Don\’t Put Your Persona in A Straightjacket When Playing Poker
It seems that many serious players in poker, in trying perhaps to project a minimum of tells, project a kind of moody, somber, or even sinister effect, sunglasses and sun-visors sealing off unshaven faces as if they had a pair of six-shooters under the table. One wonders whether they know what exactly they are trying to gain or whether they simply underestimate the influence of appearance on their own game and on the players around them.
There has to be some reason for their intimidating, arrogant persona. They may be attempting to confuse and frighten their opponents, to keep them from challenging their play (and wallets). Or it may be they have taken on this image because they lack the wit to come up with any other. If you truly are a sinister intimidating bully, then this persona may work for you. Most who try to pull this off look like they themselves are scared and have gone into hiding.
If you have not carefully considered the actual benefits of your image, I am not sure how effective the bully persona finally is. Even if somewhat an effective deterrent – and it is likely to work on somebody; which, however, is not a guarantee of overall effectiveness – in the end it is most likely to attract the kind of opponents you would rather have avoided in the first place. It is like setting a decoy vulture, instead of a decoy duck, and attracting more unwanted vultures rather than the desired game.
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.
It may also prove untrue that behind that impassive faade you are concentrating on the game more intensely then the rest, since, as it were, you don\’t have to do much except keep the shades on. The truth, however, is that for the mind – which is precisely what poker is about – there is no such thing as an impassive faade. If the sulky persona does not come naturally to you, but is the result of your inability or fear to try more conversational and cheery images, your mind is actually hard at work suppressing those reactions more essential to you.
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.
It takes too much concentration to hold on to a persona that is not at all natural to you. It\’s like playing from a locked cage or straightjacket. Your focus will be scattered and your game will lack that robust quality.
So, big shades and big hats and appearing like a bandit with a fast draw only seems to require less effort than developing a persona that is closer to the true you. If you are a professional player, you will spend time observing yourself and envision the player you wish to become. In time you will be this player and have more luck at the table.
The author is a successful limit cash game player. He plays poker online and receives Rakeback at Virgin Poker and Rakeback at Players Only.
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