Playing tight in a home game

[pokerlover]

Is it wrong to play too tight (casino style poker) in a home game when everybody realizes that you are the only one playing tight even though when you play a hand they still play the same way and are still calling stations. I was wondering if people will feel that I am not there to have a good time (which I am) and think I am too concerned with winning money (which I am though stakes are small 1-3). How should I handle this?


All comments are appreciated.

[eMarkM]

I was in a game like this where I was the only one who'd fold regularly and everytime I'd raise everyone would cry out, "uh oh, look out, he's raising", and then proceed to call, call, call. Naturally, I was the big winner that night even if I didn't understand half the crazy games they were playing because I usually took down the pot whenever I was in. The host started to look disappointed whenever I raised since it meant it was a hand he couldn't play and he was the only one who actually adjusted to my raising by getting out.

Funny, they haven't had a game since then. At least that I know about, so maybe I shouldn't have been so "ruthless". I'm just so used to playing cutthroat online games, it's difficult to adjust to a friendly home game.

[Easy E]

in a loose passive game, if you play better than they do post-flop, you can afford to take more hands deeper into the round.
Plus, you'll avoid the "rock is in" problems that will develop (in the game and in their attitude towards you).
Think about never folding ANY starting hand (or almost none) as long as there is no major pressure. Treat it like a forced blind, or ante, or whatever. It should still pay off for you nightly and long term, without jeapordizing your game's future, and without being too costly.

PS- Did you appreciate the title?

[pokerlover]

That is the obvious solution. However I sometimes can not bring myself to play loose. I need to play more mediocore hands and play extremely well post flop or post 3rd street depending on the game. It's just easier said then done.

Thanks

P.S.-Good Title.....can we re-name you Captain Obvious? /forums/images/icons/wink.gif

[Easy E]

Isn't Captain Obvious already in the comics?

Just lower your standards for starting somewhat, look to get out after the flop/4th if you have crap.

[MRBAA]

Serious poker is a very predatory game. In home games where the stakes are low, the players are friends (or friends of friends) and the goal is to have fun, I do not try to play serious (casino) poker.

First of all, it's not necessary. When everyone else is playing loose, you're getting odds to see flops with a lot more hands. 89 suited in ep, an auto fold in a tight aggressive casino game where there is likely to be a raise behind you and only three or four to see the flop is very playable in a home game where maybe the one guy with 2-7o will fold pre flop and you will be paid off, probably by several players, if you hit.

Second of all, my goal in these games is to have fun not maximize my winnings. In my regular home games, I give very different action to different players. The weakest ones, I actually don't reraise or squeeze. The strongest, I play much harder against.

I'm a winning casino player at $3-6/$5-10, but the game I play there is totally different. I'm trying to get every nickel and give up as little as possible.

[mobes]

sure they haven't had a game since, not one that they invited you too anyway....lol