May 15, 2010 2:59:18 AM EDT
Also, one thing I never do is chastise other players in the game. I may piss and moan about losing a big pot, but I don't turn around and tell another player how much they suck for calling a raise with 255K s00ted!
I never tap the glass of the fishtank, I congratulate them on the nice win. I want them playing in spots where they're going to lose money to me in the long run.
There are some whiney nits that show up in the game that can't help themselves and constantly berate the profit centers for sticking around and chasing when they shouldn't, that's the worst thing you can do because you don't want to:
a. Wise up the bad players into playing better
b. Make the bad players have an unenjoyable experience at the table and cause them to leave
What you want is to make the game entertaining for the bad players, so they don't mind losing so much. That's why I'm so chatty and friendly at the table, joking with people and having a good time.
There are some pros in the game who are just quiet all game and only play their hands and that's about it. They run the risk of giving away how tight they are playing.
Whereas someone like myself, who is constantly bantering at the table gives the other players (aside from the pros who are more aware) the impression that I'm playing more hands than I really am, because I come across as so active.
By becoming friendly with people in the game, they're tend to feel less bad about losing to you as well. They have fun losing to an extent, you want them to feel that way. They are there to be entertained, to have a good time and of course to donate to your stack. So it's your job to ensure they have a good time while donating to the cause.
I think Mike Caro mentioned this in a recent article he wrote. About how people know he's a professional, but they actively seek out games he's in because he keeps them entertained and he makes their losing to him an enjoyable experience.
So consider being an extrovert when you play, it gives the impression that you play looser than you really do, which encourages action when you've got the goods.
Likewise, if people feel friendly towards you, they will often softplay a bit. I've had people willing to check down the stone cold nuts against me in this game, saving me a bet here and there that adds up over time. So do your best to make people like you in the game and that can add to your hourly rate as well. :)
9
