Recently I feel very uncomfortable betting (even with strong hands). I know everyone at the table is looking at me and I feel like my bluffs are obvious based on the way I'm betting.. I'm not talking about the amount of the bet but just the routine of the bet.

Do you have a specific routine you do regardless if its a raise, value bet, bluff??

Any pointers where I should be looking during and after the bet? should I keep my head down, look at whoever is next to act, or look at the pot?

thanks

You might get some useful responses if you give a little more information and ask more specific questions. Type of games, stakes, how well the players know you, how well you know them, etc. Home games are different than poker room games. Why are you concerned about this? Have you reason to suspect anyone at the table is paying any attention? Are you looking for tells from them? What are you seeing?

Just grab watch some videos of durrrr. Same action when he bets no matter what and looks at the pot.

Looking at pot makes sense because that is your sole purpose at the table anyway. And it's easier to build a consistent routine as its always in the same place.

Try and do the exact same thing every time. If you think you're doing different things then you need to change that ASAP.

lately Ive been playing home games 50nl and 100nl. 6-7 people. mostly friends and a few unknowns.

Im concerned bc Whenever I bet/raise I feel anxious and I feel they can sense that. then they come over the top and Im forced to fold. This happens a lot from the btn and Co when I raise and Cbet. It just seems like they have a read based on the way I bet.

Id just like some guidance on the proper way to bet, and what I should be doing after I bet.. where should my hands go, where should I be looking, should I be talking, should I announce raise or just put chips out there?

Im a little Obsessive so the more detail the better, thanks

There is no "correct" way to bet. Since you are obviously uncomfortable you need to go practice. It might sound a little silly, but sit down in front of a mirror and bet. If you want to use both hands then use both of your hands. I personally stack my put up and then push it over when I slide it out. Since you are already self conscience about it just do what feels comfortable and then practice it.

I actually never thought of practice betting but that would probably help alot. Thanks Tyrober

No problem bud. I did it when I first started playing live because I wanted to see what my opponents saw when I bet. I am a very big tell guy so I try to do the same exact thing everytime.

(pre-warning, take with a grain of salt as i have only played in the casino once.) I was nervous as all get out the first few times i bet live (casino), then it dawned on me, I'm not at WSOP and these folks playing poker are just that, folks playing poker. I know how to play poker, it's a game that i enjoy, it's a game that i am not bad at. why be nervous? for me, just relaxing and playing poker, as the game i've come to learn and love, took a lot of weight off my shoulders. so again, for me (a newbie in live casino poker who probably shouldn't be giving advise on casino poker in the first place), the robotic approach just didn't work for me and im not too concerned that Joe Blow at the local indian casino is going to be reading my soul.

yea i notice allot that some players will throw in chips when they strong vs sliding them into pot when they are weak or the other way around. so for me i usually try and always put them in the pot in the same manner....

Yeah def pause a few seconds to think about your bet and then do it with the same motion.
I generally look around and make eye contact with the guy. But i'm pretty comfortable when i play live.
If nervous, just pause think about your bet and then stare at the cards and stay as relaxed as possible.
Don't bet too fast.
I prob wouldn't talk too much as the more you do, the more you information you are giving away.
Bet slowly, stare at the pot and don't move or say a word until they have made their move.

Very small things such as looking at your opponent, looking around, changing your posture, shaking, talking, betting quickly, etc can all give away the strength (or lack there of) of your hand. I would just recommend that you be cognizant of what your body is doing and as other posters stated, take your time, stare in one location and don't say a word to your opponent when he baits you to do so.

I just can't agree with all that is being said here. imo a smiling and outgoing demeanor, a little chatty, especially about non poker things, be the guy the other players enjoy losing to. The tighter and more robotic you get, the more people will be stand offish and reluctant. Embrace the social and play hard but with a smile. Make them less unhappy to lose to you than they would be if they feared or resented you. (steps off soapbox)

above all have fun, poker isn't life or death. It's only a game.

Sometimes when i'm strong i'll stare at the community cards and when i know the op is staring at me i'll make eye contact quickly and then look away.

I do it pretty rarely, but have been known to get some calls from it.
Use it sparingly and when you're in that large pot with that monster hand and you really want that call.

Other than that keep it consistent.