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If the Poker World is Your Stage, Sunglasses are Your Prop
" Sunglasses look cool but the real benefit of wearing them is what happens on the inside when you put them on.
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" Play like a shark in BigFish River Rims.
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By , Certified Poker Hypnotherapist
Thursday, December 7, 2006
The true benefit of wearing shades at the table, other than looking cool, is the freedom it gives you. You have the ability to transform yourself from mild mannered Clark Kent to Super Wo/Man without the red cape. Forget about hiding tells – that may be a positive byproduct of the ritual. The real benefit is the internal changes that occur when you put them on.
Why do online players talk trash they would never talk face to face? It’s the anonymity. They can say whatever they want to and no one will know who they are. They become someone else. The same thing happens as you put on sunglasses. You have the ability to hide your true identity and create a persona of someone different. They are part of your costume. You design that new person when you decide what table image you want to portray. Yes, you decide.
Everyone has their own mental picture of what a professional poker player should look and act like. If you manifest that image on the outside it’s only natural to transfer that mental and emotional strength to the inside. Actors do this every day. They get into the mind of their character so they will be more believable to the audience. The more they practice feeling and reacting in a certain way the easier it becomes. Who or what do you want people to see when you sit down to play across the table?
I was shocked the first time I wore my new River Rims by BigFish Poker Products at a tournament. I’m always fairly quiet when I play because it helps me stay more focused. After a very brief conversation with the guy next to me he surprised me by asking if I was a professional poker player. “No …… I wish”. His next question surprised me even more. He asked me if I was a doctor. “No…. are you feeling ok”? It took me a few minutes to understand where he was coming from. It was my persona, table image, whatever you want to call it. I had intimidation value. You can guess what that validation did to my confidence level. I actually cashed at that tournament.
I initially wore sunglasses as a reaction to my playing style. I’ve been known to roll my eyes when I get frustrated with another player at the table or miss my flop. Now that I know they create a persona, I feel I’m being more proactive in my approach to the game. When I sit down at the table and know I portray strength, I become stronger. The belief barrier has been broken.
90 percent of all people are visual learners. For instance, at the flop it’s natural for your eyes to give more attention to the card that strengthens your hand. It takes a conscious effort to avoid doing that. A good player knows that and follows the path of your eyes. Sunglasses can also prevent that.
Do your own test at your next home game. Spread out the flop, turn, and river further than normal and watch everyone at the table. You’ll be surprised how revealing it is.
The more you wear shades the more diverse reactions you’ll notice. Any negatives are actually positives. It’s a signal you have entered your opponent’s psyche. Be aware of the possible backlash. Someone may call your raise just because they decided they don’t like you. What’s really going on is their mental image of a poker player and your physical appearance do not match. The two of you are absolutely not in subconscious rapport. People like reflections of themselves. They unconsciously feel a little off kilter when you don’t fit into their box. That’s why it’s crucial to know your opponent.
Don’t gain confidence and give up function. If you wear sunglasses make sure you can see out of them. Sunglasses are a tool to help you go beyond poker strategy, gain confidence, and master the mind game.
Michele Burghardt is a Certified Poker Hypnotherapist with CatchTheRiver.com
Copyright Catch The River LLC 2006
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