I’ve been thinking recently about a player’s attitude at the poker table. Obviously some styles work better for some than others and each person displays their own attitude. I say “display” because a lot of people might be putting on this attitude simply for the poker table; just another bluff if you will. But does any one particular attitude work better than others?

Watching some of the professional poker players on TV is where you can really see a wide range of attitudes. They range from Phil Hellmuth and Mike Matusow to Howard Lederer and Phil Ivey. One that comes in the middle is Daniel Negreanu. An extreme one is Phil Laak. By the way, what’s up with the name Phil and poker players? I’m screwed with the name Nick!

I prefer to watch Lederer, Ivey, and especially Negreanu play poker. I think it’s because of their cool confidence and ability to walk away from the table. Hellmuth and Matusow need to make a scene when they walk away. While it’s good for TV, I don’t like it. Every gets beat, but these guys act like they are the only ones who do. I particularly like watching Negreanu play because of how he talks himself through a hand and doesn’t mind that everyone is listening to him. It’s cool to see the thought process Daniel goes through to call, raise, or fold a hand.

More than anything, I think your attitude at the table should be an extension of your self, it shouldn’t be an act. We’re all more comfortable when we aren’t putting on an act and feeling comfortable at a poker table is very important. If I had to choose which attitude I’d like to display at the table, it would have to be Negreanu’s. He gets so much more involved in the game than the others I watch and I think it really helps his play. When you hear him discussing the hand with himself you can see that he’s on top of his game.

I’m pretty quiet and laidback at the table (the few times I’ve played), but I’ll tend to discuss other people’s bad plays with those sitting next to me if they do the same. I realize this is bad for my image and will have to work on it the next time I’m in a game.

Which players do you prefer?