Most poker players are totally unaware that they project an image at any given time during a game. They are either unaware that an image should be thoughtfully maintained or are attempting to project no image by keeping that \”poker face.\” Some actually believe that their hooded sweatshirt, shades and moody expression communicates nothing to the other players.

Yet they are not invisible and they will always project some kind of persona and divulge enough information for the good player to decipher and use. What they are really doing is attracting better players than themselves to the table and detracting the lamer players that they could actually win money from.

A neutral expression does not make you difficult to observe. Well-managed communication with opponents, if properly done, will give a much better result than holding on to that blank, wordless image. Blankness is undoubtedly a sign of frailty rather than robustness.

Any retreat from active involvement is always a weakness. These blank-faced players do not know that to the expert opponent they still have tells of some kind to divulge at some point or other during a game. They are human after all.

A non-serious player will look for a table where folks seem to be having fun. They will cruise around the room until they stumble upon the table with laughing friendly players gathered around. They are not looking for a serious game but for some fun and so a potential opponent\’s skills are not a priority.

On the other hand, those that play poker as a profession are also looking for that table of good time Charlies. Nothing like a bunch of fun loving amateurs to whet the pros appetite for the game. The laughing amateur will linger at the table as long as he has having fun and may not even notice he is losing his shirt. He will not play with a bunch of non-communicative, somber zombies.

Vibrant conversation and good humor with a few compliments on other\’s good play will earn the expert their trust and keep the amateurs coming back to the table. They are not in the game for money or the rush of adrenaline in a high stakes game. Having a good time is their priority. Losing a little in the meantime is not a problem as long as they are being adequately entertained.

By keeping weaker opponents in a fun frame of mind, you encourage their high hopes of lady luck finding her way to them. Lady luck will visit occasionally and turn them into frequent players and attract still more fun-loving amateurs to the table. If you display a cold attitude, they will leave.

World class poker players are aware that they are always projecting an image and so are ever-mindful of just what that image is. Their images are calculated to protect their interests, not to scare people away. This calculated manipulation of the game, beyond superior technique and skill, allows them to create a positive environment for their heedless victims.

The author is a full time online poker player and makes the majority of his income from his online play and rakeback at NoiQ Poker. To sign up for a Rakeback account of your own visit Rakeback Solution.