Etymology

poker-faced

Today it means: Wearing a poker face: studiously neutral in facial expression; giving nothing away. Full definition →

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The story

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).

Etymology from Wiktionary, CC BY-SA 4.0.