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Having a “poker face” is one of the quintessential components of this famous card game. To beat your opponents, you’ll need to be able to fool them with a simple look. While this may seem complicated, the secret to a great poker tournament face-off is to focus on nothing at all. Use this guide to improve your next game.

The Importance of a Poker Face

When you get to the poker tournament table, you’ll need to make major decisions based on limited knowledge. You don’t know what kind of cards the other players are holding, and you don’t want them to know whether you have a good or bad hand.

In poker, the winners are usually the best at lying, or at least, concealing what they know. You won’t want your neighbors to know whether you’re thrilled or disappointed, as this could inform them when to bet against you—either in this game or the next. By creating a “poker face,” you’ll put your guard up physically by blocking your fellow players from sensing your emotions.

How to Create One

poker tournamentExperienced poker players are well-versed in common tells—while lip biting, rapid blinking, and a tense mouth can indicate a weak hand, sitting up suddenly, breathing deeply, and avoiding blinking can point to a strong one. It’s also important to consider how you treat the poker supplies. Putting chips into the pot with force indicates a false sense of confidence, while sheepishly pushing them in looks like you’re trying to hide a winning hand.

The best “poker face” takes all of these aspects into account, from your facial expressions and breathing to your posture and hand motions. To fool your opponents, you’ll need to act the same way every time. Instead of trying to keep a blank expression, whether you’re winning or losing, focus on acting the same way no matter what. If you commit to a relaxed stance, a pleasantly firm demeanor, and slow hand movements every time, your opponents won’t have any clues to work off of.

If you’re still not confident in your own poker face, you can use sunglasses as a temporary fix. These will prevent players from seeing shifty eye motions, which express nervousness, or wide, excited eyes. However, you’ll still have to be careful about your breathing and your upper body's position.

 

If you’re hoping to try out these tips at a poker tournament near you, head to The Office Lounge in Foley, AL. This celebrated local bar hosts Texas Hold 'Em tournaments for area residents, so you can grab a beer or a glass of wine before playing. In addition to poker, they also offer dart machines, shuffleboard, and 10 pool tables. To learn more about this local hotspot, visit their website, or call (251) 970-0043 to speak with a friendly staff member.

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