Poker News

James McKenna, Ph.D.

Some players have more of the “gift of gab” than others do. However, when you start believing what players say about themselves and their hands at the table, you probably shouldn’t be playing poker. Small talk at the table is a rich source of “tells.” Some players only bad-mouth themselves when they have great hands. Others can play a great game of “stupid.” “Stupid,” when it’s played as a psychological game, has a payoff in which a person makes mistakes and feels depressed and ashamed in the end. However, some players are princes (or princesses) masquerading as frogs. They pretend to be stupid and when least expected, they rip off their disguise and make a brilliant play.

Here are some of the more common poker gab and what they probably mean:

1. “One more time.” This is usually a lie and will be repeated if the “one more time” improves the hand.

2. “I’ll let you have it this time.” This usually means that the player is throwing away garbage.

3. “I’ll call, even though it’s probably a mistake.” Beware of poker players bearing gifts.

4. “I’ll just call.” This could mean that the player thinks his hand is second-best. It could be a sniper hiding in the bushes.

5. “I’m folding this for your sake.” This means that the player finally woke up and realized he was beat.

6. “There’s enough in the pot for the girl I go with.” This is usually said when the player just checked or called. It means that the player thinks he won, but he’s not sure. It also could mean that the player is a bit of a chauvinist something.

7. “Loose call!” It usually is.

8. “It’s better this way.” This is often said by a player who got lucky and outran his opponent. It’s an attempt at humor that could be pouring salt in the wound.

9. “You can’t win.” This is an attempt to get the opponent to fold and usually means that the player is afraid that his hand is second-best. However, if it is said to a friend, it could be a warning that the player has the “nuts.”

10. “I missed a bet.” When a player is surprised that (s)he won, this is a second thought.

11. “Just in case I catch.” Said while calling a bet, this usually means that the player already has made the hand and doesn’t want to scare anyone out.

12. “I haven’t won a hand in over an hour.” May be true or may be a way to pretend weakness.

13. “I’ll pay you off.” This player usually does. Usually said when making a bad call and hoping that the opponent was bluffing.

14. “What ever you do, don’t put up an (Ace, Heart, Spade, etc.)” This is often designed to mislead others to think that they have top pair and are afraid of being beaten by a straight, higher pair, or a flush. Itusually means that the player already has what they are saying they don’t want. Be sure, though, that the player doesn’t want you to think he already has what he’s saying he doesn’t want. After all, you are playing poker.

15. “We’ll probably split.” This could be wishful thinking or a ploy to get one more bet out of an opponent.

There’s a lot to the saying, “The way to tell if a poker player is lying is to watch his (her) lips. If they are moving, he’s lying.” So, if you like to dress up like a loser or you are pretending to be a winner nobody really cares. And, few are buying your act; but, it’s fun to use the gift of gab. It’s also a part of playing poker.

Filed under: Poker News