His reason had nothing to do with money or ethics. "I don't have a poker face," he explained. He added he tends to let his expressions and feelings come forward - so if he's dealt pocket Aces, the rest of the table probably would know in an instant.
The "poker face" has become such a common cliché that Lady Gaga made a hit song with that title (albeit with questionable lyrics). We think some people who have trouble maintaining one in club games try to make up for it with big talk - boasting about winning hands they might or might not have.
Believe it or not, there are times in the Bible where people are told to have a "poker face" of sorts. One case occurred when a leader lost two sons due to their disobedience....
Then Moses said to Aaron and his sons Eleazar and Ithamar, "Do not let your hair become unkempt, and do not tear your clothes, or you will die and the Lord will angry with the whole community..." - Leviticus 10:6
No obvious signs of grief were allowed, because the fire that killed the other sons had come from God (verses 1-2). The victims simply received what they deserved. Perhaps that carries over to some ministers today. To be honest, we've seen modern TV preachers with "poker faces" so grim that it's hard to believe they consider the gospel "good news".
So how do you develop and keep a good poker face? One idea we have is to think about the worst thing that could possibly happen, such as the Bible scene above. Or if you see two Aces on the flop and you have pocket Aces, pretend someone else is on a royal flush draw.
But when the hand is over and a pot is won, it's OK to show some emotion. That's true with any blessing God gives, too:
The Lord is my strength and my shield.... My heart leaps for joy, and I will give thanks to him in song. - Psalm 28:7
A good "poker face" indeed takes some practice, but it can help make you a good poker player. We've offered our suggestion for developing one. If you have a better one, please leave a comment.
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