| Example 1: Some time ago in a
live tournament I was involved in a hand with an opponent. This
opponent was a friendly player when not in a hand but emotionless
during a hand. Time stood still after he made his decision to bet.
To my best attempts I could not get any reaction from this player
and had to rely only on math and analysis. I ended up folding my
hand and not risk half my stack.
I feel my instincts on players is usually dead on. I read well
because I am introspective to my own emotions and tells. This player's
lack of emotions blinded my instincts completely. He took out half
of my poker skills just by his simple non-action. I learned a valuable
lesson that day and used this tactic ever since.
Example 2: I have discovered that by using an emotionless
face you are less prone to being called, especially preflop. This
is very important as you gain more chips without risk. During a
live tournament I noticed a decent player limp in under the gun,
I was next to act with a pair of 9 9
and shortstacked so I took a 20 seconds to think about the pot and give players behind me a chance to look at their cards. Many of the players behind did not seem to like their hands. I
knew if I pushed it would be enough for the 1st player to fold,
so I did. I sat there emotionless and motionless. The player on
the button looked at his hand and started to debate. This took over
2 minutes of time while he decided what to do. I was bombarded with
questions and stares. All I thought about was what's for dinner
after the tournament staring into space as if in a trance. Both
players ended up folding but talked about their hands. One player
had AJo, the other AQo. I gained 50% more chips with no risk. The
statue like stance intimidated both players into folding, I am sure
of it. The longer he took for a decision the more he looked like
he was folding.
Example 3: At another live tournament I built
a shortstack up to chip leader by the final table being uncontested
in every preflop hand I played. My emotionless stance was used in
every situation when I was shortstacked, and in every occurrence
my opponents struggled with decisions but eventually folded. Gaining
chips without risk allowed me to play more hands and steal more
pots later in the tournament when I could afford it, I placed 3rd
of 130 netting a nice profit. Again it is difficult to make a call
when your gut tells you nothing. Sometimes a player makes a wrong
call looking for a tell in their opponents.
In the Past: I used to not be concerned about
what I did when I went all in or made a raise. I was just myself,
talking and joking at the table. I missed a lot of information during other player's hands. Stay focused during your hand and other player's hands. If you want to talk or joke do it while the dealer is collecting chips and shuffling. |
