It may be entirely beyond the average poker player that at any moment of the game he or she projects a specific image. Players are either unaware of the fact that an image had better be consciously maintained or trying to avoid projecting any image by assuming a sort of somberly inexpressive expression. Shielded behind shades and baseball cap, unsmiling, moodily silent, they believe that they thus "minimize" communication with the rest of the table.
But unless they completely disappear - did Welles's invisible man play poker? - they will always project just enough information for good players to exploit. They are not only likely to attract other and better skilled silent scarecrows similar to themselves, but they are also likely to scare away those players who would otherwise constitute the bulk of their regular income.
To become utterly neutral is not the same as to become beyond observation. Active controlled communication with opponents, when managed correctly, is likely to yield much better result than a blank attitude. A blank attitude is most probably, in most cases, a sign of weakness rather than of sense or strength.
If it is a retreat from controlled active participation, it is always a weakness (the alternative is not hyperactivity, but balanced calculated manipulation). Moreover, these players probably do not suspect that for the skilled opponent they probably still have tells of one type or another somewhere about their inevitably, even if reluctantly, living breathing person.
A non-serious player will look for a table where folks seem to be having fun. They will cruise around the room until they stumble upon the table with laughing friendly players gathered around. They are not looking for a serious game but for some fun and so a potential opponent's skills are not a priority.
On the other hand, those that play poker as a profession are also looking for that table of good time Charlies. Nothing like a bunch of fun loving amateurs to whet the pros appetite for the game. The laughing amateur will linger at the table as long as he has having fun and may not even notice he is losing his shirt. He will not play with a bunch of non-communicative, somber zombies.
Sparkling conversation and a sense of fun in combination with compliments on others play will keep an amateur in a trusting frame of mind and keep him returning to that table again and again. They don't play for an income or for the thrill of risk so they will not be upset by losing to an amusing opponent.
By keeping weaker opponents in a fun frame of mind, you encourage their high hopes of lady luck finding her way to them. Lady luck will visit occasionally and turn them into frequent players and attract still more fun-loving amateurs to the table. If you display a cold attitude, they will leave.
The best professionals are aware that they project an image and so are cautious as to what that image is at any given time. They have created an image to add to their interests, not to shun others. They have learned their superior technique through experience and have learned to manipulate the game to their advantage by creating a persona that establishes a positive environment in which everyone wants to join in including the heedless, fun-loving victim. - 31406
But unless they completely disappear - did Welles's invisible man play poker? - they will always project just enough information for good players to exploit. They are not only likely to attract other and better skilled silent scarecrows similar to themselves, but they are also likely to scare away those players who would otherwise constitute the bulk of their regular income.
To become utterly neutral is not the same as to become beyond observation. Active controlled communication with opponents, when managed correctly, is likely to yield much better result than a blank attitude. A blank attitude is most probably, in most cases, a sign of weakness rather than of sense or strength.
If it is a retreat from controlled active participation, it is always a weakness (the alternative is not hyperactivity, but balanced calculated manipulation). Moreover, these players probably do not suspect that for the skilled opponent they probably still have tells of one type or another somewhere about their inevitably, even if reluctantly, living breathing person.
A non-serious player will look for a table where folks seem to be having fun. They will cruise around the room until they stumble upon the table with laughing friendly players gathered around. They are not looking for a serious game but for some fun and so a potential opponent's skills are not a priority.
On the other hand, those that play poker as a profession are also looking for that table of good time Charlies. Nothing like a bunch of fun loving amateurs to whet the pros appetite for the game. The laughing amateur will linger at the table as long as he has having fun and may not even notice he is losing his shirt. He will not play with a bunch of non-communicative, somber zombies.
Sparkling conversation and a sense of fun in combination with compliments on others play will keep an amateur in a trusting frame of mind and keep him returning to that table again and again. They don't play for an income or for the thrill of risk so they will not be upset by losing to an amusing opponent.
By keeping weaker opponents in a fun frame of mind, you encourage their high hopes of lady luck finding her way to them. Lady luck will visit occasionally and turn them into frequent players and attract still more fun-loving amateurs to the table. If you display a cold attitude, they will leave.
The best professionals are aware that they project an image and so are cautious as to what that image is at any given time. They have created an image to add to their interests, not to shun others. They have learned their superior technique through experience and have learned to manipulate the game to their advantage by creating a persona that establishes a positive environment in which everyone wants to join in including the heedless, fun-loving victim. - 31406
About the Author:
The author is a successful limit cash game player. He plays poker online and receives Paradise Rakeback and Fortune Poker Rakeback.
