Where there is competition, there will be trash talking. These two things go hand in hand.
Trash talk happens in the heat of competition, in moments where a player wants to get in another player’s head either by making an unsavory remark towards them or their team or even making cocky remarks about themselves.
All this is done in order to get in their opponents head, ruffle their feathers and make them slip up. With the nature of poker and the qualities needed to be good at the game, trash talking can be an effective strategy at the poker tables and at a poker tournament.
Is trash talking at the poker table a good strategy?
It does, to put it simply. And it all depends on your timing. When you trash talk your opponents, you are trying to make them slip up and sometimes they can’t take it. Even when they look like it does not phase them physically, trash talk is definitely effective.
It is a good strategy, but at the same time talking trash at the poker table does not work every time.
A professional poker player at the poker table just has tough skin and they are able to just ignore what you have to say.
Experienced poker players are less likely to be frightened since they’ve “been there, done that,” and they learnt their lessons early on.
If and when they lose a game with a trash talker, it’s not because of lousy cards.
Finally, most experts advise caution when using this as a poker strategy during a live poker game.
At best, you’ll clear out the “weak” players, but you’ll wind up playing with those who aren’t bothered by your antics and may be willing to make you lose your stack and eat your cards just to silence you.
Alternatively, when you talk trash at the tables, there is every chance that you lose concentration and get burned yourself, especially when you find out that you are not getting through to the poker pros you are going up against.
When to talk trash at the while playing poker
Following a bad beat
Nobody at the table will blame you if you let fly a spontaneous torrent of not-so-nice remarks targeted at no one after a poor beat. If you wish, direct part of your rage onto the other males at the table. Again, they’ll understand, and it’ll be worth it if it helps you feel better.
Tilting a weak opponent
Talking trash to a player who just lost another hand is one example of this. The idea is simple: get under their skin and drive them to make more stupid decisions. Take it easy in this region, since you’re bound to create some enemies, especially if your strategy is effective.
Talk trash to bullies
Nobody cares if you beat up on a large stack-holding bully. The purpose of this type is to encourage the bully to call when you have a good hand – basically, when you talk trash, you will push the bad person into following you when you have a nice hand to prove you wrong.
Top Poker game trash talkers
We’ve gotten to know quite a few of the top poker trash talkers since the game’s popularity grew enough to warrant live coverage of some of the major events.
Mike Matusow
Mike “The Mouth” Matusow began playing poker while working as a dealer in Las Vegas, although he first became interested in the game when playing video poker at the Maxim Casino (now the Westin Las Vegas).
In addition to winning four WSOP bracelets, Matusow has hosted and been a spokesman for various poker-related radio and television shows, including Card Player’s poker radio show/podcast, the Circuit. He also presented “The Mouthpiece,” Card Player’s long-running internet video show.
Phil Hellmuth
Phil Hellmuth, one of the greatest players of all time, is also one of the greatest trash talkers of all time and his legendary quotes will feature heavily on this list.
Tony G
Tony G is another man famous for his trash talking. Also known as Antanas Guoga has a reputation for being a bit of a jerk, despite being named after the patron saint of the impoverished.
Yet, if you observe Tony g at the table, you will notice the soundness of his approach. He truly gets inside other players’ heads and compels them to make bad decisions. It just needs to function once in a blue moon for it to be a useful tool, and he’s an expert at it.
Top Quotes to use when you play poker
“If there weren’t luck involved, I would win every time.”- Phil Hellmuth.
“Of course I lied. It’s poker.”- Tony G
“This guy probably can’t even spell poker.” – Phil Hellmuth
“I played so perfect, I couldn’t play more perfect.” – Phil Hellmuth
“My favorite chip trick is to make everyone’s chip stack disappear.”- Amarillo Slim
“Show me your eyes and you may as well show me your cards.” – Doyle Brunson
“When the cards are dealt, I just want to destroy people” – Stu Ugnar
“I never go looking for a sucker. I look for a Champion and make a sucker of of him.”- Amarillo Slim
“There’s no one that ever beat me playing cards, the only one that ever beat me was myself” – Stu Ungar
“What’s true of the poker game is true of life. Most people are suckers and don’t realize it.” – Michael Faust
“I never saw a poker player’s money that I did not like.” ~ Oklahoma Johnny Hale
“Don’t get mad that you lost, get mad because you didn’t win.” Michael Gersitz
“The beautiful thing about poker is that everybody thinks they can play.” – Chris Moneymaker
“Poker is a lot like sex. Everyone thinks they are the best, but most don’t have a clue what they are doing.” – Dutch Boyd
“The kiddie game is down the street!” – Mike “The Mouth” Matusow
“Even a dog finds a steak in the trash every now and then.” – Unknown
