Watch any poker show on TV and you’ll see players talking the whole time they’re playing. A big part of the reason for this is because the show’s producers only want the entertaining moments shown on TV; so you’re not going to catch the times when everyone is sitting around the table doing nothing which is what happens in real life. Getting right to the point, don’t try to emulate the pros by talking it up at the table just because it looks cool to do so on TV.
When you are constantly talking, other players are able to extract information that they can use against you. Some of the common questions players will ask when they’re trying to get you to talk in a big hand are:
Will you show your hand if I fold?
Should I call your bet?
What do you have over there?
That bet didn’t scare you, did it?
Many times novice players will blindly answer these questions just to say something which is a big mistake. Depending on how you answer these questions, a veteran player can learn everything they need to know about you. And it’s not just the words you say either since your eye contact, breathing, and other things can give away your hand too.
Just remember that you don’t have to answer any of these questions just to appear social. Other players don’t ask you these things because they’re trying to befriend you. Instead, they’re trying to get you to give them the info they need to make major decisions as well as read your tells.
Seeing as how this is the case, many skilled players will simply keep their mouth shut when asked these kinds of questions. There’s no rule that says you have to respond to any of the aforementioned questions, and it is best that you don’t in order to avoid falling into any traps.
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98% (at least online imo) are fun to watch or participate in, the other 2% is just annoying trash talk. But I agree, it can give a lot of info… maybe more in live poker.
On the other hand, sometime it is good to use table talk just to set some kind of image. The hard thing is to use it without looking “stupid” and reveal too much of your own game.
Dice clay said it best “with friends like you who needs an enema” In this case silence really is golden!
Well its not really that big of an idea anyway most people are not really taking into account what people are saying anyway. Its not like anyone is taking notes and who is retaining all that info anyway so whocares really, people are just having fun
Yes people do say a lot of stupid questions at the table which are never answered. So instead of asking questions i more just make statements. For example “your hair is very funny looking” or when someone asks me a question trying for information about my hand i just reply with “suck me”. These are great ways of holding back information about your hand. So remember to not ask me questions cuz u will just get insulted.
Here is a take on commentators I published while watching the 2008 WSOP This is a good piece for comment of the week.
Like most people, Ive started watching the World Series of Poker on ESPN as most people who play or enjoy watching poker do. Its considered the ” Big Game” of poker as the word “Super—-” is so trademarked even whispering it could be considered infringement. Three Events in now, and like most people ,I am truly glad Edogg ( Erick Lindgrin) won his first bracelet, a true poker ambassador. Watching the action and the win remind us what a great player he is.
However the down side. Is it just me or is Lon Macheron (Mr Personality) and Norman Chad ( the mouth piece of the WSOP on ESPN) starting to seem more and more like those two old guys in the balcony seats on the Muppet Show?? I enjoy a good ex wife joke as much as the next guy but Norman, when youve been married more times than Madonna has changed looks, those jokes tend to get tired. Im waiting for the day when Lon Macheron gets tired of his dumb jokes and lame wise cracks and drop kicks him back in to a time when that mustache of his was socially acceptable.
Im loving his new obsession with Patrik Antonius too this year hes bringing something new to the show. Of course my theory is that its because both Phil Ivey and ” He’s freakin Allen Cunningham”probably have filed restraining orders against him for his bizarre comments in the past.
But all in all they both make some sort of weird broadcast team an Abbot and Costello of Poker if you will. Perhaps more like Sonny and Cher or Lewis and Martin. Either way by the end of the Series theyve grown on you and Ill take them over Gabe “Welcome Back Carter” Kaplan any day!
This is just how I see it folks!
Pokerdog283