Poker Online - The Name of the Game
People have always had a fascination with names.
Thousands of books have been written all over the world in various languages, on the subject of names, their heritage, their meaning, or even how to choose a name for your child.
In Spain, where the history of names is celebrated more than in most other European countries, it is interesting to see the wide variety of usernames that people use when they sign-up to play online poker.
Spanish names themselves reflect the rich culture inherent in the country, and are often very significant and symbolic. Many first names are derived from those of saints or other religious figures. The surname is traditionally derived from the parent’s surnames; the father’s followed by the mother’s. However, this tradition may soon be lost as Spain has recently introduced legal provisions to allow parents to freely decide the order and use of the surname. It is also not unknown for a married woman to have up to six-surnames.
So what’s in a poker name?
Well, it is very typical to see men using female names and women using male names while playing online poker. It is also common to see the use of longer names for the username, more so than in most other countries, where shorter names or abbreviations are used. Perhaps this reflects the typical Spanish culture and adoration for names, such as the double-barrelled surnames, respecting both the father and mother surnames in the family.
Both men and women also like using pseudo-names as a way of projecting some form of online pseudo-identity, or to create a mystique surrounding their anonymity.
St Minver, the online game company that operates many online poker sites including Juega Poker Ya, found that the names of animals such as (bull or wolf) were particularly popular usernames assumed by many men when playing poker on the internet.
According to research by Juega Poker, women often assumed male identities when they play online poker, because they think people might make fun of them playing a traditionally male card game.
The same can be said for the many men that sign-up to play online bingo games. Men perceived bingo as being something women do most, so they assumed female names in order to save embarrassment. This however, has not stopped many poker players also signing-up for online bingo and vice versa.
It was also felt that men assumed women’s names for the benefit of poker chat rooms, so that women would feel more comfortable chatting to them online. Perhaps they even expected women to reveal more information this way!
Other popular usernames chosen by male poker players were food-related, or film related. While women chose names of flowers and siblings, or those that they would like to use for their own children one day.
Overall it was likely that Spanish players used their surname rather than an abbreviation or pseudo-name. Again perhaps reflecting the respect for the parents surname or the beauty of their name deeply rooted within Spanish culture.
It is often said that it is possible to tell someone’s personality from their name. Some also believe that the name we are given at birth pre-disposes the personality we will grow into as we get older. Is it possible then to tell the type of people that sign up to play poker online, just by looking at their first name? Could it help you gain an advantage in knowing the type of poker player they may be?
Below is a list of the top 5 Spanish male and female names and a quick example of their associated personalities, taken from poker players that have signed-up to the St Minver network:
MALE
Angel - These are very daring, audacious and enterprising in their behaviour. Antonio – If you think that they can be fooled then you are absolutely wrong. Carlos – Can be indecisive and also a bit reserved. David - Once they make a goal then nothing would be able to divert them from their aim. Javier – Optimistic that everything will turn out just fine in the end. Jose – Brazen at heart and want constant adventures to add spice to their life. Luis – A debonair that enjoys being wined and dined in the right kind of atmosphere. Miguel - Does everything to extreme, doesn't like leaving unfinished business. Pedro - Excited by forms of combat or action. Raul - Sharp-witted and can easily understand a situation. No one can take you for a ride.
FEMALE
Adriana - These are the business class people and they never mix 'business with pleasure'. AnaAnna - Not the fanatic kind and knows how to maintain their limitation. Carmen - Communicating with others is no problem for them. Loves group discussions. Elena - Thrives on heated topics and does not hesitate to put forward their views. IsaIsabel - Feel the need to be motivated and applauded for their achievements. Laura - Needs to be reminded from time to time that they possess intellectual power. Maria – Very emotional and ferocious when dealing with both the sides of coin. Rosa - You are straightforward and blunt in your opinions and do not tolerate any kind of excuses. Sandra - You are very vigilant and shrewd. Toni - You change your opinions and views very fast.
From the lists above we can see the personalities of players that are signing up to play online poker. Perhaps we can tell what type of game they might play, be it aggressive, passive etc.
What we cannot tell is whether these players are having any luck at becoming prosperous players. To do that, perhaps they should follow Chinese philosophers who believe that in choosing a name, we can improve our fortunes. Maybe try choosing a username like, ”lucky Luke”.
posted by Games @ 4:35 AM
