Poker is a game of emotion, or if you want to look at it in another way, a game about controlling emotion. When you sit down at a poker table you are sitting down with people who all want one thing, to win the game. A lot of people think that poker is a bunch of people sitting around at the poker table just playing cards. What they fail to realize is that a lot more than just card playing is happening. In fact what is going on is an intense game of strategy, and for lack of a better term, psychological warfare. Each person playing in the poker game will use a variety of expressions, moods, and mannerisms to try and get the other players to act in a certain way. However, there is no need to feel overwhelmed by this. If you just relax and take a look at what is going on, even novice poker players can use this psychological warfare to their advantage.
While every poker player is unique, most behavior breaks down into a few simple categories. The first, and maybe most common, is the quiet act. This is the person who does not say anything, seldom moves, and always seems to be looking into everyone else’s soul. The advantage to this way of acting is that you don’t give much away and that if done right you can unnerve other players. The problem with this poker face is that it is difficult to maintain over long periods of time, and that any emotional expression you make will not be missed by the other players.
The next common poker archetype is the loud guy. This person talks constantly, tries to make everyone their best friend, or in some cases intimidate the other players, and works very hard to distract people from the game. This poker face works real well for distracting people, but can also cause you to become distracted yourself. Also in some games being loud will earn the enmity of other players and they may all start to go after you.
Next on the list is the bully. This kind of player uses their size, their behavior and even the way they bet in an attempt to intimidate the other people playing poker. They will often try to dominate a larger part of the table with their arms, and will generally complain and fuss over anyone that is taking to long. While this may seem to be an effective strategy, it is also a good way to get the other poker players not to like you.
In the end you will develop your own way of approaching the psychological aspects of the game of poker. However if you study other people, remain calm and patient, you will find yourself having some degree of success.