Archive for the ‘Poker Etiquette’ Category

Your Poker Image and Which One You Should Keep

Friday, January 8th, 2010

Most poker players are totally unaware that they project an image at any given time during a game. They are either unaware that an image should be thoughtfully maintained or are attempting to project no image by keeping that “poker face.” Some actually believe that their hooded sweatshirt, shades and moody expression communicates nothing to the other players.

These players are not invisible and they will give out sufficient information for the experts to pounce on. Their very image of non-imageness will draw more highly skilled players towards them because the pros sense an amateur here. Not only that, but they may be frightening off the less skilled players, the very ones they want to profit from.

A neutral expression does not make you difficult to observe. Well-managed communication with opponents, if properly done, will give a much better result than holding on to that blank, wordless image. Blankness is undoubtedly a sign of frailty rather than robustness.

Any retreat from active involvement is always a weakness. These blank-faced players do not know that to the expert opponent they still have tells of some kind to divulge at some point or other during a game. They are human after all.

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.

World class poker players are aware that they are always projecting an image and so are ever-mindful of just what that image is. Their images are calculated to protect their interests, not to scare people away. This calculated manipulation of the game, beyond superior technique and skill, allows them to create a positive environment for their heedless victims.

Visit Rakeback Solution for the best Rakeback rates and Rakeback Promotions.

Tags: , ,
Posted in Poker Etiquette, Poker Psychology, Table Image | No Comments »

Serious Poker is No Lure for Poker Fish

Monday, December 7th, 2009

Nothing keeps a poker amateur away from the table so much as the types regularly seen on TV’s World of Poker.  You know the types, they wear big shades, big hats, or big hooded sweatshirts completely shutting out all humanity.  They appear arrogant and intimidating and they are.  They keep anyone but players like them away from the table.

Generally speaking, the amateur is looking for a game among people as gregarious as he is.  For him, the game is not a way to make real money but a means to a few hours of fun in a social setting.  It may be someone escaping from the routine of the office, or a player tired of online poker and seeking that human touch.  They are looking for a table with a relaxed, congenial atmosphere and don’t care so much about winning or losing.  They are attracted to tables where people are enjoying each other.

The professional actually seeking to earn money at the game is going to love a table like that.  All those Fish!  Each one won’t donate a lot to his income, but they will steadily provide the pro with a stream of cash while enjoying the society of amiable people.  They will linger, make risky bets, and lose more while being entertained.

The intimidating table full of folks that don’t talk to each other, don’t look at each other and have created a somber atmosphere will keep the amateur far, far away.

The amateur is seeking the opposite of the above.  He wants good conversation, friendly company, and a table where the players compliment each other on good play.   This table engenders a feeling of warm fuzziness and trust for the amateur and will suck him right in.  They will return to this table again and happily lose money to you.  Remember they are seeking entertainment not an income.

The professional will keep these weaker players in a good mood and enjoying themselves while he fleeces them for as much as he can.  He will make them believe that luck is on their side and, of course, it will be occasionally, such is the nature of luck.  The pro will never emit signs of disgust or indifference.  He will not be arrogant or intimidating.  He also wants everyone to have a good time at his game.

This gregarious, relaxed persona is not necessarily born to the expert players.  They learn it along with the skills and techniques of the game and practice, practice, practice.  This allows them to manipulate situations to their advantage while projecting a very positive and entertaining experience for the little fishies that took their bait.  And, the fishies will thank them for providing them with such an entertaining time at the table.

Visit Rakeback Solution for the best Rakeback rates and Rakeback Promotions.

Tags: , ,
Posted in Poker Etiquette, Poker Psychology, Table Image | No Comments »

Attract More Poker Fish With a More Amiable Poker Game

Sunday, December 6th, 2009

Those serious, arrogant poker professionals gathered around the table in big shades and hooded sweatshirts are out for blood.  They are not attracting amiable amateurs, they are attracting expert players who are the only ones who are not intimidated by their demeanor.  This may be good for TV’s World of Poker, but certainly not for the good players who want to pick up a few bucks.

The average amateur is looking to join in a poker game for some fun and is not really concerned whether he wins or loses.  He’s looking for a way to spend some time with people, a chance to get away from the office routine, or to play with real people instead of online.  He’s going to zero in on a table where everyone seems friendly, relaxed and having a good time.  He is not looking for skilled poker players, just those who enjoy the game and each other’s company.

To the players who want to constantly earn an actual income at the table, these guys are a godsend.  An individual player will probably not lose a lot, but will do so consistently.  If the pro wants some dough he has come to the right place.  These good ol’ boys seeking fun will stay longer, place riskier bets and lose more when they are having fun.

The table where no one looks at anyone else, where no conversation is going on, and everyone is pretty much disguised so no faces can be seen, is keeping the amateurs away in droves.

Conversely, the table with conversation and laughter where everyone is complimenting each other on their “great play” will attract the amateurs.  The amateur sees this behavior as trustworthy and will keep coming back for more.  They will lose all right, but they will do so with such a fine disposition, having received entertainment value instead of money.

By keeping the weaker opponents in a fun loving mood, you will keep up their poker hopes.  They must be good, they are having such a good time.  Luck, being the fickle lady that she is, is sure to fall on them some times.  The relaxed ambience of this table will attract more amateurs, making it a golden opportunity for the player looking for serious money.

True poker professionals have not just honed their poker skills and technique, they have also created an public persona and the ability to use this persona to strategically manipulate the game.  They create an attractive, relaxed, trusting environment for the unsuspecting good time boys.  The suckers will happily lose a little and be thankful to you for entertaining them so well.

Visit Rakeback Solution for the best Rakeback rates and Rakeback Promotions.

Tags: , , ,
Posted in Holdem, Online Poker, Poker Etiquette, Poker Psychology | No Comments »

Poker Fun Attracts Poker Fish

Saturday, December 5th, 2009

It is not uncommon to see professionals regularly playing medium stakes adopt the sulky bully persona. With the somber shades-and-cap, unsmiling, untalkative Tulkinghorn image you are not only likely to attract other and better skilled shadow-warriors, but, looking like a scarecrow, you are likely also to scare away those players who would otherwise constitute the bulk of your overall income.

For the amateur will, for the most part, prefer a table where he thinks he can have a good time, whether he wins or looses. For him the game is not a way of making a living, but quality time. The sociable, successful businessman happy to get out of the office or to have a bit of fun before the foreign meeting, the brilliant computer scientist who likes once in a while to play a real game as opposed to online poker: these people, cruising around the room, are looking for a table where players are relaxed and friendly. They will listen for laughter and scan smiles before they at all try to observe the players’ actual poker skills, and will finally go for those tables where people seem to enjoy themselves.

For a player intending to earn a regular income, it is important to be able to cater to these basic desires of the average amateur. Each amateur will not loose much, but if you entice a constant stream of them you will constantly gain. Moreover, an amateur is likely to stay longer at a table, dare more, bet higher, and loose more with a good will if they are having a good time.

At a table where nobody initiates any human contact and there is no way to see what the opponents look like behind their cases of armor nothing keeps the amateur to leave as soon as they lose once, never to return.

On the other hand, a good conversation and a sense of humor combined with a slightly flattering play which keeps the amateur trusting he has a chance will increase the chances of that player coming back for more next time, perhaps even specifically seeking out your table. Since they do not play for the money or the excitement of high stakes, they will not regret as much having lost to an entertaining player.

Keep your weaker opponents in a good mood and you will keep up their good hopes, believing that luck may still take their side. Good time and occasional “luck” may turn them into regular players and into regular income and attract still more amateurs. But a show of cold indifference will only make them disgusted with themselves or the table or both.

Top professionals carefully invent their poker persona. Their key to success lies not only in superior technique but often in the ability to create, through persona and ability to manipulate the game cleverly, situations which project a positive experience for their unsuspecting prey. They make sure that those who are about to loose salute them.

Visit Rakeback Solution for the best Rakeback rates and Rakeback Promotions.

Tags: , , ,
Posted in Gambling, Poker Etiquette, Table Selection | No Comments »

Your Poker Persona – Suit of Armor?

Wednesday, December 2nd, 2009

Why is that many serious players of the game of poker want to project a stoic persona?  Could they be trying to hide their tells by emitting a somber, almost zombie-like presence?  They come off as moody and sinister behind those dark glasses and hooded sweatshirts, like maybe they have holsters and a lightning draw ala Wyatt Earp.  Do they know how they appear to others, do they care?

There has got to be some kind of method to their madness.  Undoubtedly some of them think they can confuse and deflate opponents by their intimidation and arrogance, thereby, discouraging them from any sound play against them.  Theirs is a sullen, bullying persona, which may be the only one they have the imagination to pull off.  Some of them may actually be that dark, insolent person, but I rather think that they are hiding behind a lack of creativity.

The player should consider the image they are actually projecting around a poker table.  If they were to seriously look at the schoolyard bully persona they choose to project, they would see that while it may work on some of their victims, most of the really ripe ones will be totally deterred from playing with such a dour, frightening type.  In other words instead of attracting valid prey that could actually add to their coffers, they are encouraging them to run the other way.

It may have exactly the opposite effect and attract the more secure, professional players who are looking for such an atmosphere so they can practice intimidation and arrogance on you.  These guys may be difficult to get rid of because they may sense you to be the weaker player and proceed to empty your wallet.  This will keep them coming back for more.

If the sullen, serious type isn’t really you, you are spending way too much time on your phony image and not enough on your cards.  It is almost impossible to play several rounds of poker with an impassive façade.  While you do need a special poker persona to strategically manipulate situations to your advantage, it should be one that is comfortable for you, not one which takes a lot of concentration to maintain.  Your concentration should be focused on reading your opponents personae and the cards that are dealt.

It is probably not a good idea to be completely natural at the poker table, a friendlier, more outgoing image will result in greater enjoyment of the game for you and everyone else.  If you are not naturally a gregarious individual, practice being more so.

Don’t even try to keep up an image that is totally at odds with who you really are.  You will not reach your full potential this way, since you are locked into an uncomfortable position.  Save your energy for the cards and observation of those personae around you and how they play the game.

While a costume of big shades, big hats, and big coats in a darkened poker den may appear to require less effort, for the professional player, it is better to show more of yourself.  It takes less time and energy, but you just may become the poker player you always envisioned you could be.

Visit Rakeback Solution for the best Rakeback rates and Rakeback Promotions.

Tags: , ,
Posted in Brick and Mortar, Poker, Poker Etiquette, Poker Psychology, Table Image | No Comments »

Poker Etiquette 101

Sunday, November 15th, 2009

Most of would agree that common decency and politeness are the rule when involved in any social gathering, whether it be high tea or a game of poker.  Some poker players forget this however, and choose to take their frustrations and pent up anxieties out on their opponents in the mistaken belief that it will aid their bluff.  If this is you, stick to an online game that involves bots and not live players.

Behavior is a very telling part of any human being.  The polite but brisk behavior of a focused, resolute poker player is at the table to play a quality, honest game..  The novice who is just learning the game will exhibit the same type of behavior if he is also a focused, purposeful player.  Both are sure to take common everyday etiquette into consideration in whatever their endeavor.

A professional is known as one because of his demeanor as well as expertise in his field.  He knows a pleasant atmosphere creates a winning one – for him.  Experience has taught professional poker players that insulting the rookie not only endangers this pleasant environment but also cuts into their profits.  The rookie can be a most profitable opponent.

When playing online with live opponents instead of bots, etiquette is just as important.  The key factor in online games is to minimize chat.  Sending and responding to messages can reveal much about yourself and your hand.  The interpretation of messages flying about can also be very misleading.  Messages may offer a major distraction to the game at hand.  You may want to politely end all chatting for a time or for the entire round..

Just as it is considered impolite to discuss your income with outsiders, it is equally so to discuss your level of mastery of the game or of any acquaintances’ game.  So if you are indulging in a chatfest, you may be revealing way more than you intend.

If there is no way out, keep your chatting politely reserved and try to minimize it for everyone.  Save the pithy gossip for the water cooler or chat room.  Stay away from creating a negative atmosphere by your choice of words.  You want a neutral environment to play your most winning game.

Attempting to anger your opponents into better play is a tactic that just doesn’t work and may backfire by showing the table your actual level of ability.  Believe it or not, blatant rudeness is officially taboo in most online poker rooms.

Don’t type messages in upper case, this denotes loudness and that you are screaming at the recipient, which makes you seem overly emotional and out of control.  Not good in a poker game.  You want to be the cool cat, the one with poise and grace under pressure.  A veritable Cool Hand Luke.

Visit Rakeback Solution for the best Rakeback rates and Rakeback Promotions.

Tags: , ,
Posted in Gambling, Poker, Poker Etiquette | No Comments »

Practicing Proper Poker Etiquette at the Table

Friday, November 13th, 2009

The rules of decency and good behavior when engaging in any activity with other people are automatically practiced by most people as they are in any social gathering.  Activities involving software are another matter and the well-designed application will not take offense at the occasional outburst of pent up emotion and aggression.  So, if you play poker to get rid of your Neanderthal instincts and redirect your frustration, stick with the bot opponents.   Unfortunately not everyone follows this advice and thinks that bluffing while playing poker with humans requires behaving like the schoolyard bully.

A lot about a person can be ascertained by his behavior, especially when involved with other players in a game of poker.  The expert player comes off as focused and purposeful in his manner, even though he may be politely brisk.  He is there for an honest, competitive  game of quality poker.  As for the student of the game, the more sincere, purposeful and focused he is, the better the chances that he is following the basic rules of etiquette.

Professionals are known for both being masters at their craft and masters of manners.  A pleasant atmosphere is the result of good manners which makes a focused, professional game a reality.  Common sense dictates that insulting your opponents is always a mistake, they are responsible for your game being profitable.

It may seem odd, but etiquette is also required in on line games when playing with live opponents.  Above all, keep chat to a minimum.  Every message you send or respond to may reveal unintended information.  Every message you receive may mislead you.  The more chat going on, the more distracting it becomes.  Keep the chat to a minimum or do without it altogether.

By incessantly chatting, you may be revealing your level of mastery (or lack thereof) to your opponents.  This is not good for your game whatever your level may be.  Being discreet is usually a good idea, but especially so in poker.

Always be polite but save the salacious stuff for the water cooler.  You will be doing the table a favor.  An online poker game is not a chat room and treating it as such wastes time and opportunity.  Negative language will not achieve any goal.  It will only pollute the atmosphere and you want to keep the atmosphere pure and neutral.

Attempting to raise the ire of your opponents by insulting their technique is not going to increase your odds of winning and again, may reveal more than you intended about you and your level of mastery.  Out and out rudeness is officially not allowed in most online rooms.

If you must type a message, avoid doing so in upper case.  This comes across as shouting or expressing yourself in an intensely emotional vein, which has no place in a game of cards.  This is the mark of an immature player and reveals much more about your true self than you intended.  No matter what, be cool, and never let anyone see you sweat.

Visit Rakeback Solution for the best Rakeback rates and Rakeback Promotions.

Tags: , ,
Posted in Poker, Poker Etiquette, Poker Psychology | No Comments »

Poker Etiquette

Wednesday, November 11th, 2009

It may sound obvious to some that playing any game with other people requires some basic sense of decency and poise. Well-designed software will usually bear the brunt of your aggression and impatience with saintly resignation and if your purpose for playing poker is to get rid of pent up emotion or to redirect frustration you had better stick to customized bot opponents. But it is surprising the amount of people who behave like bullies and hillbillies, sometimes in the belief that it is a manner of bluffing.

Behavior, obviously tells a lot about a player, and I think one may fairly depend that reserved, politely brisk behavior is characteristic of a focused, purposeful player who is there to stay for some decent, quality or at least honest games. The reverse is also true: the more purposeful and efficient learner a player is, the more they are likely to intuit basic etiquette.

Professionals are characterized both by mastery of the medium and impeccable manners. Good manners create a pleasant atmosphere which makes it easier to focus on winning. Experience and plain common sense dictate that you do not insult rookies, since they are a profitable source.

There is definitely as great a need for etiquette on line as in live games. First and foremost, minimize chatting. Remember that every time you type a message, you reveal information, as well as receiving it. Information gleaned that way may easily mislead, and frequent messages, to you or between others, may distract. It is sensible, depending on your sensibilities, to even close the chat for the duration of the game or at any specific stage.

It is definitely a bad idea to discuss your or your friend’s level of mastery. What is less obvious is that by chatting voluminously you may easily inadvertently reveal your level of expertise.

If you must, greet friends and answer questions with polite reserve. Save the juicy chit-chat for ICQ: you will be doing your friends, and the rest of the table, as much a favor as yourselves. Games do not happen in chat rooms, but in Time – a realm beyond the control of your laser-pad mouse – and wasted time is wasted opportunity. Avoid using negative language: it will not achieve as much as you perhaps think it might and will unnecessarily pollute the atmosphere with repulsion. A few nice words to anybody may help, or will simply keep the atmosphere adequately neutral.

Moreover, angering your opponents into better play criticizing their technique will not increase your chances, and will likely reveal your own actual abilities to other players. Straightforward rudeness is officially prohibited in most online rooms.

Typing in UPPER CASE means you are speaking in upper key, i.e. shouting or expressing abnormally intense emotion. This has no place at the poker table. You do not want to betray any unbalanced emotion, such as frustration, greed, or anger. Play with grace under pressure. Even if you don’t like Hemmingway, it will still lend your play at least a patina of cool intelligence and impressive nonchalance.

Visit Rakeback Solution for the best Rakeback rates and Rakeback Promotions.

Tags: , ,
Posted in Online Poker, Poker, Poker Etiquette | No Comments »