I have like this sort of tell when a pot becomes too big and I don't have it, when a bad card comes or I'm bluffing.

Not sure if people actually see it, but I certainly feel it.
When I turn my head it feels like it gets stuck or freezes half-way for like half a second or so.
It's hard to describe, but it's like there's a small delay on my head moving in the middle, like a video getting stuck for half a second or so and then jumping forward.

I'm sure this will go away by itself when I get used to playing bigger pots, but that doesn't solve my issue.
There's always going to be bigger plays/pots that will make me uncomfortable.

Is there any way to fully get rid of a tell like this?
Or should I figure out a way to hide it, like I could just stop moving my head


This has now happened a few times where I'm in position and a bad river card comes for me, like when I have a set and the river completes a flush or straight.
Some of the better players take a while to make their action OOP and stare at me, making me extremely uncomfortable.

Here's what I've learned to do in these situations. I pretend that I'm the one with the draw. Then, when that third spade comes or whatever, I will still react--but more positively. Obviously, it should be as subtle as the involuntary reaction you describe. Maybe even try something as egregious as a small smile when the river card is actually something you detest.

Eventually, you'll learn to not react at all. But this is a good interim measure, as opponents will assume that if you were lying (which you are), that lying would be more overt. They'll congratulate themselves on having picked up your "tell."

Another possibility is to just close your eyes and relax when the river card comes--don't give yourself anything to react to.

You can 'hide' physically. Hoodie, hat, glasses, mask....

You can practice imagining good things. Remember how good it feels to peel the cards and see AA. Just imagine that feeling when the river comes out.

I just don't even look at the river card until after V acts if I'm in position in these situations. If OOP, I try to act like I'm trying to figure out how big a value bet I can make, when I'm really trying to decide how small my bluff can be.

Yeah just don’t watch the river card coming out

I'm going to try that.
Might lead to some strange and fun scenarios.

Do any of you actually do this?

Imo some regular meditation and breathwork exercises in your daily routine could help you learn how to relax your body and mind in stressful situations.

It has definitely worked for me.

Try to do the same thing during every hand -- look at the board the entire time, or look away until after the action, etc. Same thing every time. It's hard, but it makes it harder to read you until you are more comfortable.

Also, keep your hands in the same spot, don't take a drink or take a drink every hand at the same time, etc.

Counting to three or whatever before you act -- every time -- also helps.

Honestly, at low stakes, I doubt many notice

Similar to this, I try to do the same thing every time in big pots on the turn/river if I know a big decision is coming. I try to consistently just stare at the pot/flop for a solid 1-2 seconds, take a deep breath, then decide my action. That 1-2 seconds goes a long way in letting nerves/adrenaline wash over you. If you're consistent in doing it all the time, no matter if you're ahead or behind, you should get into a rhythm to the point where it won't matter what comes out, at least for those couples seconds.

That should at least psychologically get you out of worrying about whether anyone else has noticed anything.

This is almost certainly built up in your mind. It's not like your sitting at a table full of Daniel Negreanus. Don't worry about it and eventually it will go away because a big pot won't scare you so much.

For my part, I just try to stay as still as possible for most of it.

This is genius ty

The more you practice it away from the table the easier it gets too. This also translates to all kinds of stressful life situations as well.

Tried not looking at the card yesterday, kinda worked, sure as hell was funny.
The guy actually asked what I had and I was completely clueless since I didn't see the card yet!