Don't Give it Away: Talking at the Poker Table

By: The Monster Stack (Guest Blogger)

Hello,

Here is a quick tip regarding table talk, whether you are playing online or live poker. Talking during a hand can more often than not be a detriment rather than an advantage. However, there is a form of table talk that is almost always a negative and should be avoided at all costs. Many times there will be discussion about the way in which a hand was played when it reaches showdown. I urge you to avoid joining in these discussions at all costs, even if you participated in the hand and your opponent comments - negatively or positively - on your play.

The reason for this is that while you think you are having friendly table conversation and simply discussion some poker, the astute player will take note of what you say and use this information when playing future hands against you. For example, even a simple comment such as "I put you on a flush draw the whole way down" can be disastrous for you later on. The pro will use that information to play a monster the same way he played his drawing hand earlier, only when you call him down he will show you the goods.

Keep table conversation to a minimum and when playing online, comment such as ty, yw, nh, etc. (thank you, your welcome and nice hand respectively) will do just fine. Anything more will be giving away precious information regarding your play and could cost you deeply. If you must talk, talk about the weather. Talk about sports. Talk about anything but how you play. But no matter the subject, be careful what you say. The really good pros, and I suspect this type is rare, will learn something from just about everything you say. They will learn something about the nature of your personality and apply that to your play. So don't give it away. Make them earn it.

Addendum: I feel I must add one more thing to this discussion for completeness. There will be times when you make a play at a pot, or perhaps even make a bad play and get lucky and take down a big pot. Oftentimes this will be followed by the chat box filling up with statements of how you are a huge donkey or how you are the reason that online poker sucks... Don't get sucked into these conversations. They are not worth it and can, at times, frustrate you as much as the one who lost the pot. In addition, when you are on the opposite end of this scenario, don't be the one filling up the chat box with obscenities berating your opponents' play, especially if you play at those stakes often or plan to rebuy at the same table. There are those who will use your poor state of mind to their advantage. Be calm. Simply type "nice hand" into the box and continue as though nothing has happened. Doing so provides two benefits: one, your opponents will notice that the beat didn't seem to bother you and will help solidify your reputation as a solid player who understands that this has to happen in poker. And two, you will play better because of it. Acknowledging that your opponent has indeed one the hand will help you to get past the fact that you did not.

See you on the felt,
The Monster Stack