If I tell you that players who hold cinch winners are unafraid, you’ll say: So what? Everyone in
the world knows that. True. But not everyone knows how players act at the poker table when
they’re unafraid. For one thing, players who are fearless are more apt to engage in natural
conversation. If someone’s holding a royal flush, you can ask him to comment on the politics of
the day and he’ll be able to talk in a relaxed, rational manner. Had he been bluffing, he’d be apt
to either remain silent or force some hazy conversation. What he’d say would be less rational
than usual. Don’t believe me? Try asking players questions after they’ve bet into big pots. The
ones with the dynamite hands will talk freely; the ones with the vulnerable hands will either
remain silent, force their speech or talk gibberish,
What else can I tell you about fearless players who are holding winning hands? Well, it turns out
that they sometimes smile broadly. Hey, you’ve hung around this world for a number of years.
You know as well as I do how to tell the difference between a forced smile and a broad genuine
smile. When you see a genuine smile, figure the player is happy about his hand. When you see a
player force a smile after betting, there’s a good chance he’s bluffing.
Similarly, any player who has a giggling fit is almost certainly not bluffing (except in a very
small game where his fate doesn’t matter to him). A genuine giggle is hard to fake. Also, players
have no motive to fake a giggle because, strangely enough, giggles don’t make their opponents
pass; giggles bring attention and make opponents suspicious.
Remember what we talked about in Section IV on Nervousness. People who bet and continue to
move about impatiently are apt to have big hands. Players who are bluffing don’t want to do
anything that might trigger your call. Many bluffers feel instinctively that they must remain
almost unmoving for fear of giving their hand away and getting called. That’s why when you see
a very animated player who has bet, you should figure he has a good hand. There is an
exception: Some players will use motions and comments specifically designed to make you
throw your hand away. When players act like they hold big hands, they deserve your call
because they’re usually weak. But when they’re just being themselves, making movements and
not trying to restrain themselves, it’s unlikely that they’re bluffing or even worried.
There is one peculiar habit displayed by some players who are unafraid. These are usually
friendly players who after betting may make some gruff remark. Maybe you came right out and
asked if he was bluffing and he replied, “Just play the game.” You thought this kind of
unfriendly remark was out of character for him. What should you do? Probably pass. Players
who are bluffing are generally afraid to engage in hostilities. They don’t want to make you call
out of anger. Ask a bluffer if he’s bluffing and you’re more apt to hear him chirp something like, “Let me check and see,” coupled with a forced smile, or simply “Yes,” said in a deliberately unconvincing manner.

No related posts.