Woman's Day, November 1st, 2006
Cheryl Hines, star of HBO’s Curb Your Enthusiasm, has a card up her sleeve:
She plays poker— and wins—against celebrities and professionals on the tournament circuit. She also loves trying her hand at Hollywoodpoker.com. Use her tips for boosting confidence and staying focused under pressure. It’s advice you don’t have to gamble on.
You’re an actress—teach me how to bluff!
When I’m trying to make people believe I have a good hand, I do the same
thing I would if I had a bad hand. I’ve found that whatever your goals are, you
have to fake it till you make it. If you believe in yourself, you’ll exude confidence and people will respond.
How do you stay confident competing against professionals?
I try not to be concerned with what others have accomplished. The pros don’t
get different cards than the average player—we’re all working from the same deck. Don’t worry about those around you. Worry about your own hand.
Do you play your cards close to your chest?
It’s a lot easier to outfox somebody when he doesn’t know what cards you’re holding. That’s true in life. Take a look at what’s going on around you before you speak and act to determine your next move.
Any other tricks?
Be patient. A great hand may not come for another 45 minutes, or in life it might not come until next year, but you want to be ready. It’s like the saying: “Success always comes when preparation meets opportunity.” Opportunities
won’t do much for you if you’re not prepared to take advantage of them.
