Does trash talk actually give you a mental edge at the poker table?

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philipabb

philipabb

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Some players seem to use trash talk to get under their opponents' skin and make them play differently.

But I've also wondered if it can have the opposite effect. Instead of tilting someone, you might just motivate them to focus more and play back at you.

Do you think trash talk can genuinely give a player a mental advantage, or does it usually end up giving the opponent extra motivation?
 
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This one is really going to depend on who the target of the trash talking is.
 
puzzlefish said:
This one is really going to depend on who the target of the trash talking is.
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I agree, it depends on the person. Some players get frustrated and start making emotional decisions, while others become more focused and use it as motivation to play better. I think the real advantage comes from knowing which type of opponent you're dealing with. If you react emotionally yourself, you can also end up giving your opponent exactly what they want.
 
philipabb said:
Alguns jogadores parecem usar provocações verbais para desestabilizar seus oponentes e fazê-los jogar de maneira diferente.

Mas também me pergunto se isso pode ter o efeito oposto. Em vez de irritar alguém, você pode acabar motivando essa pessoa a se concentrar mais e a jogar de volta para você.

Você acha que as provocações verbais podem realmente dar uma vantagem mental ao jogador, ou geralmente acabam motivando ainda mais o adversário?
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I keep sending stickers to the tables online, some get irritated and sometimes make mistakes, others just don't care, others start to provoke back. So I think it's valid, even if it doesn't work. lol
 
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From my experience, trash talkers are cowards.

The moment you talk back, they play the victim card and call the floor or the mods to get you banned.

1000025783
 
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When a player is calm and aware of what to do, provocations don't affect him in the least.
 
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I think trash talk can sometimes get under an opponent’s skin, but staying calm and making good decisions is a much bigger edge. If someone starts talking too much, I just let my play do the talking.
 
Personally like many I go to the casino too have fun, enjoy myself and I personally want everyone at my table to have a good time and enjoy them shelves. After all I want all them fish to come back.....if they don't enjoy them shelves and have fun they are unlikely to comeback with more money or rebuy when they bust. So it's in my best interest that they have fun and a good time.

So personally all talking trash does at my table is put a huge bullseye on your back and unlike the avg joe I'm not going sit quietly, listen or take it. I'm not mentally weak and I have no issue stepping in and defending another player at my table. Someone talking trash only turns me back into the old me(no one really ever liked the old me), makes me play better, more focused and with a huge desire too get rid of the trash talker from the table. The few trash talkers we have at my local casino all now ask for a table change or if there isn't table at them stakes simply pack up and leave when they see me sit down 🤣. Guess they don't like the old me either.

Cheers!!!
 
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It depends, but it usually backfires. Against angry or weak players, it can make them play badly. But against good players, it just makes them focus harder and try to beat you. Plus, talking too much makes it easy to accidentally give away clues about your own cards. Most of the time, staying completely silent is the real mental edge.
 
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