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 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.
You should think carefully about the image you project. The bully persona, even if done well, is probably not effective. It may work on some opponents, but mostly it works against you. It may also attract the type of opponents that you want to steer clear of the experts. If you sit there looking like a hawk, your prey will run in the opposite direction.
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 faade. 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.
Keeping up a persona radically antithetical to yourself won t allow your full potential to unfold, since you are virtually playing poker in a straightjacket, while the effort saps even more of your concentration without contributing any vigor to your game.
Thus, shades and a baseball cap in the dimly lit poker room may only seem to require less effort. It may be better, for the professional player, to spend some time observing one s own ways and selectively organizing them into the poker player you wish to be and actually can be at the table.
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