The Top 25 Best Poker Faces

2 min read
Phil

The poker face became a popular fad with Lady Gaga��s popular song, ��Poker Face�� in 2008, but they��ve always been a thing in the poker world.

In fact, on a related note, Lady Gaga was apparently invited with Jay Z to try her hand at the Irish Poker Festival hosted by Ladbrokes. They never showed up, but that's neither here nor there.

A study from Harvard in 2010 showed that the stone-faced, no smile tendency of many poker players is less effective than if you had smiled, looked excited and acted trustworthy when bluffing. All you untrustworthy folks better change up your game face. Also, facial recognition software and televised events kind of killed that concept.

Whether gawking over the seriousness of an incredible straight face or joking about the ridiculousness of a really dumb-looking response from a poker player at the table, PokerNews decided it was time to come to some sort of consensus (in no particular order).

1. Phil Ivey

Phil Ivey

Deep, piercing stare.

2. Phil Hellmuth

Phil Hellmuth

Keeping it real with the dark shades.

3. Liv Boeree

Liv Boeree

Staring into my soul. When considering this play, I like to think this aloofness is in response to some clean, old-fashioned poker angle shooting.

4. Mike McDonald

Mike McDonald

Placing fear in the hearts of millions (and trying to at the same time think of all the full house poker slang).

5. Greg Raymer

Greg Raymer

A posture of poise.

6. Tom Dwan

Tom Dwan

A little squirrelly but also just a little villain-y. This is the face of someone who may be poker limping for a week.

7. Daniel Negreanu

Daniel Negreanu

It��s almost a frown��Maybe it's because he lost the pot.

8. Vanessa Selbst

Vanessa Selbst

It takes a lot to look this unenthused.

9. Lucille Cailly

Lucille Cailly

She does not look thrilled.

10. Pius Heinz

Pius Heinz

Can��t always tell where exactly his gaze is going.

11. Dennis Phillips

Dennis Phillips

He looks like he��s had a really tough day. Somebody give this guy a hug.

12. Leo Margets

Leo Margets

A look of quiet surprise.

13. Scott Montgomery

Scott Montgomery

Dead pan.

14. Aaron Jones

Aaron Jones

Watch as his fate flashes before his eyes.

15. Peter Eastgate

Peter Eastgate

The many faces of entertainment.

16. Jackson Genovesi

Jackson Genovesi

Acting like a real moneymaker, #amiright?

17. Daniel Dvoress

Daniel Dvoress

With that posture and that focus, who��d have thought he started online?

18. Doyle Brunson

Doyle Brunson

When you��ve got a hat like that, who can see your facial expressions to begin with?

19. Vanessa Rousso

Vanessa Rousso

Purse those lips.

20. Gus Hansen

Gus Hanson, left, and Phil Ivey, right

Consistency is key.

21. Johnny Chan

Johnny Chan

If you can��t see the eyes, does that affect the poker face game fairness? Can we even judge? Well, of course we can.

22. Jennifer Tilly

Jennifer Tilly

Get at ��em with that reflector glare.

23. George Danzer

George Danzer

To what heights can we take our poker staring contest? Start with the hair.

24. David Paredes

David Paredes

Occasionally crushing dreams with his gaze.

25. Ben Lamb

Ben Lamb

Fierce.

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