How to Use Your Image
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Poker and image go hand in hand. Not only in the way poker players dress with their distinctive sunglasses and designer attire but in the way they play poker. You should be conscious of how you are perceived by your opponents as this double level thinking can help you decide a reason for your opponents play. There are many ways to shape and use your image in poker and below are just a few of them.
Things like image manipulation is not usually covered in a poker school, but check out the bwin poker school for information on how to play each type of poker game and how to improve.
For those advanced Texas Hold ‘em players among you, read on.
Body Language
You can manipulate your body language to be either positive or negative but be careful! Actors talk about “leaving their characters at work” when they finish filming for the day and thinking and appearing negatively can start to make you feed bad if you do it too much. Looking strong when you are weak and weak when you are strong is not an advanced strategy, but some players still fall for it, particularly newer players.
I always recommend players having a confident air at the table because a raise because of opponents sensing unease is still a raise!
Table Talk
Using table talk (or chat box online) is a good way of appearing on tilt or under control. Many players hit the chat box online and are often banned for illegal uses of it by using swear words or abuse. They look on tilt and vulnerable. Players doing this will usually dislike being raised or beaten in a hand. You can appear to be tilting although this is a superficial part of playing poker. Don’t use all of your energy and forget to concentrate on the play!
I find putting in a little comment or joke or sign gives out signs to your opponents. What they do with those signs and how they interpret them may present you with an opportunity further down the line in the cash game or poker tournament.
Self Deprecation
If you are an unknown player you might like to create an image that you are new to the game and are unsure about what you are doing. A little like a pool hustler not looking too good in practise you can create an air of vulnerability that can push opponents into making marginal plays that you can exploit.
Image in poker is how you are perceived by others. Subtly giving out false signals (but not overselling) will disguise the natural tells we all give out, even those of us who make statues look wobbly! These types of ideas should not dominate your thinking there are plenty more important things to think about during a cash game or tournament situation but if you are aware of your image and how this image may be being perceived by your opponents there may be a situation crop up where you can take advantage of this and win a pot that you may otherwise have lost.
By Malcolm Clarke
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