Dramatic pauses

This is in all forms of poker but I usually play sit-in-gos so that is where I am posting this. I have noticed people stalling eve when they know they have a good hand. I find this really annoying, even more annoying than someone acting fast and beating me. I know people say this is a strategy to disguise the strength of their hand, but it really has no effect on how I play a certain hand. I want to know if other people are annoyed by this or actually influenced by people taking a long time to act.

In many cases, players are playing 548544830 tables at the same time so they may just be acting on their other tables rather than deliberately delaying to try to either annoy or deceive you.

I really did not think about that. It still annoys me though.

yes annoying, but consider this, if you have a tough choice, will it take you a few more seconds to decide what to do?
whether your answer is yes or no, many players think that's what the pause is about.
now personally, it's more likely my pause comes from getting a drink or something, but does my opponent know that?
i will occasionally put in a pause to screw with my opponents head if they are a continual c-better. did I just pause while deciding whether to bet big or to slowplay? then i checked? should u bet?
it's not like you can never know how effective it is, but often you may buy yourself a free card.

or you can just piss people off and tilt 'em, which is fun anyways

There are tons of reasons people can delay their responses, multitabling, slow connection etc...
I ignore the time it takes people to respond when I am making my decision

In live game however I sometimes take my time even on clear decisions so it will be less obvious when I do need time to think

If someone has made a comment at the table about anyone playing slowly, (especially the famous ZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZ). When that person is in a hand, I'll take 99% of the time before I make my decision. When that player isn't in the hand, I'll make my decision as normal.

One of the things that I've learned in playing poker is patience - if it takes someone 15 seconds to make their decision, so be it - it's not going to kill me, but if I show that it annoys me, it's only going to get slower.

As others have said, there are plenty of reasons why someone can take a while to make a decision, but I think as a general rule, the reasons are legitimate - not to mention the unbelievable number of distractions going on around the house while people are playing. All it takes is a minute for the kids to come ask me a question and I don't notice that the action's on me right away.

If you check and see that someone who's taking a lot of time is not multi-tabling, timing tells can be a pretty good piece of information.

I'm reluctant to share this -- I've found it to be a very good online tell: if someone is not multi-tabling, and they "think" and then bet/call, they have a strong hand. Likewise, "think" check is a weak hand.

(Standard caveats apply -- obviously this is not a science.)

hhhmmmmmmm.... not so sure i agree wiht that

Originally Posted by RockyMoose

I'm reluctant to share this -- I've found it to be a very good online tell: if someone is not multi-tabling, and they "think" and then bet/call, they have a strong hand. Likewise, "think" check is a weak hand.

(Standard caveats apply -- obviously this is not a science.)

Andy Beal (the bank owner who played the most famous pros in Vegas for millions of dollars per hand) had this little device in his sock that helped him keep time. He made a point of taking exactly the same amount of time whether he was making an easy or a difficult decision.

Originally Posted by RockyMoose

I'm reluctant to share this -- I've found it to be a very good online tell: if someone is not multi-tabling, and they "think" and then bet/call, they have a strong hand. Likewise, "think" check is a weak hand.

(Standard caveats apply -- obviously this is not a science.)

I agree with this a 100% at the lower level stakes $5 or less. When they stall and check they may have a draw and are hoping the stall will make you check as well. Likewise a stall with a bet I've found most likely to be trips or better.

Stalling or taking time is both a strategy and tell! You have to figure which one it is!

That is why I like to play a few hands without calling until I see every person's tells.

It also could be they are doing some thing else, like talking on phone answering door etc.

If the player is not mult-talbing there can be valuable info. regarding 'time tells'.. not always real strong.. but can be of value.
I don't let other's play get to me... instead I pick up what I can from what they're doing and then try to use this to my advantage. As far as timing goes, I'll often use up alot of my time and use this time to quickly make notes and review prior hand(s) etc.
Some timing tells I've noticed... (in lower buyins) the long slow pause 'check' is often a sign of weakness.
The long slow pause prior to the re-raise.. often a very strong hand.
I try to always take the same amount of time when it's my turn to act... always trying to not give off any timing tells,.. then when there's a time I actually need the extra time to consider how I'm going to act, it doesn't give my opponent any particular read on me.
Like someone mentioned above.. I will also take a bit of extra time if I see a player whining about how long someone takes to act..or if you see the 'zzzzzzzzzz' in the chat box.
What's the freak'n hurry? I just want to win the game.