| No Wonder Why Pros Wear Caps and Glasses: Windtalking in Poker |
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No Wonder Why Pros Wear Caps and Glasses: Windtalking in Poker
Poker is a mind game. The game is concerned not only on the mathematical aspect of probability but also to the emotional aspect of playing the game. While most of the time, poker is played silently, much conversation takes place over the table.
Some habits do die hard. Even master poker players exhibit some of the traits we developed as we grow up or some aspect of humanity fully embedded in our genes. Most of them, however, happen so fast and with little or no apparent change miniscule that it passes inexperienced and careless eyes. One needs a sharp eye and good intuition to guess the player’s hand. Observe your opponent’s actions, look for repetitive movements, and tie them with the way they play and the cards they show or fold, then build a pattern.
When He Says I’ll Win Big
Most bodily reaction to flight or fight situation suggests what kind of card a player is holding. A glint a player’s eye may suggest the player has a strong hand, while looking at his own chips suggests he is thinking how much he will bet when his turn comes. Other reactions like shaking hands, fast breath rates, high blood pressure (watch out for veins) and dry throat suggests that the player you are watching is holding a big hole.
Table behavior can give you an estimate of the odds an opponent will win. Change in gameplay and betting patterns, acting disinterested, rudeness to opponents (to make them tilt), smooth voice (implies confidence) tone and erect posture can give you an idea how strong the opponent’s card is. Additionally, the manner the player stack their chips implies the kind of poker player your opponents are, and therefore you can make assumptions on your opponents’ betting patterns.
When He Says I Better Brace Myself
Poker players also exhibit certain characteristics when they’re holding a losing hand. A player who spends more time looking at the flop and their hole cards especially when it shows same-suited cards implies that his cards are unsuited and he just missed his chances to build a flush. Garbled voice and irregular sentence patterns means he’s not too intent in talking to you because his mind is off to somewhere else, probably his cards. Irregular breathing patterns, signs of nervousness and repetitious movement also suggest that the player is bluffing, ergo, holding weak cards or they are ready to fold and they want a new hand.
Table characteristics like sudden increase in the opponents’ level of attention may also mean they have a weak hand and they are praying for a beneficial flop. Intimidation of players is also a characteristic of a player who is holding unsuited and numbered cards. Politeness most of time denotes weakness of the hand, and any attempts to show strength with it is bluffing. |
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