Heath I don't believe there is (or at least was, before AC opened) a tougher, MEANER, home game circuit than Southern Maryland, which is where I cut my poker teeth. I know what you're saying. Great training ground (though thank G I'm out of there.)
But when I referred to picking up a cheat's tells, I specifically wasn't referring to their mechanics.
I'm referring to the "feel" of a game, and for a player.
Some of it is about their focus--if it's on the backs of cards, then, duh!
If there is collusion, there'll be a pattern of people being in certain games, even seats within those games, and a further pattern to their play.
If it's a dealer's mechanics (the scariest possibility) than I believe there will STILL be a tell, even from the best of them. Maybe in the way they can't make eye contact when you say hey. Maybe in the way he oh-so-briefly does make eye contact with a certain player in the game. Or the way that player carefully affects casualness. Something.
It's all about their focus. Especially, if they're watching out for who's watching them. You know: hinkiness. People who are watching out for being watched, are up to something.
I'm not saying I could always pick it up. But I believe, yeah, there'd be a "feel" to the spot. And if I couldn't pick that up, than, fine, F me.  |