavior by itself means all that much, its the changes that matter, and this book helps to interpret some of those changes.

IMO at the lower limits, it is of minimal value. Solid play is the way to go. At medium limits (where I play), its generally of value in most hands.

And no you don't have to stare people down, just keep them in your field of vision and pay attention.

[NickMPK]

I don't get it...this book is short and a really easy read. You should be able to get through the last half in like an hour.

[Jack Bando]

I bought this book a few weeks ago from the bookstore I work at. I read through it a few times (once at work) and played a home game a few weeks later.

On two occasions, someone with a strong hand did the "lean back+hands behind head" tell, having AQ and KK.

Another person squinted when the flop hit and checked, I bet, they folded.

Later on, a third player saw the flop (AT7) and lowered their brow. Checked around. Turn's a 6. checked around to the river, which was an 8. (Turn and river may not be 100% right, not the point). They bet about 200 into a 500 pot. I had T2, so I called. I won.

Small case sample, but the book works, even in a $5 home game.

[*TT*]

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I guess I've kind of gone into this book with wrong mindset as I've never placed much value in tells (especially at the low to low-mid limits that I play).

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And you shouldn't, thats the problem with the book... the truth is that tells are a fraction of your decision process, yet Navaro doesn't really disclose that to the reader. True tells are the betting patterns of your opponents, put far more strength behind betting patterns than the way someone shakes their right foot.

I read this book months before it was released, I was sent a pre-release copy. Although I do admit its the beast treatment on the existence behind tells to date and its focus on observation is 100% correct, I think the books falls flat because the author's fundamental understanding of the game is flawed - reading tells does not make you an expert player, reading betting patterns and placing your opponent on a hand range does - and none of this is covered within the text. Therefore unless the reader is already highly skilled I cannot recommend it to a reader. Its a good book for the right consumer,unfortunately the right consumer is not the target audience.

TT [img]/images/graemlins/club.gif[/img]

[SellingtheDrama]

Yeah, I agree the book is not a text that makes the difference between winning and losing at poker, but can be the difference in a few pots.

I'd estimate that I make maybe one decision every couple hours of live play based on what I learned here.

But at my limits/play time that's a nice chunk of cash and was well worth my time imo to read. There are most definately worse ways I could have prepared for a poker session.

[ApeAttack]

I just finished the book and have not had a chance to search for tells in a casino setting. I like this book much better than Caro's.

Navarro mentions on a couple occasions that <u>'limbic responses' are more pronounced when people are under a lot of stress</u>. If you are playing 2/4 limit game at a casino, most people aren't going to be under a lot of stress and these tells might be less likely to show up (of course, the people at a 2/4 table are less 'sophisticated' and might not pay attention to their own behavior much, so tells might be more prevalent there). I would imagine tells will appear more often in a no-limit game where stress levels are higher.

Navarro suggests filming yourself during a home game to see how many tells you give off (film from the side so you can see your feet, the 'most honest' of all body parts). Maybe you can film the whole table and see if you can spot tells afterwards.

[larrondo]

I've got to say, the hokey writing style, irritating puns, self-congratulation, and boring repetition made this one tough going for me. There are some useful tips in there, sure, but I wish there was a cliff notes version.