Wannabe pros and ESPN

[Raiter]

I hate for my first post to be a negative one but this sudden boom in poker facination over the last 2 years is great but it has unleashed a whole new crop of wannabe pros who think that if they watch ESPN, buy Supersystem, and know all of the key lines from Rounders, and you are instantly a pro. So being as I have been playing for the last 8 years and have been in the business for the last 6 years I want to offer a checklist for players so you can know for yourself if you are one of these wannabe dorks who will end up living at your moms house rekindling all your bad beat stories to people in the party poker play money room. So here we go.

You are most likely a wannabe dork if you ever...

-Wore your sunglasses/mp3 player/all in WPT shirt at the 2/4 through 6/12 table.

-Can play both parts of Mike Mcdermit and KGB from Rounders verbatum and have used them at your table.

-You use a board name other then your real first name and last initial. (example: Kid Poker, Rocket Fuel, KGB, Mike McD, Texas Dolly, etc.)

-Youve ever muttered the line "I knew you had that."

-You Dont Tip the dealers.

-Youve said "I was Suited." or "I Knew you had Aces."

-Youve made the claim that you cant win at your local cardroom because you are a "no limit player".

-You call time or take longer then 10 seconds to make a decision at blue chip poker.

-You have ever stared anyone down preflop looking for a tell after they have called the 2 dollar bet.

-You say at anytime to anyone that will listen at your table that you are a pro and everyone else is stupid.

-You ever say the words "I had/have pot odds."

-You bring your girlfriend in to the card room and have her sit behind you for hours as you play your blue chip game trying to impress her as shes falling behind as you promise just 1 more round.

I hope this has been enlighting for you all and if you qualify as a wannabe pro, then dont quit playing but just shut up and learn this game. Remember the best players dont care what people think of them or their image.



Raiter

[annieadlin]

Raiter,
That was pretty funny.

[worm33]

u sound bitter. I believe you should quit your job.

[stu-unger]

"in the poker game of life u r the rake"
just kiddin man, u gotta luv guys who come to casinos to impress the table and leave their allowance on the felt.

[MEbenhoe]

I dont play that much live poker but....

You should embrace these guys. Neon flashing signs that say I'm a fish are good in my opinion.

[ QUOTE ]

-You bring your girlfriend in to the card room and have her sit behind you for hours as you play your blue chip game trying to impress her as shes falling behind as you promise just 1 more round.


[/ QUOTE ]

I always find this hilarious at Canterbury. The last time I was there, a guy at my table got ID'd for an alcohol purchase and had an out of state license. The waitress asks him, oh what are you doing around here. Ridiculously hott gf behind him pipes up, "He's visiting me".

The type of guy that would spend part of his time visiting his gf with her sitting behind him at a poker table really has his values screwed up.

[toots]

I think you have pretty well nailed it, sir.

Then again, these people stand in stark contrast to the other stereotypical examples of the top of humanity's food chain that you normally encounter in a B&M poker room?

[Edge34]

[ QUOTE ]
I dont play that much live poker but....

You should embrace these guys. Neon flashing signs that say I'm a fish are good in my opinion.

[ QUOTE ]

-You bring your girlfriend in to the card room and have her sit behind you for hours as you play your blue chip game trying to impress her as shes falling behind as you promise just 1 more round.


[/ QUOTE ]

I always find this hilarious at Canterbury. The last time I was there, a guy at my table got ID'd for an alcohol purchase and had an out of state license. The waitress asks him, oh what are you doing around here. Ridiculously hott gf behind him pipes up, "He's visiting me".

The type of guy that would spend part of his time visiting his gf with her sitting behind him at a poker table really has his values screwed up.

[/ QUOTE ]

And you didn't chat HER up either, did ya?

[TheMetetron]

You do sound pretty bitter to be honest. Let people have their damn fun. That said, I am a pro and I have done the following things on your list.

[ QUOTE ]
You are most likely a wannabe dork if you ever...

-Wore your sunglasses/mp3 player/all in WPT shirt at the 2/4 through 6/12 table.

-You use a board name other then your real first name and last initial. (example: Kid Poker, Rocket Fuel, KGB, Mike McD, Texas Dolly, etc.)

-Youve ever muttered the line "I knew you had that."

-You Dont Tip the dealers (depends here, all the time or on the times they really don't deserve it?).

-Youve said "I was Suited." or "I Knew you had Aces."

-You call time or take longer then 10 seconds to make a decision at blue chip poker.

-You ever say the words "I had/have pot odds."

[/ QUOTE ]

I'll explain any of them if you care.

[wegs the wegs]

[ QUOTE ]
-Youve made the claim that you cant win at your local cardroom because you are a "no limit player".

[/ QUOTE ]

This is the only one that I could be guilty of. But I am a no limit player. But I have only played No Limit at the card room. But I have won. But I do not play limit... at all. If I did I'm sure I would suck at it, which is why I don't play it. I just don't get limit poker.

Anyways, in your opinion would I be guilty of this one? I'm a bit concerned cuz its the only one I'm even close to crossing the line in.

[TheMetetron]

I don't get the whole "I don't understand limit/no limit" argument. If you really are as good at one as you say you are, you really shouldn't have a hard time adjusting to the other. I almost never play No Limit, but I feel comfortable enough with my limit game up to $40/80 that I really have never had a problem holding my own up to $5/10 NL. I'm sure I'm not playing optimal NL poker as I've never studied the game in as much depth as I have limit, but I'm sure I'm a winner in those games I have played.

I've also never studied Omaha, O/8, Stud or Stud/8, but I get the basic principles enough to be able to construct basic playing styles that are winning.

Poker games are all very similiar in nature that while you may not be an expert at all forms, you should be able to hold your own against low to mid limit players.

[MEbenhoe]

[ QUOTE ]
[ QUOTE ]
I dont play that much live poker but....

You should embrace these guys. Neon flashing signs that say I'm a fish are good in my opinion.

[ QUOTE ]

-You bring your girlfriend in to the card room and have her sit behind you for hours as you play your blue chip game trying to impress her as shes falling behind as you promise just 1 more round.


[/ QUOTE ]

I always find this hilarious at Canterbury. The last time I was there, a guy at my table got ID'd for an alcohol purchase and had an out of state license. The waitress asks him, oh what are you doing around here. Ridiculously hott gf behind him pipes up, "He's visiting me".

The type of guy that would spend part of his time visiting his gf with her sitting behind him at a poker table really has his values screwed up.

[/ QUOTE ]

And you didn't chat HER up either, did ya?

[/ QUOTE ]

Had you not pussed out and showed up 4 hours late that night you woulda known that I clearly hit on this girl while at the table and that she even offered to share her dinner with me. /images/graemlins/grin.gif

[chiachu]

ill admit i started playing poker after watching the WSOP about 3 years ago. Im guilty of the following:


[ QUOTE ]

-Wore your sunglasses/mp3 player/all in WPT shirt at the 2/4 through 6/12 table.


[/ QUOTE ]
well just the ipod part


[ QUOTE ]

-You call time or take longer then 10 seconds to make a decision at blue chip poker.


[/ QUOTE ]
i occassionally call time to think about a decision, although im not sure if it take as much as 10 seconds.


[ QUOTE ]

-You have ever stared anyone down preflop looking for a tell after they have called the 2 dollar bet.


[/ QUOTE ]
i wouldnt consider it a stare down, but i do glance at them for a second when the flops comes down to see if there are any very blatant tells comming from there direction (only when its heads up though).

[Stellastarr]

[ QUOTE ]
I hate for my first post to be a negative one but this sudden boom in poker facination over the last 2 years is great but it has unleashed a whole new crop of wannabe pros who think that if they watch ESPN, buy Supersystem, and know all of the key lines from Rounders, and you are instantly a pro. So being as I have been playing for the last 8 years and have been in the business for the last 6 years. I want to offer a checklist for players so you can know for yourself if you are one of these wannabe dorks who will end up living at your moms house rekindling all your bad beat stories to people in the party poker play money room. So here we go.

You are most likely a wannabe dork if you ever...

-Wore your sunglasses/mp3 player/all in WPT shirt at the 2/4 through 6/12 table.

-Can play both parts of Mike Mcdermit and KGB from Rounders verbatum and have used them at your table.

-You use a board name other then your real first name and last initial. (example: Kid Poker, Rocket Fuel, KGB, Mike McD, Texas Dolly, etc.)

-Youve ever muttered the line "I knew you had that."

-You Dont Tip the dealers.

-Youve said "I was Suited." or "I Knew you had Aces."

-Youve made the claim that you cant win at your local cardroom because you are a "no limit player".

-You call time or take longer then 10 seconds to make a decision at blue chip poker.

-You have ever stared anyone down preflop looking for a tell after they have called the 2 dollar bet.

-You say at anytime to anyone that will listen at your table that you are a pro and everyone else is stupid.

-You ever say the words "I had/have pot odds."

-You bring your girlfriend in to the card room and have her sit behind you for hours as you play your blue chip game trying to impress her as shes falling behind as you promise just 1 more round.

I hope this has been enlighting for you all and if you qualify as a wannabe pro, then dont quit playing but just shut up and learn this game. Remember the best players dont care what people think of them or their image.



Raiter

[/ QUOTE ]

Do you deal at canterbury? /images/graemlins/grin.gif

[bernie]

That was some funny sh*t.

A few made me laugh pretty good. Especially since I got to see a couple just tonight. heh heh

b

[michaliv]

I love these people at the table (especially the ones with the girlfriends). They bluff way too many of their chips off in a 3/6 game. They never seem to realize that they haven't had a successful bluff yet. It is wonderful. I say make these guys feel as comfortable as possible. You want to keep these guys around for a while. Make him feel like he is the coolest kid at the table and he will never know you have been taking all of his money.

[sfer]

[ QUOTE ]
Remember the best players dont care what people think of them or their image.

[/ QUOTE ]

This is just flat out wrong.

[pipster]

Funny you say that about chatting HER up... I ran over a guy at the Excal last time I was in Vegas and took him for his entire $200 stack in about 45 mins at limit... the whole time chatting up his GF while he was showing her his cards every hand (and she was giving it away). Everytime he would bluff she would grimace... and everytime he had a hand she would lean forward like she was excited by the money he was making.

Funniest thing ever... and the GF was super-hot and very chatting to me as well...

[PokerBob]

Hi Raiter. Welcome. I think I know who you are. I use PBob as my board name, cuz, well, my friends call me PBob. I know one dealer (I think it was Jacob) was talking about how much he hates it. I was at the table, but didn't know it was me. It made me giggle. On the validity of iPod's, see here. (http://forumserver.twoplustwo.com/showthreaded.php?Cat=&Number=2892421&page=&view=&s b=5&o=) I used to feel as you did, but I could take it no more.

[Al_Capone_Junior]

how about...

if you've ever called for "time" in 2-4 while UTG preflop and taken a full minute to make up your mind, then you folded.

al

[steamboatin]

Did you get to eat a box lunch down at the "Y"?

[Mackie]

Without question the most disturbing trend in the last 2 years I've seen at Canterbury is the young guys who have their bored out of their minds hot young girlfriends in tow. They may provide something for the rest of us to look at, but frankly if there was ever an argument to be made that hold'em is a dangerously addictive game, this is it.

I am guilty of: sometimes playing 6-12 with my poker glasses on. But never in a blue chip game. Even in the yellow chip games I don't always wear them. I don't blame ANYONE for wearing headphones at ANY limit, however.

[Ilovephysics]

[ QUOTE ]

Without question the most disturbing trend in the last 2 years I've seen at Canterbury is the young guys who have their bored out of their minds hot young girlfriends in tow. They may provide something for the rest of us to look at, but frankly if there was ever an argument to be made that hold'em is a dangerously addictive game, this is it.

I am guilty of: sometimes playing 6-12 with my poker glasses on. But never in a blue chip game. Even in the yellow chip games I don't always wear them. I don't blame ANYONE for wearing headphones at ANY limit, however.

[/ QUOTE ]

The really terrible part is that the GFs are probably have more potential to be better players, too... heck, for $100 more, have her sit down and play Lee Jones style... I'm guessing she walks away up $100 in an hour, and gets a minimum of 2 free drink offers if she's at a different table.

[TM1212]

[ QUOTE ]
I hate for my first post to be a negative one but this sudden boom in poker facination over the last 2 years is great but it has unleashed a whole new crop of wannabe pros who think that if they watch ESPN, buy Supersystem, and know all of the key lines from Rounders, and you are instantly a pro. So being as I have been playing for the last 8 years and have been in the business for the last 6 years I want to offer a checklist for players so you can know for yourself if you are one of these wannabe dorks who will end up living at your moms house rekindling all your bad beat stories to people in the party poker play money room. So here we go.

You are most likely a wannabe dork if you ever...

-Wore your sunglasses/mp3 player/all in WPT shirt at the 2/4 through 6/12 table.

-Can play both parts of Mike Mcdermit and KGB from Rounders verbatum and have used them at your table.

-You use a board name other then your real first name and last initial. (example: Kid Poker, Rocket Fuel, KGB, Mike McD, Texas Dolly, etc.)

-Youve ever muttered the line "I knew you had that."

-You Dont Tip the dealers.

-Youve said "I was Suited." or "I Knew you had Aces."

-Youve made the claim that you cant win at your local cardroom because you are a "no limit player".

-You call time or take longer then 10 seconds to make a decision at blue chip poker.

-You have ever stared anyone down preflop looking for a tell after they have called the 2 dollar bet.

-You say at anytime to anyone that will listen at your table that you are a pro and everyone else is stupid.

-You ever say the words "I had/have pot odds."

-You bring your girlfriend in to the card room and have her sit behind you for hours as you play your blue chip game trying to impress her as shes falling behind as you promise just 1 more round.

I hope this has been enlighting for you all and if you qualify as a wannabe pro, then dont quit playing but just shut up and learn this game. Remember the best players dont care what people think of them or their image.



Raiter

[/ QUOTE ]

The only prob with this is the last line. many pros create an image of a drunk, or a dork...or something else to benefit there game.

also for a first post you have repeated things that have been said at least a million times all over this forum, to insult many newbies to the game.

However this should be cross post at the wpt forum as many of the "wannabes" lurk there and only there.

One last thing...i hope you dont treat these players like this when you play against them. I hate to see an experienced player insult a fish in a ring game for wearing sunglasses, an allin t-shirt, and repeating the “i cant remember quote” from rounders every time a 2dollar pot is folded to him. Simply laugh with them keep them around till all there moneys gone. then when there leaving tell them that was bad luck, and next time they’ll do much better.

Don’t tap on the glass!

[TM1212]

[ QUOTE ]
I don't get the whole "I don't understand limit/no limit" argument. If you really are as good at one as you say you are, you really shouldn't have a hard time adjusting to the other. I almost never play No Limit, but I feel comfortable enough with my limit game up to $40/80 that I really have never had a problem holding my own up to $5/10 NL. I'm sure I'm not playing optimal NL poker as I've never studied the game in as much depth as I have limit, but I'm sure I'm a winner in those games I have played.

I've also never studied Omaha, O/8, Stud or Stud/8, but I get the basic principles enough to be able to construct basic playing styles that are winning.

Poker games are all very similar in nature that while you may not be an expert at all forms, you should be able to hold your own against low to mid limit players.

[/ QUOTE ]

these two games are very different in nature, a profitable move at one could be a disaster at the other. there aren’t many player who are great at both limit and nl... but with the play at card rooms today, both are very easily beaten so i assume most nl players could pick up limit and vis-versa, and eventually be a winning player. (after understanding the adjustments)

[Mike Gallo]

Raiter,

Fantastic first post.

Welcome aboard.

[captswifty]

[ QUOTE ]
[ QUOTE ]
[ QUOTE ]
I dont play that much live poker but....

You should embrace these guys. Neon flashing signs that say I'm a fish are good in my opinion.

[ QUOTE ]

-You bring your girlfriend in to the card room and have her sit behind you for hours as you play your blue chip game trying to impress her as shes falling behind as you promise just 1 more round.


[/ QUOTE ]

I always find this hilarious at Canterbury. The last time I was there, a guy at my table got ID'd for an alcohol purchase and had an out of state license. The waitress asks him, oh what are you doing around here. Ridiculously hott gf behind him pipes up, "He's visiting me".

The type of guy that would spend part of his time visiting his gf with her sitting behind him at a poker table really has his values screwed up.

[/ QUOTE ]

And you didn't chat HER up either, did ya?

[/ QUOTE ]

Had you not pussed out and showed up 4 hours late that night you woulda known that I clearly hit on this girl while at the table and that she even offered to share her dinner with me. /images/graemlins/grin.gif

[/ QUOTE ]

But did she leave with you and not him?

[ckmo]

[ QUOTE ]
Wore your sunglasses/mp3 player/all in WPT shirt at the 2/4 through 6/12 table.

[/ QUOTE ]

is this an all or nothing statement or say if he just had an mp3 player....just trying to figure out if the old retired guy i played 4/8 with at Bellagio was a wannabe by your standards since he had headphones of some sort. I think he was just listening to a Harry Potter book on tape tho.

[CPSUpoker]

Does it count if I went to the casino with my girlfriend and she busted out on blackjack THEN came and sat behind me?

(ps. I tried to get her to take more money and play BJ, but she refuseddddd)

[JihadOnTheRiver]

[ QUOTE ]

-You bring your girlfriend in to the card room and have her sit behind you for hours as you play your blue chip game trying to impress her as shes falling behind as you promise just 1 more round.

[/ QUOTE ]

Does 'poker-head' count?

At least money is involved. Around here there are free tournements at some local establishments. Mind you there is no money or prizes involved (its against state law) only league points. Its fun and good risk free practice.

I've seen several guys, mostly young teenagers, show up in with the full gear. Sunglasses, headphones, even hooded sweatshirts (i.e. unabomber). They sit at the table and show off their latest chip trick and talk the big talk. Then they bust out becasue they go all in with 2 7 off suit in early position because as one kid said "thats what Gus would do".

Now thats a wanna be!

[MrDannimal]

Let's see, I've had a noise-generating device I listened to once (and then got told I couldn't use it. Crap.) just to follow baseball games in between hands.

The only time I wore sunglasses in a poker room, I forgot to leave them in my car. I had them around my neck (lenses on the back of my neck) so I wouldn't forget/lose them.

I occasionally wear my PartyPoker shirt, because people will either over-respect if (if they'reonline ignorant) or think I'm an internet clown (if they're savvy but hold Party players in low esteem). Either way, I can exploit them.

I only call time to let the dealer know that I know the action is on me. I may have taken longer than 10 seconds a few times, but not often. I'm sorry.

I've said "I was suited", but I did it to re-enforce the notion I was a fish after completing the family pot on the button with 53s and ending up with a straight-flush wheel. Again, I'm sorry.

[TheCroShow]

lol what's wrong with listening to an mp3/cd player? i listen to my mp3 player once i get bored. i play mostly 2/4 and my mp3 player helps me focus, music relaxes me. i'm not trying to get an edge, it's just that sometimes my concentration wanders and listening to music helps a lot!

what's wrong with reciting rounders lines? if i'm playing 2/4, i have to lighten up the mood if the table gets too quiet. i get a kick when ppl act all serious and quiet at the table, funny lines from rounders or table chatter lightens the mood...a happy table can become a live table! xD

[M2d]

[ QUOTE ]
Then they bust out becasue they go all in with 2 7 off suit in early position because as one kid said "thats what Gus would do"

[/ QUOTE ]
given the buy in and prize pool, I'm guessing that Gus would push it all in with any two just to get it over with quickly. he got debts to pay back. /images/graemlins/smile.gif

[M2d]

what if I did some of these things before the WPT/Rounders?

also, what about if I read at the table? does the author matter? Is Ibsen more wannabe-ish than Hugo?

[SpaceAce]

[ QUOTE ]
[ QUOTE ]
Remember the best players dont care what people think of them or their image.

[/ QUOTE ]

This is just flat out wrong.

[/ QUOTE ]

Along with most of the "advice" and "clues" in the original post. It was striving to be funny but mostly it was just dumb.

SpaceAce

[wontons]

to the orginal poster...You are talking about 2-4 to 6-12 limit games calling time? You've been in the game for how many years and are making references to poker newbies that think their pro's in these games and its annoying you? Are you sitting at there table? I sat at these tables when I was 18 in turning stone and haven't played in them after my teenage years. As long as there not in your usual game which I hope is higher thatn 2-4 I don't see why you should be bitching.

[tek]

[ QUOTE ]
I don't get the whole "I don't understand limit/no limit" argument. If you really are as good at one as you say you are, you really shouldn't have a hard time adjusting to the other. I almost never play No Limit, but I feel comfortable enough with my limit game up to $40/80 that I really have never had a problem holding my own up to $5/10 NL. I'm sure I'm not playing optimal NL poker as I've never studied the game in as much depth as I have limit, but I'm sure I'm a winner in those games I have played.

I've also never studied Omaha, O/8, Stud or Stud/8, but I get the basic principles enough to be able to construct basic playing styles that are winning.

Poker games are all very similiar in nature that while you may not be an expert at all forms, you should be able to hold your own against low to mid limit players.

[/ QUOTE ]

There's a slew of good limit players at Canterbury who get mowed down in the NL tourny's...

Limit and NL are different. Ring and tourny's are different. B&M and online are different.

[flecks]

I was playing at the Wynn earlier this week and some girl had her boytoy sitting behind her. No, he wasn't offering advice. Just a tool. Her tool.

[hotcookie42]

I have many problems with this post. First of all, if you are a pro I'm not sure why you're concerned with the goings-on at the blue chip tables. Second, if one of these players did show up in your (presumably) higher limit game, you should be thanking your lucky stars, not rolling your eyes at his impressions from Rounders. And third, those of us who do play in blue chip games (rather than sit behind our hot boyfriends for hours) deserve as much time to make a decision as those playing higher. I'm sorry if a $50 pot bores you, but it's still real money to some of us. That's why we're playing at these limits and not moving up to face tougher competition, such as yourself of course.

[sully4321]

[ QUOTE ]
I have many problems with this post. First of all, if you are a pro I'm not sure why you're concerned with the goings-on at the blue chip tables. Second, if one of these players did show up in your (presumably) higher limit game, you should be thanking your lucky stars, not rolling your eyes at his impressions from Rounders. And third, those of us who do play in blue chip games (rather than sit behind our hot boyfriends for hours) deserve as much time to make a decision as those playing higher. I'm sorry if a $50 pot bores you, but it's still real money to some of us. That's why we're playing at these limits and not moving up to face tougher competition, such as yourself of course.

[/ QUOTE ]

zing!

[Jeebus]

My Gf sits behind me on occaisonal trips to Caesars. then she chats it up with everyone at the table and keeps them from paying attention to me. she does it to try to learn alittle from me before investing 300 in a game that she can't beat.
plus i don't have to pay for massages.