Poker Face Idiom Definition

• Poker Face Idiom Definition Dictionary

‘Scott hid his grin behind a poker face - something he'd learned from Johnny.’ ‘When we express our goodwill, we usually use a smile or a welcoming expression, not just a political poker face.’ ‘He looked like he was brooding, but was hiding it behind the perfect poker face.’. Poker face A blank expression that does not reveal anything about the cards being held. Poker table A typical poker game will have between two and ten players. A padded table top is preferred to facilitate picking up chips and cards. Polarized when someone's range is split into either very strong hands or bluffs position See main article: position. An expression on someone's face that does not show what he or she is thinking or feeling: to wear / keep a poker face One of the most difficult things to do in an emotionally charged situation is to maintain a poker face.

The phrase poker face is a phrase thrown around constantly to refer to keeping one’s emotions in check. Upon meeting someone with a stoic nature one might comment, “That’s quite a poker face you’ve got there.” In another instance one might say, “The boss can smell fear. If you go in there, You’d better have your poker face ready.”.

English[edit]

Alternative forms[edit]

• poker faced, pokerfaced

Etymology[edit]

From the attitude necessary in the game of poker, since one is ill-advised to reveal delight at being dealt a winning hand lest other players decline to bet (or contrariwise, show disappointment at a poor hand if one is inclined to bluff).

Adjective[edit]

poker-faced (comparativemore poker-faced, superlativemost poker-faced)

1. Wearing a poker face: studiously neutral in facial expression; giving nothing away.

   John, in his most poker-faced manner, continued to explain the rules.

Synonyms[edit]

• (studiously neutral in expression):deadpan, expressionless, unexpressive, impassive

See also[edit]

Further reading[edit]

• poker-faced at OneLook Dictionary Search

English[edit]

Noun[edit]

(pluralpoker faces)

1. (poker) An impassive facial expression cultivated to prevent other players from determining whether one's actions in the game are the result of a quality hand, or of bluffing.

   Though he thought he had a perfect poker face, he had a number of tells his opponents soon learned.

2. Any similar expression used to prevent giving away one's motives, feelings, or situation.
3. A person who has a poker face

Synonyms[edit]

Derived terms[edit]

Translations[edit]

Poker Face Idiom Definition Dictionary