Right away, you put him on the king. The turn hits, and it’s another 3. You know this card doesn’t help Drew, because he wouldn’t have called your pre-flop raise with a 3 in his hand.

So now you fire out a $60 bet, because you think your aces are going to wipe his cowboys out. He’s obviously pot committed, and he calls without a look of being nervous. You’re still thinking he’s got the king (one in his hand, one on the table).

The river card hits, and it’s a KING. Bummer. Immediately you feel sick to your stomach. That was the LAST card you wanted to see. So know the board reads K, 7, 3, 3, K and you’ve still got your aces. Now you HAVE to check to Drew. If you throw out a bet, he’s going to come over the top of you (assuming he’s got the king; which gives him a full house). The only hope you have left now is that he’s got Jacks or Queens and that he’ll also check the river card.

After you check the action, Drew sends off a major hesitation vibe. He stalls and of course, he knows you know what’s in his hand. He sits, waits, and thinks.

What he’s REALLY trying to do is make you think he doesn’t have the winning hand because he KNOWS he’s got the best hand. Finally, he leans back in his chair, takes a deep breath, and then pushes in a bet for $240.

Before his chips get to the middle you muck your hand. He gave you his “tell” with his overdramatic body actions, and this hand is done. As you muck your aces, he says, “Damn” and shows you his hand - it’s a King/Queen. You just nod your head and say, “Yea, I know.”

Even though you didn’t WIN the hand, you saved some of your bankroll. Catching the king on the river was simply luck for him, and it’ll come back around to you soon. You played the cards right, and STAYED IN THE GAME because you were smart about reading his body language.

Instead of being like most suckers, who would whine about this type of hand for weeks claiming they “always catch the bad beats,” you just shrug it off and keep tight to YOUR expert game.

Of course, reading body language takes practice, and it requires a deep understanding of the “signs” to look for.

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