no poker face

gokorda · Apr 23,2006, 11:30 PM

okay guys. I assume this is a bit of a problem for anyone who plays mostly online poker, but it applies to me especially becuase I'm terrible with showing my emotions on my face.

I can not lie, or at least i dont' fool anyone for more than a few seconds, when this giant grin makes it's way to my face.

is there anything i can do to help this? would practicing keeping a straight face in daily situations actually help my live game any?

thanks.

jpajamas · Apr 23,2006, 11:45 PM

Do a Chris Ferguson. Keep your hands folded infront of your face, do EXACTLY the same thing each hand, then act.( Get sunglasses and a hoodie, maybe a motorcycle helmet if your really bad.

)

esool · Apr 23,2006, 11:46 PM

Put a giant grin on your face every time you are in a hand regardless of what you are holding.

gokorda · Apr 23,2006, 11:53 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by esool

Put a giant grin on your face every time you are in a hand regardless of what you are holding.

I've actually thought of doing that, but figured I'd be laughed at immensely. and my cheeks woudl get tired

toppair.ca · Apr 24,2006, 12:43 AM

I have a hard time when it with freinds, but if i'm at the casino there is no messen around.

TheBusDriver · Apr 24,2006, 12:24 PM

I've tried the stone face Phil Ivey thing, just doesn't work for me. If your the type of player who plays with alot of emotion. Then use it to your advantage. If you can't help grinning & laughing, then exaggerate you reactions. Do it all the time, even when your not in the hand. (stuff like, after you fold. make a big groan when the flop hits).

In everything you do, do it honestly. Dont try to be deceptive. If your bluffing and your nervous you'll get called, bite your nails, tap the table nervously.

The other players will think your such a bad actor, they will call your monsters, and fold your bluffs.

For extra effect start showing your cards when you successfully bluff. Then the next time you do one of your over the top performancing. You'll confuse the hell out of opponents. He'll be thinking "He can't be bluffing again using that same shaky hand tell, this time he wants me to call"

jpajamas · Apr 24,2006, 01:58 PM

You could do a Phil Gordon, and look worried sick all the time...

pkrfce9 · Apr 24,2006, 02:16 PM

Nothing says you have to look your opponents in the face. Just stare down at their hands and you might pick up something from this as well.

moose · Apr 24,2006, 04:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TheBusDriver

Do it all the time, even when your not in the hand.Â* (stuff like, after you fold. make a big groan when the flop hits).

I don't know. If I have a guy at my table making comments about the board - in or out of the hand - I get the floor pretty quick. I find that pretty disrespectful of the players in the hand.

Yorkpoker · Apr 24,2006, 09:12 PM

play lots and lots and lots of live poker until you've seen it all, heard it all, felt it all and been beaten with it all.

That's the only way to develop one.

The people here are being helpful, but anyone looking will be able to see adrenaline, changes in face colour and things like this. Play enough (and play carefully) so that you learn to control this stuff.

I liken your question to, "how do I develop a 100 mph slap shot" or "how do I get my curveball to break", to which the only real anser is, of course, practise.

sstar · Apr 24,2006, 09:33 PM

Like Busdriver said, a stone face is not the only way to go. Maybe try toÂ* show ALL your emotions, but mix them up.Â* When you watch guys like Negraneau, or especially Gus Hanson...they make ton's of faces while thinking through the hands.Â* So many that it must be really hard for their opponents to get any sort of a read from that particular aspect of their body language.Â* Â*Of course getting a read is not all in the face but...maybe something to consider.

sstar

roketinpoket · Apr 26,2006, 07:53 PM

I picture naked women when I playing so I got a big grin all the time...come to think of it maybe that's why I like playing so much.

ChrisWinsor · Apr 27,2006, 03:50 PM

dark shades are key. They hide your eyes from your opponents which is the biggest tell of all. Where you look, what happens to your eyes when you hit a monster etc. A hat might also be a good idea or a sweater. Case and Point, Unibomber or Phil Hellmuth. I'm starting to immitate hellmuths dark shades and hands at the face to cover any involuntary facial expressions.

y2money · Apr 28,2006, 11:02 AM

At a live table I usually wear a hat and pull down the brim to just above my eyebrows, the rational is that if I don't or they can't look into my eyes or theres they can't reallly read my that well.