Putting on a perfect poker face when the tension gets high is harder than you think. It can be tiring to contain your reactions, whether it's from excitement or disappointment. Learning to relax and control emotions is essential for maintaining a neutral expression during a game of poker.
Steps
Part 1 of 3: Keeping Your Facial Expressions Under Control
Step 1. Relax your face
The face is the first element that can betray you and make you lose a game. Keeping emotions and reactions to your hand of cards in check is a fundamental part of poker. Any kind of expression can make you lose the advantage over your opponents. Clear your mind, move your facial muscles to stretch them, take a deep breath and relax.
- You have to keep the situation under control: if you are too stressed, you will not be able to do it.
- By hiding your reactions you will become unbeatable, because no one will be able to understand what you are thinking or what your next move will be.
Step 2. Maintain eye contact with others
You can get the better of other players by keeping your eyes on them and thus showing determination and confidence. This way you will also claim that you have nothing to hide, so others won't know what to expect. Fix your gaze at the bridge of your nose to stay focused.
Step 3. Blink occasionally to avoid staring
Staring too hard into space or at your cards can compromise your poker face. It is a sign that you are not paying attention or that you are too worried about your hand and your chances of winning. Remember to blink so your eyes don't dry out as you focus.
- Blinking too frequently can signal nervousness, so don't overdo it. Find a balance between staring excessively and continually shifting your gaze left and right.
- Keeping your gaze fixed for too long can lead to stiff shoulders and bad posture.
- Visually focusing on just one element can also distract you and cause you to lose an important hand.
Step 4. Keep lips closed and jaw relaxed
The mouth is the main support of the facial muscles: any tension, smile, frown or grin affects the rest of the face. First relax your jaw by letting it drop down, creating space between your back teeth. Then open and close your mouth a few times to help it relax.
- Avoid showing your teeth. Whether it's a small smile or a grimace, if the teeth are visible it means that you are moving your mouth and that could contribute to cheating on you.
- Not grinding your teeth or jaw will reveal the pressure they are under.
Step 5. Look straight ahead
Don't look up, left or right - they can all be little clues to your opponents that you have something to hide, whether it's a good hand or a bad hand of cards. While it may seem difficult, minimize eye movement. Throwing too many glances or raising your eyebrows often can also betray your reactions.
Step 6. Wear sunglasses to conceal your gaze
Do it to have a protective screen, so you don't have to worry about betraying yourself with your eyes. It won't be a problem to use them indoors if there is adequate lighting.
Part 2 of 3: Improving Your Body Language
Step 1. Relax your posture
Take a deep breath, lift your shoulders up to your ears, then let them drop down. Arch your back, then let it settle into a straight, natural position. Shake any tense limbs and move your head in a circular motion. All these exercises will help you regain correct posture and release any tensions that may reveal your state of anxiety.
Step 2. Avoid constantly moving around or adjusting your position or clothes
Whether you're excited or nervous, little tics can betray your emotions. Try to notice if you make small movements caused by nervousness. Watch to make sure you don't show any of the following tics:
- Crack your knuckles;
- Biting your nails;
- Drum with your fingers on the table;
- Move the tie, collar or sleeves of the shirt;
- Rub your face, arms or hand against the other.
Step 3. Divert the tension to something else
Squeeze a stress ball or clench your hands into fists to release the tension your body is building up. It can be difficult to relax the whole body; therefore, if you can't avoid going into tension, try to make sure that only part of it takes charge.
- Hide any movement or tension you feel. For example, clench your fist under the table or press your knees together to redirect the tension to a point where no one can notice it.
- Don't squeeze the cards too tightly, or your knuckles will visibly turn white.
Part 3 of 3: Maintain a Neutral Voice
Step 1. Speak in an even tone of voice appropriate to the situation
Even your voice can betray your emotions: a tremor or an octave jump as you speak can be a signal to opponents. Clear your throat or take a deep breath before speaking so that you have enough air to maintain a natural register.
Step 2. Use a few simple words
Stick to what's happening and you won't need to use a lot of them; stumbling, stammering, or grumbling too frequently are signs of nervousness and insecurity. In particularly stressful situations it is best to speak concisely, clearly and directly.
- Monosyllabic answers are accepted, especially in risky games like poker - it is more important to focus on the game than to chat with your opponents.
- In the case of a match between friends, with no stake at stake, the atmosphere could be more relaxed and the conversation could be more appropriate. Just try to control yourself as you examine the cards in your hand.
Step 3. Make nods if you are not comfortable speaking
If the dealer or someone else asks you a question, you can simply answer with a "Yes", a "No" or a nod. If you'd rather not open your mouth lest your voice betray you, simply use your body language to respond.
- To distract yourself and keep yourself from talking, chew on gum or a snack.
- It can help to think about what you want to say before you speak. This way you can keep yourself from expressing excitement or disappointment.
Step 4. Confuse opponents by talking all the time
To be totally counterintuitive, instead of remaining silent you could decide to comment on every hand of cards or every play. You can also enter false reactions to confuse opponents. Continuous talk can also serve to divert attention from the game towards what you are saying.
- Bluffing is an important part of poker. For example, you might have a bad hand of cards and pretend you have a winning one.
- If you are continually unpredictable in your reactions, no one will be able to guess which ones are true. This is a more difficult technique to implement, but it may work to your advantage.
Advice
- Try practicing in front of the mirror.
- Start by reducing your reactions to a minimum, then eliminating them altogether.
