| Ever since the creation of the earliest online poker | | | | individualistic, as it may well be the case that no other |
| rooms, there have been special images or "avatars" | | | | player has the same avatar as you. |
| designed to represent each of the players at the table. | | | | Does your avatar affect the way your opponents play |
| But what is the history of these avatars, and does the | | | | against you? |
| choice of your avatar change the way your | | | | In my honest opinion, I highly doubt that your player |
| opponents perceive your style of play? | | | | avatar (at rooms that allow you to choose your own) |
| Poker avatars at different rooms. | | | | will have any significant affect on the way your |
| The use of avatars at poker rooms can be split up | | | | opponents perceive your style of play. Of course a |
| into 3 separate groups: | | | | custom avatar may be a slight reflection on your |
| - Rooms that do not allow you to choose your own | | | | personality, but I highly doubt that any player is going to |
| avatar. | | | | change their strategy when they are in a pot with you |
| - Rooms that allow you to choose an avatar from a | | | | because of an image that is representing you at the |
| selection of avatars. | | | | table. |
| - Rooms that allow you to create and upload your | | | | If you are letting your opponents' avatars get in the |
| own avatar. | | | | way of playing a healthy game of poker, you really |
| The first type of room that does not allow you to | | | | need to start looking for the options menu to stop |
| choose an avatar to represent you at the table is quite | | | | avatars from being displayed. You have a lot more |
| a rare breed. There are still a few rooms that actually | | | | important things to think about at the table than the |
| do not even have characters at the table, which | | | | graphics. |
| means that you are solely represented by you | | | | Which avatars are the best? |
| username and your chips stack. | | | | The avatar that you choose to represent you is purely |
| The most popular room that allows you to choose an | | | | down to personal preference, and so one avatar is not |
| avatar from a selection is Full Tilt Poker. This room has | | | | necessarily "better" than another. However, my advice |
| a nice set of around 90 cartoon avatars for you to | | | | would be to choose one that you can easily recognize, |
| choose from, with each suited to different personalities. | | | | as this will help you to spot your position at the table if |
| The next step up is a room like PokerStars, which | | | | you are playing at multiple tables at a time. |
| allows you to upload you own images that can be | | | | In my opinion this is the only real strategical value of |
| displayed above your name whilst you play. This | | | | choosing an avatar, so pick one that stands out to you. |
| makes your player account at the room even more | | | | |