Lose on purpose?

[Wheezl]

I just recently moved to Texas from Washington and there are no casinos to play in here. I work in a restaraunt and have been playing in a .5/1 NL home game with some fellow bartenders/servers who work next door.

I am a little worried because the quality of play is SO BAD that I honestly think I might be winning too much. Ive played 6 times and won in every session anywhere from 30$ to $250. Its against my principles to try to play soft or lose on purpose, but even playing just halfway decent im going to beat this game almost every night.

I'm not trying to brag here because I consider myself only a mediocre player, but compared to this field im a big favorite. I really enjoy the game and I always make sure to bring beer for everyone and its a pretty good atmosphere. I never talk about how much I won and I dont gloat, but my winnings have not gone unnoticed, especially by the girl who hosts the game. This last game I walked out with over $250, and all night there were comments about how i havent lost yet, yada yada yada.

I guess my question is has anyone else come across a similar lopsided situation and if so how did you handle it?
Just be polite and keep playing your hardest and hope you get invited back? Or soften up and try to drop a little money one night? I just dont think I can actually bring myself to play soft, but it will obviously be -EV for me to not get invited back to this game. Anyway I hope this doesnt come across as boasting, as this is really a concern I have, since this is the only live game I have found so far.

Thanks for input.

[mmbt0ne]

How's the saying go? You can shear a sheep many times, but skin him only once?
I wouldn't have a problem going in there one time and dropping maybe 20 bucks. Especially if you are constantly winning every other time.

[willie]

just play like a maniac and drop some cash one night, then go back to sheering them lightly

[theWhale]

My friend had this problem. He won 500 the first night we played with a new group(this is 5/10 LIMIT mind you). He told me he was going to dump the next time we played but he was somehow unable to and won 800(he was trying to lose and won 800 while i lost 200 trying to win). He was scared they would not invite him back.

In the end, I don't think these guys really care. They have money to blow and have a goes around comes around approach.

[Wheezl]

yeah maybe ill just go in and drink heavily one night and only take enough for 2 buyins with me like $50. Just get drunk and play crazy....but god that thought makes me quiver. That way I wont be transparantly playing worse, but ill really just be hammered.

[piratesocrates]

Perhaps challenge them in a constructive manner. Bring imported beer, or wine, 2-3 bottles and leave the unopened to the guy who drops the most cash if you feel that bad. Are these guys your friends? Treat them to lunch if they are. Playing soft will only keep their game as bad as it is. Challenge their game heads up. They can learn from you, the whole game will only get better and they will win elsewhere with their knowledge. That, and your generosity (a $50 bottle of wine is better than playing soft) will not go unnoticed.

[TenPercenter]

Where in Tx do you live Wheezl? If you live in Dallas, I'm thinking of trying this club off I-35.

I played in a couple of card rooms North of Seattle, I think it was Edmonds or Everett. I was living on QA Hill at the time.

Ten

[LetsRock]

AS long as you're being "active" when you're ahead and bleed a few chips away here and there, I doubt you will have a problem. Don't intentionally have a losing session or throw maoney away chasing dead dreams, but it looks a lot better to the group, if you're pitching some chips in and not dragging pots once and a while, especially at the end of the night.

When you do have a losing night (and you will - every dog has his day), be careful not to pull out too quick, be willing to lose a little more than you normally would - they will remember the night that you lose. I'm not saying that you should give it all back to them, but make sure they see you contributing.

Bring beer for everyone is also a "friend maker" move.

[bingledork]

I've tanked my home game before. It's a game among neighbors and my wife was getting mad at me for winning a whopping $30 a night on average. She didn't think I was being very nice to my friends. Note that most of these guys have 100K salaries.

So I lost a few nights and she felt better. I also try to educate the players (without making them feel stupid) so it's a little harder to take their money. My concern is they're going to stop playing. I think home poker is way more fun than online.

[Knockwurst]

I think bringing some good liquor to the game would make you everyone's friend. I would just suggest bourbon instead of wine -- it being Texas and all. /images/graemlins/grin.gif

If you bring a bottle of Maker's and a couple six pack of beers from time to time, how can they not invite you back. (Also be sure to have a few yourself, otherwise it just looks like you're trying to get them drunk and take their money).

[theWhale]

This happened to us. We kept wondering why we couldnt get anyone to play anymore. Then we looked around and the only ones who showed were the ones who won consistently.