Brigistul
Visionary
Platinum Level
You’re absolutely right. If you let yourself get pressured at the table, even online, it’s better to step back. Staying aware of each player’s tendencies and position before making a move is crucial. Playing calm and focused is part of the strategy.
Brigistul
Visionary
Platinum Level
You’re completely right. Poker really is a mind sport psychology, discipline, and strategy often matter more than the cards you’re dealt.If you play with integrity and keep your decisions rational, you’ll always have an edge over players who rely only on aggression or pressure.
Brigistul
Visionary
Platinum Level
Some people see poker only as an opportunity to extort money from weaker opponents. I prefer to keep the integrity of the game and play against opponents, not against other people. I also believe that poker, in its healthiest form, is an intellectual duel - not a competition of psychological abuse. bluffing is part of the game, but there is a clear line between strategy and taking advantage of someone just because they are vulnerable or inexperienced. For me, respect at the table matters. You can be competitive without turning the game into a “victim hunt”. Poker becomes truly beautiful when two strong players challenge each other through thought, not toxicity or cheap exploitation.
G
GrannySmit77
Rock Star
Platinum Level
Like in everything else experience matters. So of course professional players try to get information anyway they can about the strength of your hand. That means bluffing, bet sizing, posturing, faking strength, talking to themselves, talking to you. Speech play, in certain situations is an important tool to use. Especially when your stack or your opponent's stack is at risk . No everybody feels comfortable with it- to use it or when their opponent is using it. The thing to remember is- if somebody talks incessantly at you while in the hand and it bothers you, you don't have to put up with it. Just bring noise cancelling headphones and put them on. You can just choose to focus on the game.
bullishwwd
Legend
Loyaler
@chillibear , I totally agree, but can you expound more and as to why? I'd be interested as to why.
bullishwwd
Legend
Loyaler
So it is victimhood mindset for you?
@dompoker , I like to think of it as an "opportunity" when I am confronted with its overuse by an opponent.
GL on the felts mate.
C
chillibear
Rising Star
Bronze Level
I feel like poker is very strategic much like a good game of chess. Although luck in poker is a much greater mitigating factor. First you strategically position your pieces then you go in for the kill. Poker is more like baiting a trap once the combination of the right cards and timing come together.
istbno
Rock Star
Platinum Level
Poker is both, and that’s the beauty and the danger. It’s a mind sport, no doubt—you’re reading ranges, timing tells, betting patterns, and adjusting constantly. But the line blurs fast when psychological tactics cross into what some would call manipulation. Aggressive play, intimidation, exploiting body language—that’s all within the rules, and it’s part of high-level skill. Winning purely off pressure rather than card value? Still skill, if it’s subtle and consistent. Poker rewards any edge, mental or technical. Abuse is when it’s personal, malicious, or breaks etiquette, but pressure and bluffing? Totally legitimate. At the end, poker is a game of information, psychology, and deception, and the best regs master all three without crossing into toxicity.
bullishwwd
Legend
Loyaler
Best explanation that I have ever read about bluffing ... well stated mate
Flyer35
Legend
Platinum Level
Who is going to police it?
Brigistul
Visionary
Platinum Level
This is where the paradox of poker lies: beauty and danger intertwined. It’s a sport of the mind, but also a theater of psychology.Pressure, bluffing, intimidation – all are legitimate weapons, as long as they stay within the boundaries of the game and don’t turn into personal attacks.Winning doesn’t come only from the cards, but from the ability to read people and situations. Whoever masters information, psychology, and deception without slipping into toxicity is playing true poker.”“I enjoy the opinions you’ve shared in this thread, and it’s interesting to see how some people think...”