poker face
poker face (idiom / figurative noun phrase)
/ˈpoʊkər feɪs/ (US) · /ˈpəʊkə feɪs/ (UK)
Meanings
- A neutral facial expression that hides feelings or thoughts.
- A deliberately controlled look used to conceal intentions or emotions.
- (Literal) The expression poker players use to avoid revealing the strength of their hand.
Variants
- poker-faced
- to keep / wear a poker face
- poker faces (plural)
Synonyms: stone-faced; expressionless; impassive; deadpan; blank-faced; unreadable; stoic.
Example Sentences
- She heard the verdict but kept a poker face, so no one knew what she really felt.
- During negotiations, he wore a poker face to keep the other side guessing.
- Maria had a winning hand but maintained a poker face so her rivals couldn’t read her (literal).
Origin and History
The phrase “poker face” comes directly from the game of poker, where players must keep their expressions blank to avoid giving away the strength of their hands. The practice of masking emotion at the table became such a defining element of the game that the expression naturally developed into an idiom.
First Recorded Use
The earliest known appearance of “poker face” in print is traced to Henry Jones, writing under the pen name Cavendish, in his book Round Games at Cards. A contemporary review dated 26 December 1874 quoted the line:
“It follows that the possession of a good poker face is an advantage.”
Although the book itself carried a publication date of 1875, this review provides clear evidence that the phrase was already in circulation by the end of 1874.
Country of Emergence
While the expression was first printed in Britain, its conceptual roots are American. Poker as a game was developed and popularized in the United States during the early 19th century, and the idea of maintaining an unreadable expression at the table naturally originated there. The wording itself, however, first reached the printed page in London.
Other Theories
Some have suggested possible connections with related expressions such as “po-faced”, a later British slang term, but these theories lack strong historical backing. The overwhelming evidence points to the phrase being born directly out of poker strategy, with no convincing alternative explanation.
Expansion into Figurative Use
By the early 20th century, “poker face” was no longer confined to gambling. Journalists began to apply it to athletes, politicians, and other public figures who concealed their emotions under pressure. A famous example from the 1920s was the tennis champion nicknamed “Little Miss Poker Face.” This broadened sense soon entered everyday language, where it came to mean any expressionless or unreadable face.
Origin Summary
“Poker face” originated in the United States through the game of poker but first appeared in print in Britain in late 1874. Its earliest recorded use comes from Henry Jones’s Round Games at Cards, confirmed by a December 1874 review. From its literal gaming context, the phrase quickly expanded into a widely used idiom meaning a deliberately blank, emotionless expression.
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