Using Tells: Technology May Help Seniors Scene By George "The Engineer" Epstein
Every senior citizen who plays poker knows what a “tell” is. Even an experienced poker player sometimes displays a mannerism that can tell us whether or not he is bluffing. His hand begins to shake; that means he has caught the card he needs to make his hand – and you had better be careful or it will cost you heavily . . . His action is silently telling us something that may be important; but we have to be able to detect and interpret that action if it’s to be of any value to us. How do we know when he is being deceptive?
As a senior citizen, if you once worked in sales or marketing you know that you could look into your target’s eyes as you gave your pitch and could sense if you were making that sale. Did he cross his arms and turn his head away from you? Too bad! You were getting the message: No Sale. From our experience in life, we know that a young man can sense when a young woman is receptive to his advances. Some people call it “body language.”
But reading “tells” while playing poker is not easy. The most valuable are the “involuntary tells,” over which the player has no control – such as sudden perspiration, dryness of the mouth, nervous (uncontrolled) motions such as eye twitching or licking his lips. It’s really hard to observe these, even when you make a concerted effort and stare right at the player. I have a strategy for using “tells” in my book; and poker guru, Mike Caro (the “mad genius” of poker) has written a complete treatise on the subject.
Still, it’s very difficult to detect these “silent words” while playing the game of poker. And, often when you think you have spotted his “tell,” you may be completely mistaken. That’s why some poker experts advise us that the “tell” should never be the sole basis for an important decision; use it to augment other information.
Technology Advances. Science and technology may one day solve this problem. What if you had a special “wristwatch” you could wear? Point it at the opponent and, in a jiffy, it told you if he had made his hand or was bluffing. No more guesswork. Now you could be certain of the “tell.”
Well it seems that technology has developed an optical method for accurately measuring when a person is being deceitful. Biophysicist Britton Chance – who 60 years ago was a member of the MIT team that developed radar – is now pioneering technology in his laboratory at the University of Pennsylvania that can literally “see” a lie as it is happening. It’s based on the principle that there is more flow of the blood into the brain when a person is telling a lie. Based on infrared light, the device would target the prefrontal cortex of the brain – where decisions are made and most societal inhibitions reside -- and measure differences in blood flow. Based on that data, you then would have an instant “read” on your opponent.
Sure, it’s along way from being put into practice. And even further away from being used at the poker table. No doubt, we won’t get to see it in our lifetimes. But if we could. . .
Well, what’s your opinion?
George “The Engineer” Epstein is the author of The Greatest Book of Poker for Winners! (T/C Press, PO Box 36006, Los Angeles, CA 90036) A retired engineer who received many industry and government awards and commendations, he continues to be active by consulting, editing an international technical newsletter, teaching an engineering course at UCLA, and serving as an officer in a professional engineering society. One engineering society has a scholarship in George’s honor. In writing his poker book, he applied the lessons learned and experience while working as an engineer to solve problems. He is currently writing his next book on The Four Rules for Success in Life and Living. Reach George by e-mail: geps222@msn.com.
This article was published in the Aug 11th 2003 edition of Poker Player
George “The Engineer” Epstein is the author of The Greatest Book of Poker for Winners! (T/C Press, PO Box 36006, Los Angeles, CA 90036) A retired engineer who received many industry and government awards and commendations, he continues to be active by consulting, editing an international technical newsletter, teaching an engineering course at UCLA, and serving as an officer in a professional engineering society. One engineering society has a scholarship in George’s honor. In writing his poker book, he applied the lessons learned and experience while working as an engineer to solve problems. He is currently writing his next book on The Four Rules for Success in Life and Living. Reach George by e-mail: 
