What is Angling in Poker?

The term “angling” is often used in poker to describe a wide range of tactics that players use to try and gain an advantage over their opponents. While some types of angling are considered normal gameplay tactics, others can cross into the realm of cheating and potentially lead to penalties or disqualification from tournaments. In this article, we will take a look at some common examples of angling and how to identify when an opponent is trying to angle shoot you.

A simple definition of angling in poker is when a player makes ambiguous or misleading actions in an attempt to mislead other players into making bad decisions. This can be done with both physical and verbal actions. Some common examples of angling include:

Looking at Another Player’s Hole Cards

This is perhaps one of the most obvious forms of angling in poker, and it’s almost universally considered to be cheating. This includes attempting to get a read on an opponent’s hole cards by peeking at them through their chips or simply touching them as they are betting. It also includes revealing the hole cards to other players, even if the player is not bluffing.

Moving Chips Forward but Not Passing the Betting Line

One of the more common and easier angles involves the betting line. Trying to “fake call” a river bet by creeping your chips toward the betting line but not actually passing it is an easy way to entice an opponent into calling your bet when you have a strong hand. The ratio of angles to legitimate mistakes that cause players to accidentally call or raise is incredibly skewed in this direction.

Speech Play and Lying

Using your voice to give other players misleading information about your hand is another popular form of angling. This includes claiming that you’ve looked at your cards, telling an opponent that the river helped improve your hand, or declaring that you’re all-in when you’re not.

In addition to causing confusion and frustration for other players, this type of angling can be a major turn-off for recreational players who see that other professionals are able to get away with it so easily. In the long run, it could drive them away from the game altogether.