January 2009
11 Alternative Garden Games
Tired of the same ol’, same ol’ when it come to entertaining your garden party guests? Weary of boring badminton and jarts? Croquet not your style? Then you’re in the right spot! Here are games sure to make your next party the hit of the gardening social season!
Icebreakers
Game #1: The Gnat Slap
Equipment required: A garden of any size.
As your guests arrive, invite them for the obligatory ’stroll through the garden’. Tell them they are welcome to slap the gnats but only those gnats annoying another guest; never are they permitted to slap gnats hovering around their own eyes, nose, ears or mouth. The winner is the last guest standing. A great icebreaker!
Game #2: The 3-Legged Butterfly Chase
Equipment required: Rope or wire to bind legs.
This is lots of fun. Tightly bind two guests’ legs together to make a three-legged contestant. Then tell them you’ll unbind them only after they’ve captured a butterfly.
Tip: For a longer lasting game, declare the quarry to be a hummingbird.
Game #3: Competitive Weed Pulling
Equipment required: Weeds of any kind.
This is a great game to reward the hard working guest. Entrants don’t eat until the entire garden is cleaned of weeds. Winner: The person with the most weeds eats first and most, and so on down the line. This game teaches the rewards of the Puritan work ethic.
Game #4: The Wasp Dodge
Equipment required: More wire for binding, an in-ground wasp nest or two (Yellow Jackets are the best!), a small amount of kerosene.
With hands tightly wired behind their backs, have your players stand in a circle around a wasp nest entrance. Irritate the wasps by sprinkling a little kerosene over the hole and oh, boy! Stand back! Entrants are judged on style, grace, self-defensive acrobatic movements and number of stings.
Games to Play While the Frozen Turkey Cooks on the Charcoal Grill
Game #5: Watch the Lawn Go Dormant
Equipment required: A dry turf.
This is for those guests that had a poor showing in the other games. The winner is the person still awake when the lawn is actually declared dormant.
Game #6: Bobbing for Aquatic Insects
Equipment required: A stagnant water source such as a neglected pool, pond or bucket. Kids love this one!
The winner is whoever come up with the largest water strider. Incentive for the competitively spirited: Anyone bobbing to the bottom retrieving the hapless mouse that slipped in about a month ago qualifies for the National Bobb-Off!
Game #7: Slug Races
Equipment required: A slug for each guest.
We suggest two events: The 4″ sprint and the 2-foot marathon. Guests may mark their slugs in any way they wish.
Tip 1: Use an air-horn to signify the start of the races. Slugs are hard of hearing.
Tip 2: Entrants in the “Watch the Lawn Go Dormant” game can play this game simultaneously.
Game #8: Hornet’s Nest Pinata
Equipment required: 1 large hornet’s nest, a stick long enough to reach the nest, a blindfold.
This game really livens things up after the slower pace of the slug races and helps work off dinner.
Game #9: Blindfolded Lawn Mowing
Equipment required: A power mower and the blindfold from the Hornet’s Nest Pinata game if it isn’t too bloody.
Everyone loves this sport! One by one guests are blindfolded and told to mow the grass. The winner is the contestant who runs over the fewest trees, shrubs, flowers, pets and other guests. Lotsa laughs!
Time Saving tip: Dial 911 before the game begins.
Games for After Dark
Game #10: Firefly Shooting
Equipment required: A BB gun for everyone.
After a fun day of activities and food, gather everyone in the center of the garden in a large circle to try their hand at nailing a few fireflies. The winner, and don’t expect one, is anyone who actually knocks a lightening bug out of the sky.
Time Saving tip: Dial 911 before the game begins.
Game #11: Feed the Mosquitos
Equipment required: Go figure.
Play this last game while lingering over “good-byes” in the garden.
When Tom Schneider isn’t trying to find new guests to invite to his garden parties, he and his wife Deb are busy with their on-line machine embroidery design business, WindstarEmbroidery.com
ELEVEN THINGS TO DO ON A BORING DAY
Copyright The Quipping Queen 2005.
ELEVEN THINGS TO DO ON A BORING DAY
Or, how to put a little zip, zap and zuggers back into your life
By: Theolonius McTavish, a recovering “to-do-list” and clock-watching sort-of-person with a freezer full of vintage TV-dinners, ten pounds of low-carb Popsicles, 34 flavors of pop-tarts not to mention enough microwave-friendly pepperoni and pineapple pizzas to feed a platoon of pool sharks
“Boredom numbs the work world,” read the headline in an obscure academic journal called “The Rock Paper Scissors Review”, (published by a well-meaning, eminently-respected editor and redundant researcher from the “Centre for Addlepated Adult Development” in Goobies, Newfoundland).
Of the approximately 50,000 globally-based cubicle dwellers, nose-to-the-grindstone grunts and sky-is-falling supervisors surveyd by Dr. Bodikin Scrabster, most had to admit they didn’t truly “love” their Joe-jobs, did not genuinely “adore” their ‘we’re-all-in-this-boat-together exhilerating team-building experience’, nor did they jump for joy every morning at the prospect of returning to the widget work they did everyday.
So, rather than cry over spilt milk, cry in your beer or cry at the moon as many hum-drum souls do …here are eleven things you blessed sods can do to put a little zip, zap and zuggers back into your higgledy-piggledy, hugger-mugger life (on the catatonic corporate treadmill).
1. CREATIVE CATNAPPING: Write a classified ad for a professional one-eyed, one-horned, flying-purple people eater in your organization, (keeping in mind the mandate, responsibilities, and performance objectives required to keep the powers that be happy)!
2. FRUGAL FASHION FUN: Visit a consignment goods store or a flea market to look for the makings of your affordable, hand-me-down Halloween costume this year. (Remember, no more than $10.00 on this outlandish outfit…so, what is it?)
3. FUNNY-BONE EXERCISE: Using a large magnifying glass, please peer into your local telephone directory and spot as many funny named individuals, businesses and organizations as you can find. (Winners will receive their personalized sceptre and crown at the next Prince or Princess Jellybean inauguration ceremony).
4. MERRYMAKING MOVIE MOGUL: You have just been awarded the GOLDEN-FOREFINGER for the funniest movie of the year, (hint: it’s the one you wrote, produced and starred in), so what’s the title, what’s it all about, who plays alongside you, and what’s the opening line?)
5. INVENT A NEW FUNNY FAST-FOOD PRODUCT: Your task is to come up with a new affordable, easy-to-make, and unique fast food that will have everyone rolling in the aisles including your family members, work mates, (oh…and even your pesky pooch will love it!)
6. TERRIBLE TIE or T-SHIRT DESIGN: Your challenge is to create a new tie or t-shirt that will win the best prize for poor taste, eccentric design, or just plain weird manufacturing (…your task is to come up with the images and/or words that fit the bill)!
7. GRAFFITI APPRECIATION: You must photograph or verify with eye-witnesses that you’ve found at least 50 anonymous greetings or messages lying somewhere about on walls in your community. (And be prepared to submit one message explaining why you’re recommending it for an award).
8. FUNKY TEAM-BUILDING & FRIENDLY CHALLENGES: Your task is to organize three special events: a wheelbarrow race, a three-legged race, and a sack race in your workplace or neighborhood. (You must recruit the participants, judges, not to mention arrange sponsors for prizes, and conduct the awards ceremony - So, what are you waiting for …Get out and do it!)
9. ZUGGERS! Your task is to conduct an impromptu survey among family members, friends, or utter strangers to find out their definition of “zuggers”. (Be prepared to present a short summary of your findings before your peers and let them in on what the heck “zuggers” are and why they’re important in life!)
10. HOST A TACKY TOUR OF YOUR CITY: A long-lost relative is coming to town tomorrow, and you’ve been asked to become a “Tacky Tour Guide” for the day. Prepare a list of 10 places (and accompanying description of outstanding features to be encountered), so your relative will never forget the visit to your wacky end of the world).
11. CHOOSE THE WORST SONGS EVER WRITTEN: Your high-school grad class president, (whose name you can’t remember or worse yet …disliked intensely), has asked you to prepare a list of 10 of the best songs written (according to you of course). You’re going to turn the tables and give him a list of the Top 10 Worst Songs Written and you’re going to perform three of them. (Prepare the list, identify what instrument you will play if any to accompany your three choices, and practice …a candid camera awaits you!)
And when you’ve done all that — give yourself a pat yourself on the back — because you’ve earned it!
Nothing like tooting your own horn and taking credit for spending the entire day banishing the blues and boredom from your life! (NOTE: Please make your own frigging first prize red ribbon, you’ve got ten fingers and a blinking brain haven’t you!!!)
About the Author
Theolonius McTavish prides himself on being able to wiggle his ears, nose and pinky finger all at the same time (which entitles him to an honorable mention and potty place in the Court of the Quipping Queen)
Acquire Valentines Day Underwear for Him
That time of love is approaching; if you would very much like to to lively up your partners Valentines Day; can you think-up a more effective tactic than purchasing some raunchy new knickers from BeCheeky? Whether you are a male looking for a magnificent present for his fiance or lady friend or you are a woman surveying the market place to gratify her lover; you will get the decidedly best in exotic under wear at the BeCheeky web site.
There is certainly no need to concern yourself if you are not really the most imaginative person - the BeCheeky site is unusually simplistic to navigate, and their good quality quality photographs are certain to bestow you with a scattering of ideas.
BeCheeky display bra and knickers to suit any styles and budgetary concerns - fabulous goodies for ladies, such as bras, knickers & hot hosiery from just £12. BeCheeky furthermore offer men’s under-wear direct from £12 - hence there is no feasible reason for not spoiling your partner this Valentines Day. The hottest suspender belts Can be found at BeCheeky. at great prices from designers such as Sista Shei, Panache, Mademoiselle, Playful Promises and Bjem Bride.
You may of course take the hassle out of goodie giving with Be Cheeky - they will deliver just about everything ranging from bras and panties to suspender belts and tankinis, all wonderfully gift & and all set to mesmerise your significant other. They furthermore remove the trouble out of selecting & matching for you by displaying lovely matching lingerie packs.
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It is not just lingerie, pants and swim wear on display from BeCheeky - they of course have a large range of erotic gifts such as; massage kits, candles, lotions and body souffle; providing you even more ways to pamper your partner during this romantic time of the year.
Worried about securing that special Valentines Day lingerie for the main day? Fret not - order before twelve noon on February 13th & they guarantee you will get your partners gifts on time.
Securicor Crash Costs Them £32,000
We have all seen those tank-like security trucks picking up cash from banks and petrol stations. They are built to be heavy and impregnable to keep out shotgun wielding robbers.
The insides of these trucks are also kept bare and highly functional in order to allow ease of access for security personnel.
Unfortunately they also offer little protection should the vehicle be involved in a regular road accident. That is what 32-year-old Vishaul Gopaul discovered while working for Securicor.
He was going about his duties collecting money when the van he was travelling in was involved in a serious crash after the driver lost control of the armoured vehicle. As a result Mr. Gopaul sustained considerable injury to his back and shoulders.
The vehicle rolled over flinging Mr. Gopaul against the sparse interior causing him considerable injury. As a result he was unable to lift any heavy weights which included the large amounts of cash you would normally carry as part of his working day.
As a result Securicor dismissed him from employment due to his inability to conduct his duties.
Mr Gopaul decided he was unhappy with the situation and took Securicor to court where he was awarded £32,000 compensation for his injuries.
Make sure that your staff are fully aware of all safety procedures by opting for employee and management training such as IOSH Managing Safely which are offered by the experts at Workplace Law Training.
Accommodation Reductions Can Be Had because of the Financial Crisis
With the pound fetching only slightly more than a Euro at exchanges, one would suppose that there would be a few great ski deals to be had in skiing resorts this ski season as skiers remain back home to avoid the financial crisis. Initial figures merely released show that skiing areas are 89 % full over the Xmas time period. 12 % up on the self same period last year.
You will have some chance in January that presently shows a 37 39 percent reserve rate. The only signs of a downturn is across the important February holiday month which has 62 percent bookings, 1 percent down on last year. Reservation desks in the ski resorts of Montroc, Le Grand-Bornand, Grand Massif and Courchevel have observed strong inquiries during Dec encouraged by the brilliant early season snows. Alpe d Huez has better inquiries compared to Chamonix, and Chatel had a superb Xmas.
But there is heavy call for bigger ski chalets, 5 to 10 spaces, as skiers group up to save the pennies. Evidence shows that do it yourself ski breaks are doing well, perhaps pointing to the fact that earnest skiers are not going to give up their skiing holiday. However inquiries from package ski holidays are down on last year.
How to beat the casinos with their own money - literally!
No - you didn’t read the headline incorrectly. With a little patience and discipline you can take advantage of an on-line casino’s generosity and beat them, quite literally, with their own money.
There are hundreds of casinos plying their trade on-line. It’s pretty much a standard feature of every one that they offer new customers a monetary incentive to open an account with them.
These monetary incentives are generally either a:
fixed amount of money - for example $100
match bonus - the casino matches the amount of your initial deposit
percentage amount - they’ll add a percentage amount on top of your initial deposit
Some of the new account incentive offers are very good indeed. Obviously, the casino is adding the money to new account holders not only to attract new business, but they know that the average player will gamble it all away on the tables and keep coming back for more losing much more that the incentive they’ve given the new player.
Sound business sense from the casino - right?
Not necessarily - the clever casino player can turn the tables and the odds in his (or her) favour by playing “perfect blackjack.”
The bonus incentives come with strings attached - the casinos are not silly enough to allow you to withdraw your bonus money straight away - you have to play it through a few times first so you might lose it!
Each casino has its own terms though a typical example is that they may require you to wager the bonus amount say 20 times. So if they’ve given you $100 as a new account bonus you would have to place wagers to the cumulative value of $2000.
By playing “perfect blackjack” you really can walk off with your initial stake intact and a sum on top courtesy of the money the casino have given you.
The house edge (percentage the casino might expect to win) from blackjack variable depending on conditions but generally in the region of 5%. In other words the casino expects to win $5 for every $100 a player bets.
However - by applying basic blackjack strategy (”perfect blackjack”) you can reduce the house edge to 1% or even less.
Now - back to the $100 new account bonus and $2000 wagering requirement example above. You’ve deposited $100 and got your free $100 making $200 in your account. Under the terms of the bonus incentive, you have to wager $2000.
By utilising basic strategy you reduce the house edge to 1% - thus on average you expect to lose 1% over the course of meeting the wagering requirements (2000 hands assuming flat betting $1 per hand). Each hand you play counts towards the wagering requirement.
1% of $2000 is just $20 - you can cash out with £180 left in your account. You’ve still got your initial $100 and you’ve taken an extra $80 from the casino literally out of their own pocket. Repeat the process at other casinos and you can rack up a tidy amount of money.
Some casinos even give monthly bonus incentives so you have the opportunity to take their money from the every month!
You won’t win every time - sometimes you’ll bust out and lose, other times you might win more than the above example. But by playing blackjack with the application of basic strategy it is entirely possible to literally beat the casino with their own money.
I personally use this technique and make money doing so. It’s possible that you can do the same - but if you give it a try, please never, never gamble with money you cannot afford to lose.
Good luck at the tables!
When to QUIT
When to quit
Before you decide if you are going to play in online casinos or going to a casino, there’s something you need to think about if you want to be successful. MONEY, if you don’t know how much money you are willing to spend you might win but you might end up losing more than what you should. Make sure you decide how much money you want to play and stick with that, avoid going to an ATM or to try to use more money to recoup your losses.
After you have in mind how much money you are going to spend then you need to divide that amount of money with the days you are planning to play. Don’t use more money that you planned per day. Having that in mind then you should go and play. If you need some tips about slot machine you can go to on line casinos articles and find some articles.
WHEN TO QUIT?
That’s a good question. If you don’t know when to quit you are going to end up losing money. You need to know that you should never quit while you are winning.
First, you need to know what it’s your betting limit, the next step is to read the playing rules for each games.
NEVER QUIT WHILE YOU ARE WINNING, QUIT WHILE YOU ARE AHEAD.
Never try to recoup losses by increasing your bet size.
Quit when you reach your loss limit
Quit when you are not happy with the dealers
Don’t play with money that you can’t afford to loose.
Don’t try to chase your losses.
When you drink too much
If you can’t have a money discipline, you should try to find some help and QUIT playing.
The Slot Machine
The very first slot machine (called ‘Liberty Bell’) was created by a man called Charles Fay from his workshop in San Francisco in 1887. Slightly smaller than today’s average slot machines, Liberty Bell contained 3 reels and 20 symbols and operated pretty much in the same way as today’s slot machines. Within a relatively short period of time, Fay’s creation became so popular and successful that he began to work overtime in his workshop to meet the demand for his slot machines. Capitalizing on their success, Fay rented the machines to gambling establishments at a 50% commission rate, refusing to sell the manufacturing and distribution rights of his slot machines to gambling manufacturers.
In 1907, Herbert Mills, a Chicago manufacturer created ‘Operator Bell’, a slot machine similar to ‘Liberty Bell’ in design. Produced and distributed at a greater rate than Fay’s ‘Liberty Bell’, the ‘Operator Bell’ slot machines experienced even greater success and by 1910, slot machines were very common in the United States of America. As soon as slot machines had reached a new peak in popularity and became common throughout the USA, new laws were introduced and passed to ban slot machines. In spite of this, slot machines continued to be popular throught America during the 1920s and 1930s. During the late 1940’s, Bugsy, a well known gangster, added slot machines to his Flamingo Hilton hotel in Las Vegas where the profit from slot machines eventually exceeded that of table games.
The objective of the slot machine is to try and spin a winning combination of symbols on the payline.
There are basically two types of slots.
Straight Slots: A Straight slots jackpot will remain at a set amount of money until it is won, after which it resets and starts over again at that same amount. For example, a straight jackpot may be set at $20,000 and will remain at $20,000 until it is won, no matter how many coins are deposited into the slot machine.
Progressive Slots: On the other hand, the amount of money that may be won playing progressive slots is determined by the amount of money deposited into the machine. Thus the progressive jackpot continuosly increases with each player until it is won.
To play straight or progressive slots, the player deposits a coin or set of coins into the slot machine and selects the number of coins to bet per spin. The player may then either press the ‘Spin’ button or pull the arm of the slot machine to spin the reels. Once the reels stop spinning, the player will either win or lose that spin. Whether the player wins or loses, he may ‘Cash Out’ his share of money from the machine or continue to play.
Today, slot machines are amongst the most popular games found in casinos, accounting for over 30% of casino profit. This is due to a number of reasons.
(1) Slot machines are very easy to play and require no real test of skill or knowledge. A player simply deposits coins into the machine and presses a button. Once the reels stop spinning, the machine will alert the player if the winning combination is struck or not.
(2) There is no pressure to play against or interact with other players as one may do in games such as Roulette, Blackjack, Baccarat and Poker.
(3) There is no risk of someone trying to cheat during the game or of the dealer making an honest mistake during a bet.
(4) There is no time frame for one to make the next move. A slot machine may be played at one’s own pace without the player feeling the need to hurry because someone else is waiting for his/her turn.
(5) The game is played with real money and not casino chips. This makes the game much more exciting in the sense that the player has the opportunity to gamble with real currency.
(6) The payout is instant and can sometimes run into the thousands of dollars, especially if one is playing progressive slots.
For these set of reasons, the slot machine is currently one of the most popular games found in a casino.
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E mom dot com
E Mom dot Com A short story by Ravindra Torane
This is a story of a boy named Anko. He liveed in Mumbai, a metro city in India. Anko was 12 year old . He never studied well, he was computer crazy. All the time he sticked to the computer,either playing computer games or serfing on net. He never played any real ground game with his friends either. One day he was serfing on the net going from one site toanother. His mom was helplessly watching his aimless wandering on the info high way. The info highway was full of temptations. There were malls selling everything real and virtual. There were some chat rooms where gangs of some netizens were talking rubbish. There were cyber police too. But they were almost nonentities. Anko visited all these places but lingered at nowhere. His mom had asked her to study for seventeen times. But he did not pay heed and continued. After some time he said, “Mama I am hungry”But Mama did not respond. So he shouted “Mama give me something to eat, I ‘ll study after eating.” Yet his mama did not get up. Usually she used to bring his favorite eatables to his work station and feed him. But this was not happening today.He was astonished. Was mama angry? But Mama was cool. Instead she said ” Don’t ask me.You may get an e- mom on your Internet. She may be better than me. Ask her to feed you. As you get friends you may get a better mother there.” Mom’s coldness surprised Anko. She used to fret and fume every time. But today she had no qualm . He did not know what to say. He decided to find a mom on Internet. Internet provides anything, he told himself. You can get friends,you can get brides. So why not an e-mom? He typed e-mom and asked the search engine to find her. Wow! there were many moms. One mom was asking fir charity. Another one was eager to impart vital information to girls only. A tearful mom was in search of her drug addict son. Anko did not like any of these moms. But he continued search by prefixing some words or letters to the all synonyms of the word ‘Mom’ like mother, mummy, mama, and other words in Indian languages like Maa, amma, aai, ammi, maay etc. Soon his search yielded fruits. A website flashed a mesage “Choose your desired Mom from one of the countries” Anko clicked India in a reflex action. Presto!A beautiful face of a young mom appeared on the computer screen. “Hi! my lad, how are you?What do you want from me ? I have every thing - tasty eatables,toys, clothes, books, game-CDs,cartoons.Just ask for it and it will be available in minutes–Try my son, try! See my miracles, see my magic”. Her words were mesmerizing. Anko was influenced by the spell of it. He went on clicking. There was a long menu and Anko clicked on some of his favorite dishes like Manchurian, potato wafers, fish fry and ice creams,etc. ‘Let me see what happens’ he said to himself. “No Anko” His real mother was saying something. But he was in no mood to listen. he was so engrossed with thetalk of e- mom on the computer screen that he forgot his real mother. “Type your name & address please”The e mom requested Anko typed their home address as an obedient kid. “Very well, now please wait for 15 to 20 minutes , and e mom started telling some stories ,jokes, songs etc. Anko and his real mom did not feel the time gap. Within few minutes their door bell rang. A lady similar to the e-mom arrived with packages of food Anko had clicked. Anko and his real mother were shocked. “Hi you must be Anko. Here are your favorite dishes.” Appeatising Aroma of the food spread in the entire home. “But we don’t want it. Anko tried to say.” “you have just ordered it, my son I am the e- mom.” “Please sign the receipt.” She handed over a receipt with a bill of heavy amount of costs, delivery charges, tax and surcharge etc. “No we do not need it” Anko protested “This is not fair. You have just ordered it on the net. It was immediately sent to the nearest outlet and I was asked to deliver it. I am in time. Our super market is aiming to do business at the speed of thought as per the words of Mr. Bill Gate” “But I thought it was all fun” Anko replied “No Fun,it is business. Trust me our food is very tasty. You will definitely like it and you will call me again and again. We will give you concession on repeat orders. And if you do not like our dishes, we will not charge at all .That is, e will adjust the amount in your next purchases” e- Mom said with a smile. Now Anko realized that the e-mom was actually a salesgirl from the super market. Its branch was recently opened near Anko’s home. “Your credit card please” E mom asked Anko’s real mom. I don’t have it. Anko ’s mom said “Oh No credit card?” The e-mom made a face as if she is seeing eighth wonder in the world. “We never use it” Anko’s mom informed. “No problem Pay me by cash or cheque. I’ll prefer cash.” ” I don’t think I have this much cash in the home Anko’s mom whispered. However the e mom’s ears were sensitive enough to register the murmur. She called her assistant ” Bhai please come in.” A strong and stout man with beard and villain -like face entered in. His shirt bore the words ‘Recovery Agent’. “He is ‘Bhai’ our representative, he will come to collect the amount. When should I send him?” e mom said. ” Bhai please take a note of this house and the persons ” e mom told Bhai. “Our Bhai is a serious guy. He can’t even chuckle.” E- mom admired his qualities. “But I can make people weep” Bhai announced in his thundering voice. ” No, not now, Bhai See this Anko and his mother are really good people. They won’t force you to make several rounds.” With these words e- mom signaled their departure. “Please wait” Anko’s mother said in hurry. She went in and took out the money she had saved for emergency and cleared e- mom’s bills. E-mom left the home with a big cash and bigger smile. Later Anko tried the eatables but he could not swallow any of them because the experince of the e-mom had embittered his mouth. His mother tried to console him but it did not help much.
************
Ravi Torne is a Playwriter and short story writer.He writes in English and other languages.Specialist in Sci fi, humor, children’s Literature etc.Experince in writing scripts for radio & films. He regularly writes articles on http://www.ITnauts.com. email: ravi@itnauts.com You can use this article for free as long as you keep the links intact.
Reading, Not Just a Skill Applied to Books
Former US FBI Agent Joe Navarro speaks out about the ability to read body language and it’s application in poker.
Let’s face the blunt truth, in many games with non professionals, it’s almost guaranteed that nearly every hand someone is going all in.
And it when it happens, we get a variety of reponses, from the guy who looks nervous as hell regardless of whether he has a good or bad hand, to the guy who pushes all in and sits back in his invisible recliner showing as much emotion as he would watching grass grow.
But all of that’s only on the surface. Amazingly, a large majority of poker players out there don’t really know how to apply body language to their poker decision making.
Navarro focuses mainly on the basics. For him the smallest ticks can be big indicators. Say for example a player who just pushed all in is sitting with his legs uncrossed and feet planted far apart, his hands behind his head, and his head is tilted back. This is called a “territorial display,” comments Navarro. “People generally do it when they’re in a position of power.”
But there’s more to it than even that. As poker is a game of constant evolution, it only makes sense that we can take advantage of not only reading body language, but also writing it…falsely.
Once a player gets a good grasp on the basics of positive and negative body language in regards to socially situational power, it becomes easy to manipulate one’s own body language to convey something opposite of the physical reality of the cards.
Once you become comfortable enough and self aware enough of your own usual reaction in situations, you can recreate them at will. If you tend to act nervous when you’re bluffing, pay attention to what you do to show that you’re nervous, and when you have a good hand, recreate this effect. This type of evolution is the next step in staying one step ahead of the learning curve.