Poker Queen

Thirty-year-old Rathfarnham native Rebecca McAdam has been playing poker for half her life. As well as helping her through college, it has given her skills that have helped in life as well as in tournaments.

In her new book, How To Become A Poker Queen (Ryland Peters Small), she says it has also taught her how to read people by their "tells" or nervous tics, recalling one player who used to cover his neck with a scarf during games to conceal the blotches that would break out on his neck when he had a good hand. Never show weakness, she says. Don't cover your mouth in meetings, make sure your hands are steady and keep your eyes on anyone presenting with nervous twitches.

Alanna Gallagher