Lady Gaga made the term ‘poker face’ far more famous than it has ever been before. It’s possible that many more people might now practise their poker faces. Keeping emotions a secret may be near to impossible for people who identify as extroverts, though it is likely they can learn to fake this. Introverts may have much better luck with this, though it is not guaranteed.
This is probably one of the most difficult things about playing any kind of poker The biggest misconception could perhaps be that ‘poker face’ refers only to the player’s face. The term refers to the player’s body language, with the face being the most visible to the rest of the players at the casino table. The other players will be unable to gauge the strength of your hands and this should make the game far easier to play.
The one truism is that maintaining that million-dollar poker face does become easier once you have spent some time perfecting it. Follow these tips and you’re sure to be successful in all your poker endeavours.
It’s not just about the face. The great poker players know and accept this. Dark sunglasses help if you’re playing at a land-based casino but they’ll only go so far. This is why the rest of your body should be consistent.
Remain calm at all times. Shaking is a dead giveaway as is sweating. Improve your chances by learning meditation or any other relaxation techniques. You want to be in control of your body, not have it control you.
Try to intimidate your opponents. This one may not be that easy for novice players but more experienced players should easily be able to do this. Stare hard at any opponent who catches your eye and maintain eye contact until they blink or look away. This should mess with their head and unnerve them sufficiently, which means you have improved your own chances, at least for that particular hand.
Mirror, mirror on the wall, who has the best poker face of them all? Practise in front of the mirror or with a friend if staring at yourself makes you feel self-conscious.
Author bio:
Piggs Peak Poker wrote this article about the different ways to improve a poker face.