Thanks everyone! I think I show too much...the image thing, to me, is a good reason. Not to try and create an image for myself but to try and change the minds of people at the table.
Also, I'd consider showing the rare hands such as straight flushes/royal/maybe quads. Just to show. They don't happen often.
Timmah120.
Great thread. I hope you have got something out of these comments.
I would like you to consider the reasons why you show your cards and whether opponents show theirs.
Think about it. How many of your opponents show their cards? Do you think they want you to know what they have won with? if so, does that give you more information about them that you would otherwise have. I think you will find that most of your opponents don't show their cards and therefore you have reduced information about them.
The same applies to you. If you win with a nice hand, and show it, then you are giving away a whole load of information about you and how you played that hand. They will use this against you next time which makes poker less profitable for you.
Playing poker isn't about exhibiting your winning hands. Get a pony and go show that if you want! (LOL) You dont get a rosette for having a great poker hand; you get chips. The more chips you have means the more money you can win.
Keep your cards to yourself, unless there is a tactical reason for showing. People only want you to show cards for them to gain from you. Dont give information way, unless it is information that you have calculated is to provide YOU with an advantage by showing. The reasons above explain this in terms of presenting a certain image etc.
The bottom line is , always have an informed reason for showing your hand. Just to show a great hand, is not an informed reason. You may as well just pass your chips over instead!
I hope this helps.
BB