Betfair Official Blog

Acting Like A Poker Player

"WOMEN seem to make naturally good poker players, because we're good at reading body language and non-verbal communication, interestingly enough what half of the game is about."

Who said that?

With no hint of irony that is the considered opinion of one Abi Titmuss, a woman for whom non-verbal communication is a speciality, it being the root of her fame.

According to Titmuss, who for those of without access to a search engine is the one former Blue Peter presenter John Leslie made out with earlier (on camera), poker is 50 per cent tells, tics and touch.

Want to know what the other half of the game is all about? Says Ms Titmuss: "It really is half about the cards you've got, and half of the cards you pretend you've got."

That's right. Poker is nothing to do with having a deep stack or brilliant cards. It's all to do with pretence. Says Titmuss: "Which is probably why actors and actresses seem to like it and get involved in it."

The Poker Anorak had been labouring under the notion that celebs got involved with poker because poker is fashionable and they will do whatever it takes to be noticed. But to think that way is to do Ms Titmuss a disservice.

She continues: "It's such an exciting game, and a smart game. It uses your brain and it really gets you thinking. It's like acting." See Hollyoaks.

"I love that side of it. You play the players, not just the cards. You're really looking at the other players and playing them on their body language. There's so much to it. You can learn it in an hour, and still be learning for a lifetime. You learn more every game."

Wonder what Abi will learn next?

• Poker
• Poker Anorak