The term ‘poker face’ was coined in the 1870s by poker players to bluff other players into thinking they had a good or bad hand. The point is to keep your face as expressionless as possible, so your opponents cannot tell what hand you have. This way, the other players won’t know how to call. Over time, the term ‘poker face’ migrated into a context beyond poker and was adopted in the workplace and other sports.
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In a poker tournament, having a good poker face can be as important as getting the right hand to play with. If you have a bad hand, but your opponents don’t know, you can bluff other players to raise more than they should. If you are an emotional and expressive person, let us share some tips on how to have a great poker face.
Yes, most of this sounds only applicable to land-based, face-to-face poker. However, that isn’t true. There are approximations online players can make. Your ‘face’ when you’re playing at poker games you’ve found on dappgambl.com/crypto/ethereum-casinos/ might not typically be your ‘face’, but it’s your front, your presentation – all the things other players can read.
Relax Your Face
Your facial expression is the first giveaway in a game of poker. It could be a small smile when you have a good hand or a grimace when it is bad. By your facial expression, other players will guess how good your hand is, which could cost you money. Some people have subconscious ‘tells’ such as an eyebrow twitch when nervous or biting the inside of their mouth. These are things professional players look for in their opponents. It doesn’t take long for your fellow players to pick up what your tell is.
In order to relax your face, you need to clear your mind; this may sound counter-productive, considering you are in the middle of a game. But professional players swear by this, concentrate on something other than your hand or the table for a few minutes. Professional player Jackie Glazier counts at the table, not the cards but just random counting that will centre her mind and gather her emotions.
Remember, it's easier to maintain a stoic and relaxed face when your emotions are under control.
Eye Movement
It is crucial to maintain eye contact with other players at the table. Good eye contact shows that you are confident. There is a common belief that shifty eyes are an indication you have something to hide. So try to look forward while working on your eye contact, and avoid staring. Staring at one place or one person for too long will compromise that relaxed, confident look we are going for.
Once someone stares too hard at something or into a blank space, it gives the impression that you are trying too hard to concentrate or you are not that interested. If you appear disinterested, people will assume it's because you have a bad hand and have given up. Or you are concentrating really hard because you have a good hand and want to see who might have better cards than you. Staring also causes your shoulder muscles to tighten, giving you bad posture.
Blink occasionally but not excessively. Try to keep your eye movements to a minimum; flitting eye movements can be a tell to experienced players. Wear sunglasses or tinted glasses so people won't see your eyes if all else fails.
Posture
We know this article is about maintaining a good poker face, but your posture greatly impacts your facial expressions. Something as simple as sitting upright exudes confidence and makes you feel confident no matter the hand you have been dealt with. A slight slouch or defeated shrug those are ‘tells’ to the professional eye.
Finally
Always try to keep your emotions out of the game, be as cool as a British cucumber. Emotional decisions can cost you money in poker. One last tip, breathe. No matter the situation, first breathe and then make a rational decision. As long as you can control your emotions and appear confident even when you don’t feel it, you are well on your way to winning.
Take a moment to decompress and process your emotions at the end of the game so that you don’t take those emotions into the next game.