Longtime poker players and gamblers know that in order to win it big in California poker rooms, certain strategies must be put into place and followed. Without a good strategy, playing poker is merely hoping that the cards will be dealt in your favor. However, there is more to it than that€"professionals know how to work with the odds and even win the pot with a hand that was not the highest dealt.

One of the most important elements of playing poker in San Diego casinos is the development of how to tell when someone is bluffing. When someone bluffs during the game of poker, they have a conscious gesture, facial movement or signal that is called a bluff. When a novice plays, he or she may think that bluffing all the time may help them succeed. More seasoned players may pretend to be bluffing, but that will just trap novice players into losing money into the pot. Learn how to tell the difference between a tell that is done unconsciously and a tell that is done deliberately.

The following are some of the starting points for discovering if someone is bluffing, whether it is during a game at home or a casino table, such as those found in the Pala Casino hotel.

1. Read body language.
This is the biggest indicator of whether someone is bluffing or not. Perhaps your opponent moves slightly in his or her chair, or he or she slouches back or has drooping shoulders. When paired with how they act on the next move or so, you should be able to tell if they have a good hand or not.

2. Watch for behavior that is €too normal.€
People who are bluffing will do anything in their power that will help them to seem as normal as possible. This is called the €calling-reflex.€ When you are uncertain if the person you are playing against is bluffing, watch him or her interact with other players. If he or she is trying to remain calm and more inconspicuous than normal, he or she may be bluffing.

3. Be aware of card guardians.
When someone has a good hand, he or she is more likely to €guard€ his or her hand. Typically, a poker player with a good hand will look at the cards quickly, and then hide them with his or her hands to keep other players at the table from seeing what type of hand he or she is holding.