It's all in the cards.

Penn State students are embracing the game of poker and are ready to up the ante.

Jordan Cascino (freshman-political science) said he has been playing poker since he was 8 years old. He's been through various tournaments and has even organized a few of his own. When asked to share his knowledge on the game, Cascino said it's just as much a question of psychology as it is strategy.

"People generally have a total misconception of poker. They believe it is a game based upon chance," Cascino said. "I believe the opposite, that it is based on skill and playing your opponents. Poker is not a game of cards that people play; rather, it is a game that people play with cards."

Though Cascino has been playing for more than 10 years and has considerable experience in the game, he agrees that by keeping this in mind, even a novice can use some basic tips and tricks to improve their game.

Cascino and several other Penn State poker players were willing to share some top card tricks to help new players find their game:

Learn the poker face

What could be a more classic skill than mastering the poker face? In Cascino's opinion, a poker face can be a player's best trump card for success in the game.

"Be consistent in your demeanor, expect the unexpected, and do not talk during hands unless you are making a play," Cascino said.

Never let other people know your playing ability

Kelly Stultz (senior-journalism), founder of a women's poker group, said that in this game, women could definitely be underestimated. She said this factor can be a huge benefit strategically.

"Don't let them know how much, or how little, you really know," Stultz said. "Don't give them anything to base their opinion on in regards to your playing ability."

Stultz also said being female can even be an advantage in the game of poker.

"Guys assume you won't bluff, and you will always bet big when you actually have something. Use this," she said.

Even for a male player, Stultz said, keeping one's playing ability a secret is a good way to be unpredictable.

Read the other players

Not everyone has a poker face. Cascino said that by simply paying attention to opponents, a player can learn to predict who will tend to bluff.

"Basically, a 'tell' is exactly what you think it may mean," said Cascino. "It is a gesture or comment made by a player that can help tell you what their hand is. You have to pay close attention to their actions to better understand what kind of a hand they might have. For example, if a player can't wait to make a bet impatiently, he probably has a good hand. However, if a person bets like a nut job, throwing his chips around and whatnot, he probably has a weak hand."

Know when to bluff

Bill Passodelis (freshman-engineering) has played in major poker tournaments and said he has loved the game all his life. In regards to the bluff bill, he said he thinks it has to be unpredictable.

"Don't do it unless you've built up the credibility. This is how you will trick them," Passodelis said. "Play your cards fair and show them that you are playing modestly, then at a random time, bluff -- and clean up."

Know how to bluff

Passodelis said that if and when you want to bluff, bluff big, bet it all and intimidate.

"I really like to slow play them at first," he said. "I bet a couple of chips, get them interested, make them think they have a chance. Then, after the pot grows a little, I push my whole pile of chips in the pot and look them square in the eye. They almost always chicken out."

He said that players don't necessarily have to use this strategy, but they should make sure they have the confidence to back up their plays when they are going to bluff.

Don't show your cards

In a game of poker, if everyone else folds, Cascino said it's important that each player doesn't reveal whether or not he or she was bluffing.

"In a competitive game, you should never show your cards," he said. "If no one calls you, then they are not worthy of seeing your cards. A poker player's golden rule should be that their opponents have to pay to see their hand."

Know when to stop

Though all these poker players have different strategies and playing styles, all said they agree that, in poker, it's important to know when to stop.

"It is hard for people to keep track of their gambling habits," Cascino said. "Some people will bet on anything -- cards, horses, or whether or not they can eat something faster than someone else. You just have to watch yourself and watch your wallet. Play cards when you are feeling well, be confident in yourself and play at a pace that you can handle."