Dealing with Poker Emotions Online
Poker is a wit, skill, and luck card game, yet it cannot be denied that a major part of it is feigning skill and the ability to read through other's pretensions. How is this done online?
How do we bluff online? Poker online is played with clicks with the mouse, presses on keys, pushes on buttons, and chats with people we only read about. All we know of other players is what we see them click online and what they say during chats, if chats are opted for. We get information about them from what they divulge online, if we're willing to take their word for it.
Imagine poker without bluffing. We might as well play bingo or roulette, at best. But the main adrenalin kicker in poker, aside from betting, is the bluffing part. In fact, even betting becomes more meaningful with a play on poker emotions. And there are ways on doing this online.
In fact, most online poker sites allow the full play of emotional tactics. Most casinos check on vulgar disturbances of opponent's emotions and focus, especially derogatory remarks. It is even awkward to chat, even a little, with co-players. But online poker? The sky is the limit.
Well, some sites make us swear not to be impolite before we're allowed to enter poker rooms, and some have software for guarding against vulgar words provoking poker emotions online, but many bad mouths still manage to squeeze in and pour invectives on every room corner. The best thing to do is know how to play or handle poker emotions.
First thing is, understand that rudeness aims to get a player fazed or disturbed. It's not really so much intimidation as it is distraction. So don't take anything personally. If we fall for those cheap tactics and retaliate tooth for tooth, or call or bet carelessly we lose.
Forget about chatting. Feigning may be done through calculated betting or calling, or other regular poker moves. Get rid of chatting and we never get to be bothered or disturbed by those ubiquitous "nice hand" stuffs they often feign with online. Obvious as that bluff is, many still fall for it. Count on it---most "nice hands" are weak hands. Or, if one still prefers chatting, use only smileys and emoticons online. They're easy and fast to use.
In online poker, don't believe anything anybody says. They're after our money. Focus on winning. Poker isn't just a game of defending one's poker emotions online.