The online poker scene, for better or worse, is full of people who severely lacking the social graces that would allow them to succeed in many professions. They’re smart and creative enough to do anything, but they can’t or won’t bring those skills out of the living room. The lifestyle of an online pro fosters a daily routine where you have face-to-face interactions with almost no one. You can verbalize any thoughts, react however you want, without fear of retribution or comeuppance. Adding to the twist on reality is that someone can make hundreds of thousands of dollars before their 21st birthday. It’s surreal and bizarre.

Now, take the person who never has to think about speaking or behaving to anyone’s approval at their chosen profession…and change the scene. They’re playing the same game, with the same thought processes…only now, EVERYONE is judging their speech and behavior. Not only are they scrutinized on a hand-by-hand basis (i.e. “How does he play?”), but for the future (i.e. “Would I want to play with him again?”). Online players tend to worry a great deal about the former. The truth is that the latter is a LOT more important.

James Acquaintance told me that the most important aspect of gambling is controlling your image. If you want to craft a look or carriage to try and generate action, fine. But at the very least, you want to be someone that others want to be around - if you’re not outwardly inviting them, at least you’re not repelling them and their money. If you scream when you win a pot, if you’re obnoxious, if you haven’t showered in awhile…you’re driving people away.

So what would James Acquaintance tell Hevad “Rain” Khan or any of the online pros who put some players around them on edge? Act like you’re playing poker at your grandmother’s house, surrounded by breakable things. You can still say something insightful, even a little controversial. You can react and let your emotions run a little free. But get too loud, and she’ll shush you. Get too rude, and you’ll get a bar of Ivory in your mouth. And jump up and run around, and you’ll break her collection of crystal teddy bears…and then not even the Good Lord can protect you.