I Have an Obvious Tell
 

I went to a casino to play live 1-2 NL for the first time yesterday and encountered a pretty serious problem--I don't react well to pressure in a hand. My pulse gets so high that my opponents can see it from across the table.

I have this problem not only when I have a strong hand, but anytime I make a play for the pot, or value bet a strong hand.

Also, one hand where I made an unlikely straight on the river, I actually flinched when the card came (and thus didn't get paid off). This I can fix by watching other players instead as the cards get turned over, so it's the other problem I'm more concerned about.

Knowing that my opponents figured me for big hands when I was doing this, I did go ahead and treat the symptoms rather than the problem by bluffing a lot more.

A player who has shown he can get away from a hand opened UTG+1 for $8, and I call OTB with As9s with the intention of taking the pot away from him since I'm still pretty nervous from a straight flush I had a few hands ago. 2 to the flop Kd7d4c, he bets $10 and I pause 3 seconds and call. Turn is a 8s, he bets $15, I pause 3 seconds and raise to $45, and he insta folds AK face up...

I was able to steal two more pots in similar ways over the next two orbits. Another guy folded top pair face up too. It was nice to turn the weakness into a positive, but it also has the effect of preventing me from being paid off on my big hands. I heard other players at the other end of the table discussing my tells, so I know this isn't all in my head.

What can I do to calm myself down a bit (a lot) at the table? It's partly the money, but more of it is just that I'm too competitive.

FWIW, I am a somewhat experienced limit player and I don't suffer this problem in limit games.

Re: I Have an Obvious Tell
 

This problems will probally go away with time. You said this is your first time playing live, it was probally a big adrenaline rush and you were nervous and unfamiliar with the nuances, ect. The more you play live the more comfortable you'll get with it. Also don't assume that your opponents are 1.) paying as much attention to you as you are to them 2.) that they are interpreting your tells correctly. GL

Re: I Have an Obvious Tell
 

Why not deflect it (when you can) with a "i am weak" tell? I don't know - make a bet with force or blinking a lot. Those which are noticing your pulse will also notice that. It's not a long term solution but I guess you will get over the problem anyway.

Re: I Have an Obvious Tell
 

Most players at 1-2 don't even notice. Just keep playing and practicing and you'll calm down.

Re: I Have an Obvious Tell
 

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Most players at 1-2 don't even notice. Just keep playing and practicing and you'll calm down.

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Well, they are noticing, or I wouldn't be folding out top pair with medium sized raises.

And this is a problem I'd like to correct here before I move on to play any higher.

Re: I Have an Obvious Tell
 

Easy fix, put on an over sized hooded sweat shirt keep the hood up.

Re: I Have an Obvious Tell
 

Where a jacket with the collar up (hi ho biff)...take slow breaths in and out...focus on the breath (ummmmmm). As stated above, it will go away after you play more.

Re: I Have an Obvious Tell
 

As mentioned, you found yourself in an unknown territory and you are a bit more nervous then usual.
This is normal and will change after few sessions, or at least it should.
Nothing but experience will make you feel more comfortable and relaxed when playing.

Re: I Have an Obvious Tell
 

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Also, one hand where I made an unlikely straight on the river, I actually flinched when the card came (and thus didn't get paid off).

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lol sorry this just cracked me up, i just have an image of you in my head

Re: I Have an Obvious Tell
 

Surely if it happens when you have a bad hand and a good ahnd then it isn't really a tell as such.