definition?

[TheChad]

Can anyone clearly and concisely define the term 'metagame'? I can only give vague examples. I also dug for the term in the lingo/stickies/etc and couldn't find it.

[Small Fry]

Metagame refers to the effects of how you play a specific hand or a few specific hands influences the decisions and perceptions of others for future hands.

Example: you just sit down and play the first 3 hands calling all the way to the river, maybe even throwing in a raise. Immediate perception is that your looose, passive and clueless. Down the road when you've tightened up, become aggressive and you do really have a clue you'll manage to get paid off on some big hands due to the initial perception.