Chat – How to win more by saying and reading less

I see many posts here about or referring to table talk (chat). Either "look at what this donk said" or "look at what I said to this donk" or "why do they think I’m a donk for making this call". Well I’m here to tell you there is a better way; turn off your chat!

While I was never a big talker about 3 months ago I turned of chat entirely and, after the initial shock of seeing nothing other than system messages, it has done wonders for my game. I don’t try to play back at the table idiot anymore because I don’t know who the table idiot is (in most cases it’s likely me anyway). I don’t know what others might be saying about me so I feel no need to defend myself either through words or actions. If I suck out on someone I don’t have to see what they are saying and I never feel the need to respond or justify my actions. I no longer make enemies by saying the wrong thing or responding to someone else’s comments. Hell, I don’t even worry anymore what they might be saying about me. I just kick back and play distraction free poker.

Some of you may bristle at this because you like the social aspect of the game and I completely understand this. It’s why I turn chat back on if someone I recognize from CC sits down at the table or I’m playing in a CC game, but outside of that it’s no chat for me. Since I’ve turned it off completely I’m running better, tilting less, and getting more enjoyment from the game than ever before.

Try a session or two for yourself; just don’t be surprised if you never turn it back on again.

Boring nah its a valid tactic, i do it when im multi tabling ring games

but in mtt's i have it on just for general chat

and in cc games i hold the table talk together single handedly getting everyone in the convo

On the few occasions when I knew I would be sitting with a particularly obnoxious member in a CC game, no Rotty, I'm not talkin about you, I have turned off that players chat & been unaffected by him, so I suspect this is very good advice if you find table chat is affecting your play.
Good post WV.

For me it may not necessarily be the social aspect, but more due to the fact that I am so nosey and want to know everyting that is going on. However, I do agree with the idea that I play better when i either have the chat off or completely ignore it. Otherwise, exactly like wvhillbilly said, if there is chat related to my play then I feel like I have to justify my play.

i like to leave it on myself. i dont mind a little chat, and plus if im gettin underneath somebodys skin, i wanna know it. if i see what they are saying i can potentially expoilt their frustration at some point. call me a dmf, a poopyhead, whatever, cause i dont know , and what you say is not gonna upset me or rattle me or effect my game in anyway. i may feel the need to provoke you further if i feel your inches from the edge of the cliff, but it just depends really.

my best money play came at pokerstars when they ban me chattin ran a br. for 2 months then i got my chat back.

So why did you turn it back on? There is nothing that says you can't turn your chat off and play peaceful poker.

Fine suggestion Hill!

I never noticed how chat distracts me. Also a distraction, when I am at home the TV is always on. I was on the road a few weeks ago and played without any extraneous noise whatsoever, it was great... now to try no TV and NO CHAT

A great post from WVHillbilly. Chat is turned OFF.

When I'm playing poker online, the chat is generally turned off.
So don't be offended if I don't answer you while I'm playing poker.

You can always chat with me here.

I never even thought about doing this lol, so I tried it and it does work. I'm not worried about what other people have to say, and I no longer have the urge to type stuff in to other people. It has helped quite a bit.

i completely agree. when there is no talk at the tables i play way better. sometimes i misjudge peoples style of play by things they say which is a bad move. i am going to turn my chat off during my play tomorrow and see how it goes. great advice