Table Image

In a mid-stakes (ie-> 5-10 limit) B&M full game (with a loose table), assuming you are playing tight-aggressive, which is the most effective table image for carrying out your gameplan?

I've tried out loose-agressive images, and I've also tried out loose-passive images. I'm still trying to find out which one works the best for me. I haven't tried out a taggy image yet though, since I don't really see the point of scaring calling stations away.

Also, what do the rest of you do for your table image?
For example, for loose-passive I'll wear jogging pants or baggy old jeans, an oversized beer-promo shirt, and some running shoes (maybe with one of the shoes laces untied).
For a laggy image, I like to to once again wear some gym-shoes, but this time, I'll also wear some ripped jeans and a heavy-metal shirt.

I haven't paid attention to table image. To be honest, I don't think most players at that limit, especially if they are playing poorly, will notice how you are dressed or how you carry yourself. I just do my best to look as bored as possible, not saying a word, hoping the table just ignores me.

Unfortunately, sometimes the dealer will mention something to me about how bored I look, calling the tables attention to me. That really pisses me off, and I make it a point to not tip that dealer. Ok, so it's only happened twice, but still... I don't like people talking to me.

[Tailgunner]

The best image is flexible and unpredictable. If you project one image all the time, you're gonna get killed. Probably doesn't matter much at low limits, but you don't want to get in bad habits. It's a situational game, and you should be constantly adapting. Be aware of how the table is playing against you, and adjust as necessary.. your image will take care of itself.

[bernie]

Easy. I don't worry about my table image unless I'm not getting much action on my good hands.

Many make the mistake of projecting what 'they' thinkis their table image. The table will tell you with the action it gives you how to adjust for it.

Why blow chips trying to make an image when you usually don't have to. I'm saying this being known as one of the tightest players in my game in a game that I play with many of the same people. Yet I still get tons of action.

b

[bernie]

[ QUOTE ]
I don't like people talking to me.


[/ QUOTE ]

This can possibly have the effect of hurting your winrate.

b

[vexvelour]

Show up naked, they won't know what to think.

[smoore]

[ QUOTE ]
Show up naked with a "beer helmet", they won't know what to think.

[/ QUOTE ]

[Tailgunner]

[ QUOTE ]
Show up naked, they won't know what to think.

[/ QUOTE ]

Yeah, but then they can all see when I'm holding the nuts.

[ QUOTE ]
[ QUOTE ]
Show up naked, they won't know what to think.

[/ QUOTE ]

Yeah, but then they can all see when I'm holding the nuts.

[/ QUOTE ]

my sides are splitting with laughter heh

[ QUOTE ]
[ QUOTE ]
I don't like people talking to me.


[/ QUOTE ]

This can possibly have the effect of hurting your winrate.


How so? I don't want anybody getting any reads on me or my hand, so I just stay as silent, and bored-looking as possible. I'd rather the rest of the table talk amongst themselves, while I quietly take their money.

Granted, I don't get a chance to play in a casino often. The nearest one is over 3 hours away. But when I do, I don't go to lose my concentration trying to make phony conversation to people whose money I am trying to take.

[OrangeKing]

[ QUOTE ]
[ QUOTE ]
[ QUOTE ]
I don't like people talking to me.


[/ QUOTE ]

This can possibly have the effect of hurting your winrate.


How so? I don't want anybody getting any reads on me or my hand, so I just stay as silent, and bored-looking as possible. I'd rather the rest of the table talk amongst themselves, while I quietly take their money.

Granted, I don't get a chance to play in a casino often. The nearest one is over 3 hours away. But when I do, I don't go to lose my concentration trying to make phony conversation to people whose money I am trying to take.

[/ QUOTE ]

Sometimes when people are friendly with you, they'll loosen up their play as well. If you're not talking to them at all, they will often tighten up a bit in pots with you, or at the very least, pay more attention to your play than normal. You want to promote a loose table, so having the rest of the table chatting and laughing is +EV. /images/graemlins/smile.gif

[ QUOTE ]
[ QUOTE ]
[ QUOTE ]
[ QUOTE ]
I don't like people talking to me.


[/ QUOTE ]

This can possibly have the effect of hurting your winrate.


How so? I don't want anybody getting any reads on me or my hand, so I just stay as silent, and bored-looking as possible. I'd rather the rest of the table talk amongst themselves, while I quietly take their money.

Granted, I don't get a chance to play in a casino often. The nearest one is over 3 hours away. But when I do, I don't go to lose my concentration trying to make phony conversation to people whose money I am trying to take.

[/ QUOTE ]

Sometimes when people are friendly with you, they'll loosen up their play as well. If you're not talking to them at all, they will often tighten up a bit in pots with you, or at the very least, pay more attention to your play than normal. You want to promote a loose table, so having the rest of the table chatting and laughing is +EV. /images/graemlins/smile.gif

[/ QUOTE ]

I guess my problem is I have trouble communicating with people naturally. Whenver I try, it is very forced, and I have to actually put effort and concentration into it. I'd rather kinda hide in the corner and try not to call attention to myself.

If people see that you are very serious, they will often take how you play the game more seriously. They will think more when you are in a hand. You dont want that.

[hoopsie44]

Dude, just play your cards. Most people at a 5-10 table are oblivious. You're giving way too much credit to the average small/mid limit hold'em player.

[davet]

Table image means nothing at the lower limits.

I have watched people blow off 25 or more big bets in twenty minutes trying to project this image. At the end they still continued to lose.

Anyway, the only table image thing I do is post my blind right away, and refuse to buy in unless I have my chips, even if it means giving up OOB. Even bad players know that this is not proper play. So, for one hand I can project a stupid image and run over the table. Though this doesn't work all the time, it is very profitable when it does.

Otherwise, I talk and joke, have a good time. The image you want is to be someone who the other players don't mind loosing to, ie. you just so happen to be lucky today, not one that they resent you for out- classing them.

[bolgenmod]

I agree that most people don't pay attention to table image. And that a "serious" image can get other players to play better against you. But I also love what Ciaffone (and others) say about table image: most of the time, it is created for you based on what your cards are. If you start a session with a couple of good hands, they might think you are loose and gambling.

For example, I once got JJ in my very first hand, raised, flopped a set, played aggressive, everyone folded on the turn. Next hand I get AK suited, raise, again flop a good hand (2 pair), again win without showdown. Two hands later, I get AA, and boy did I get action on that hand! On the river, my sole opponent said he "had" to see my hand -- I must be bluffing, he said. Nice pot for me!

More usual, of course, is that you get crap for the first 2 orbits, and so seem uber-tight. Which can be nice for a steal if you and they both miss the flop.

The point is, don't work to create an image, but try to realize and take advantage of what your image might be based on your play at the time. And try to keep in mind that probably half the table is not paying enough attention to care.

And try to work on your social skills -- as others have said it's definitely +EV. More than once, I've had players with whom I've been friendly chatting tell me in a heads-up river that they wouldn't reraise me again because they didn't want to take any more of my money! And sure enough, they showed down the nuts (whereas I had been raising with a 2nd or 3rd nut hand!). Saved me a bit indeed!

I usually just go with the flow of the table. If everyone's chatty and nice, then I partake in some of the conversation. However I never discuss play or what I held on previous hands because free information is not what I like to give.

During hands I don't say anything, I just stare at a random place on the table.