Some players are cold blooded and can look at the table thinking what to do, rigid as statues. Others talk to themshelves like Gollum, play with their beards, etc.
When playing at home and I have no idea about how to set my dial, I sing in a soft voice "Bananarama". This is a hint that I will do some weird, unexpected and bad move. I am curious about you...
Edited by HexdotI tend to mutter to myself and cross my arms if I'm in a really tight spot, or if I'm thinking really hard about what actions to take (barrel rolls, boosts, and the like in particular).
Playing with my beard, definitly.
Mutter myself, brush my mustache/stroke my goatee, fiddle with items in my reach, hum a tune.
Edited by DariusAPBI just think out loud. It helps me get through the process and I cover all options so my opponent has to worry about everything I might do.
Faced this opponent who keeps murmuring to himself about how his movements should be based on the most logical thing to do, spreading his thumb and pinky in the air (think 'call me' gesture, horizontally) and move 'em in rapid motions to measure the 'precise' ship movements.
Two of his ships got stuck in the asteroid that round.
Edited by GrivoirePlaying with my beard, definitly.
I keep my "soul patch" just long enough to stroke. I love doing it! One time, I was at the tail end of a 8+ hour car drive and at a stop light. I was spacing out and stroking my soul patch, when I refocused and realized I was zoning out in the general direction of the pizza delivery guy on the other side of the light. He was smiling and stroking his beard in an ironic imitation of me. I laughed so hard!
I have a tendency to bite my lip. In a really tight situation I draw in the air. Like on a phantom chalkboard.
They need us in "Big bang theory"
I usually don't do any telltale stuff, altough I notice I focus more on the game pieces and make less eye contact when I'm loosing. And when i take my time during my turn that's usually an indication I've worked out a way to win the game right then and there.
The one exception is chess! I can play Magic, netrunner and other games with as close to a poker face as i can manage. Put me behind a chess board and I will devolve into a constant stream of muttering: "Next turn I'll move my bishop to that square so i can then take his bishop with my queen unless my opponent expects that so I should just move my knight to-"
Edited by Robin Graves