74 essential live poker tells, from micro-expressions to all-ins
Demonstrations with scoring and practical examples
Structured modules that can be revisited anytime
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Rating
5.0
Hello and welcome to PokerNews' honest and comprehensive review of Master Poker Tells, an online poker coaching site that offers players the chance to learn and master over 70 universal tells at a professional level in modern live poker.
In this review, we'll look at what Master Poker Tells adds to the myriad selection of live tell books and masterclasses out there, and determine whether it's a coaching tool you should consider using to improve your play.
Editor's Comment
Master Poker Tells is a genuinely revelatory masterclass, covering the universal body language that is displayed, voluntarily or involuntarily, in modern live poker. With hours of content that is both enjoyable and easy to digest, it shows players how to improve their own in-person game while reading opponents like never before.
The course uses a structured methodology and a points-based system around microtells and macrotells, making it simple to apply in practice. Complete the program, and you’ll be incredibly surprised at how differently you watch poker on TV or at your next home game, one eye trained on the body language at the table.
Is it a magic bullet? No. And it doesn’t claim to be. Nacho Cuesta, the founder, is clear from the start that ranges, ICM, and solver study are all essential foundations before considering tells.
But the depth of knowledge available in Master Poker Tells makes clear that incorporating poker tells into a wider training regime can mean real money at the table—and if you (understandably) won't just take my word for it, players at Triton, the WSOP, and EPT have all found value in the course.
Structured, practical approach to live poker tells
Real examples make learning easy to apply
Useful for a range of player levels
Cons
Not a shortcut, tells must be practiced alongside solid fundamentals
What is Master Poker Tells?
Master Poker Tells is an online poker coaching platform designed to teach players how to read and interpret nonverbal cues at the live poker table. The course breaks down over 70 “tells,” from subtle micro-expressions and body movements to larger patterns of behavior, giving players a framework to spot and act on these signals in real time.
It's not just a collection of tricks or gimmicks; the course is structured and methodical, with over 4 hours of lessons on microtells and macrotells presented in short, focused videos that show the tells in action. With sufficient revision and practice, the insights can be applied at the table in a natural way.
In essence, it’s a comprehensive toolkit for live players who want to add the psychological and observational side of the game to their overall poker strategy, complementing solid fundamentals like ranges, ICM, and solver study.
Who is the Founder of Master Poker Tells?
Nacho Cuesta
Master Poker Tells is founded and coached by Nacho Cuesta, a poker player, writer, analyst, and commentator who is highly-skilled in the study of poker tells, specializing in the field for over 5 years.
Cuesta, who has played professionally live for around 3 years, has made a number of impressive scores using the knowledge shared in Master Poker Tells, including cashing at the WSOP Main Event, on the European Poker Tour, and final tabling the PokerStars Open in Malaga.
Master Poker Tells Full Course Structure, Library, & Learning
The Master Pro pack covers 74 essential tells across every key area of live poker. This includes 10 tells related to checks, 20 about chip betting timing, 13 focused on the eyes, 10 on verbal language, 11 on general body movements, and 10 for all-in moments.
Several of these tells carry unique value that far exceeds the total worth of the course, the result of years of research, live table experience, studying opponents and personal reactions, and hours of streamed poker.
Each lesson is presented by Nacho Cuesta in a slick, professional setting with a live dealer in a real poker room. The production quality is excellent, with crisp camerawork that makes even very subtle movements or twitches easy to spot (being so crucial to this topic).
While the videos are originally in Spanish, the English version is dubbed without sacrificing the clarity or pace of the instruction, while subtitles are also provided.
Thanks to the scoring system that combines tells from all the different groups, you can narrow your opponents’ ranges in most hands you play. Where you previously relied solely on math and logic, these 74 tells encourage a deeper level of observation, helping you move beyond autopilot and make more informed decisions.
Working through the full library gives players a structured, step-by-step approach to mastering live poker tells, with intriguing module names such as 'The Phantom Menace' or 'NASCAR' all adding to the fun.
Having completed the both the intensive course and full online course, I can say it’s structured, practical, and genuinely fun. Nacho is a phenomenal and friendly teacher, and my fellow students unanimously agreed the course was excellent, with real-world examples that make learning tells intuitive.
It's natural to be skeptical about poker tells since they’re not an exact science, but the insight I gained by the end was undeniable and has fundamentally changed the way I watch and play poker.
Master Poker Tells is aimed at all live poker players looking to add an edge to their game.
The course is most useful for those who already have a solid foundation in strategy, ranges, and basic game theory, but the course is designed to be valuable for all levels. Students have included everyone from casuals to some of the game’s most elite players, making it a resource that offers practical insights anyone can apply at the table.
However, and Master Poker Tells is very clear about this, live tells are no substitute for training on solvers or running drills, and require just as much practice to be effective as any other area of poker.
Nacho Cuesta
Master Poker Tells Plans & Pricing
Master Poker Tells offers four different coaching options ranging from a free introduction to private 1-on-1 coaching. The majority of players tend to opt for the full course, which covers all 74 essential tells of live poker.
There are no subscriptions required for any of the plans, simply choose the option that's right for you, purchase and it's all yours. The 4 available plans are as follows:
Full Course - Learn all 74 tells from the complete masterclass, the result of several years of research, which will elevate your table skills several levels above your current level.
Live Intensive - An advanced and practical live training session where poker tells are taught, applied, and practiced in real time with Nacho Cuesta as part of a small group.
Private 1-on-1 Coaching - Individual sessions focused on unconscious behavior, physical execution, and advanced reading in live poker, coached in a private, 1-on-1 session with Nacho Cuesta.
Free Introduction - By simply registering, you can access, at any time, with your username and password, and receive 11 tells that every poker player should know.
Course
What You Get
Cost
Full Course
All 74 tells from the complete masterclass
$350
Live Intensive
Live group session practicing tells with Nacho Cuesta + access to the Full Course
$500
Private 1-on-1 Coaching
Personalized coaching on advanced reads and behavior
$300/hour
Free Introduction
11 essential tells available on registration
Free
Master Poker Tells Free Trial
If you’re not ready to commit to the full course, the free trial gives you a taste of what’s on offer. You’ll get access to 11 essential tells, the course introduction, and practical examples to see how the training works in practice.
It's completely free to sign up, with no obligation to purchase any more coaching.
How to Sign Up to Master Poker Tells
Signing up to Master Poker Tells is quick, free, and easy. Just follow these steps:
Visit the Master Poker Tells website, click the person icon in the top right corner, and follow the instruction to create an account.
Enter a few basic personal details - it takes less than 2 minutes.
You're in! You now can access the free trial, learning 11 essential tells, or purchase the Full Course or some additional training.
Does Learning Tells Still Matter in Modern Poker?
Modern poker is sharper than ever. Solvers are mainstream, training is more structured, and even recreational players have a stronger grasp of fundamentals. On paper, that might suggest tells matter less. In reality, the opposite can be true.
Live poker still involves human beings making high-pressure decisions in real time. While a player may know the correct range or theoretical play, physically carrying it out is another matter. Subtle shifts in posture, timing, chip handling, or speech can leak information, not because someone is weak, but because no one (okay, maybe Phil Ivey) can perfectly mask every detail while thinking through complex spots.
As technical edges continue to narrow, observational edges become more valuable. In live poker especially, reading behavior remains one of the few areas where players can still separate themselves without relying purely on math.
Nacho Cuesta
Master Poker Tells Customer Support & Social Media
Master Poker Tells includes a raft of information on site, including a helpful FAQ section that can answer a wide range of common queries.
However, the site also has a dedicated email where players can offer feedback or ask for further information at [email protected]
You can also follow both Nacho Cuesta and Master Poker Tells on social media on the following accounts:
Instagram - @Masterpokertells_en & @Nachocuestampt X - @Nachocuestampt & @Masterpokertell
Final Verdict: Is Master Poker Tells Worth It?
Master Poker Tells stands out in a crowded market because it treats live reads as a system, not a collection of anecdotes.
The course is structured, professionally produced, and rooted in years of focused study rather than recycled poker folklore. It doesn’t overpromise, and it repeatedly emphasizes that tells are a supplement to strong fundamentals, not a shortcut around them.
What it offers is a framework. Instead of vaguely “trusting your gut,” players are given categories, scoring methods, and real examples that can be practiced and refined over time. For live players, that added layer of awareness means +EV and therefore, ultimately, more money in your pocket at the end of play.
If you’re purely an online grinder, it's not the site for you. But if you regularly sit at live tables and want to sharpen the human side of the game, Master Poker Tells provides a thoughtful, insightful and well-organized way to do it.
Master Poker Tells FAQs
Is Master Poker Tells suitable for beginners?
Yes. While players with a solid understanding of ranges and fundamentals will likely get the most immediate value, beginners can still benefit from learning how to observe and interpret live behavior early in their poker journey.
Is there a free trial available?
Yes. By registering for free, you gain access to 11 essential tells, the course introduction, and practical examples, allowing you to explore the training before committing to a paid plan.
Is the course available in English?
Yes. The original course is recorded in Spanish, but the English version is fully dubbed and includes subtitles, maintaining the clarity and structure of the lessons.
Do poker tells really work at high levels?
Tells do not replace strong technical fundamentals, but they can complement them. Even elite players process complex information under pressure, and subtle behavioral cues can provide additional context in live settings.
Is Master Poker Tells a subscription service?
No. There are no recurring subscriptions. You choose your preferred plan, make a one-time payment, and receive access accordingly.
Can I revisit the lessons after completing them?
Yes. The course includes a progress tracker, and modules can be revisited at any time for revision and reinforcement.
Is Master Poker Tells a scam?
It’s natural to be sceptical about poker tells, as reading physical behaviour can seem an uncertain science at first. However, Master Poker Tells is built on years of research and a structured approach, with each tell illustrated through real examples from players at live tables, alongside clear demonstrations and scoring. Students consistently praise how practical and easy to apply the lessons are with tons of positive testimonials, plus the free introductory content lets you explore part of the course before deciding if it’s right for you.
