Poker-faced

Alternative forms

• poker faced
• pokerfaced

Origin

From the attitude necessary in the game of poker, since one is ill-advised to reveal delight at being dealt a winning hand lest other players decline to bet (or contrariwise, show disappointment at a poor hand if one is inclined to bluff).

Full definition of poker-faced

Adjective

1. Wearing a poker face: studiously neutral; giving nothing away.John, in his most poker-faced manner, continued to explain the rules.

Synonyms

• deadpan