a. Unfriendly or Intimidating

In public (club or casino) games or in games consisting mostly of professionals or strangers, tough or unfriendly and intimidating behavior may be best. Such behavior disorients opponents … and disoriented players are easier to control. Unfriendly behavior irritates opponents, causing them to act more emotionally and to play poorer poker.

The following unfriendly and intimidating behavior can be advantageously practiced by the good player:

– Silently throw bets and raises into the pot. Give ill- tempered replies when asked about those bets or raises. Make disagreeable remarks when other players err because of your silent bets.

– At the conclusion of a hand, throw cards face-up on the table without comment. Make opponents figure out the hand. Capitalize on their errors that favor you.

– Stage displays of bad temper.

– Delay anteing and making good on lights (money owed to the pot).

– When dealing new games, give inadequate explanations. When asked for further explanation, give details grudgingly and unpleasantly.

– Push rules and ethics to the limit. For example, fake moves to make the next player believe that you have dropped, called, or raised… then when he reveals his move (a drop, bet, or raise), remake your play accordingly.

Planned unfriendly or intimidating behavior can be effective for increasing edge odds and for controlling opponents. Still, the good player uses caution when being unfriendly. He analyzes the game and evaluates the effects of any behavior on both his short- term and long-term profits.

In some games, intimidating behavior is tolerated if a little humor or congenial behavior is blended in. Also, the good player may adopt a split personality or may be unfriendly to certain players and congenial to others … whatever is most advantageous.