How a poker player outsmarted Wesley Snipes and Doug Polk with subtle tells

One player's sharp eye spotted the tiniest hesitations from Wesley Snipes and Doug Polk. The result? A masterclass in reading opponents under pressure.

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2026 February 20 . 7:31 PM

1 min read

The image shows a group of men sitting around a table playing poker, with coins and cards spread... — The image shows a group of men sitting around a table playing poker, with coins and cards spread out in front of them. In the background, there is a pillar and other objects, suggesting that the men are participating in a poker tournament.

How a poker player outsmarted Wesley Snipes and Doug Polk with subtle tells

A recent poker session revealed how subtle tells can shape high-stakes decisions. During a Hustler stream, an unnamed player faced off against Doug Polk and Wesley Snipes, two experienced opponents. Despite their confidence in hiding tells, the player claimed to read both with surprising accuracy in multiple hands.

The first key hand came against Wesley Snipes. The player watched closely as Wesley Snipes took an unusually long time before calling with pocket queens. Based on his behaviour, the player ruled out aces entirely and was 80-90% certain kings weren't in play. With those possibilities removed, the decision to call became simple.

The dynamics shifted constantly, with each move altering the hand's direction. A similar situation arose against Doug Polk. By studying Doug Polk's tendencies, the player eliminated deuces and sixes from his likely holdings. This insight led to a bold call on the turn, netting an extra 400 blinds.

The player credited their success to careful observation over time. Even small details, like an opponent's momentary distraction, provided valuable clues. Neither Doug Polk nor Wesley Snipes has publicly acknowledged these tells, but the results spoke for themselves.

No records exist of GTO Wizard, a popular poker training tool, competing in live events against players like Doug Polk or Phil Ivey. As a result, no direct comparisons can be made between software strategies and real-world adaptations in these sessions.

The hands demonstrated how behavioural cues can override theoretical strategy. The player's ability to read opponents—despite their reputation for discipline—proved decisive. While no software tracked these adjustments, the outcomes highlighted the enduring role of human intuition in poker.