Helping someone who just doesn't get it

I've been running a NL Holdem tournement for some coworkers for a couple of months now. The level of play varies greatly, but overall people have a good time and have picked up the game quickly.

However, there is one guy who comes to many the games who still doesn't know how to play and needs to be helped along constantly. It was fine the first time, since he had never played before, but now after 4+ tournaments he still tries to check when it's been bet to him - "Can I check here?" "No, the bet is $200 to you", or will muck his cards on the big blind in an unraised pot, or will ask "Can I bet now?" when it's been checked around to him. It's been frustrating a lot of the players because they keep having to hold his hand through the whole tournament. And then he puts everyone on tilt because he gets a monster hand and doesn't even realize it: "I have two pair." "No, you have a full house."

The last tournament, the other players gave him a hard time constantly and it was very distracting for everyone. So my question is... what can you do for someone who just doesn't seem to understand the flow of the game? What can you say to someone to try to get them to pay more attention? He likes playing and isn't going to stop coming, but he is really slowing the game down, almost to the point of keeping some people from coming.

Thanks.

[tubalkain]

And you have only one player who doesn't get it?

If you had five or six of them, I'd understand running a little seminar an hour or so before a tourney, running a quick STT for them and stopping at every step of the way to force them to see the light. But ONE... send him to a casino that runs n00b lessons. Or tempban him for his own good and recommend a few books and a B&M session as a condition of coming back.

[John Bedtelyon]

Stop holding his hand, tell him he has got to start learning what to do or he won't be able to participate.

Plan B, buy him Poker for dummies.

JMB

[Kosstic518]

I think the easiest way would be to tell him to start playing online for play money so that he can get use to a game at somewhat of a decent pace and he will be able to learn the rules at the same time without hampering your tournament or his chances of winning in your tournament.

I feel your pain. Players like that tend to put me on tilt too. I can understand the first or second time. But after that, if he misreads his hand thats his own fault.
On second thought I guess it depends on how serious the game is, and if he is a friend. If its serious, tell him he has to call his own hands and if he folds in the bb, oh well. Thats how I would it. If he was a friend I would be a little more leanient and try to teach him before we played. I like what the other posts reccommend also.

Pretty much, just this one guy. There are others who were new and didn't know what was going on, but they all picked up the flow very quickly. They still just play the cards they have but I don't mind that because they can be bluffed most of the time. /images/graemlins/smile.gif

I tried running a STT with instruction before, but only the more serious players came, the ones who really wanted to improve their game.

I'd send him to a Casino, but there aren't any around here. If there was one I'd be there all the time to play!

That's the worst part about the guy, he puts everyone on tilt, myself included. He's gotten incredibly lucky so far, and knocked out a lot of good players just by hitting long shots. Runner-runner straight, full-house on the river with Kx against AA, that kind of thing. He'll get a massive chip stack early and then blow it calling with King-high against an obvious flush. In the end, though, cards talk and regardless of what he thinks he has if he's got the best hand he wins the pot.

When he mucks his hands out of turn now, the cards are dead -- no special treatment. The game isn't particularly serious, but I try to run it like a real tournament. For example, I've been very strict on string bets: At first everyone would say "I call your 100 and raise you 200" but they picked up really quickly that you can't do that. Overall, I'd say I'm running it as a serious tournament but trying to be accomodating for new players. Most players had never played no-limit the first time we played, but they picked it up quickly.

If he's still holding up the game this week I'll look into setting up a lesson for him and any others who are interested.

Thanks all for the suggestions.

[MrBrightside]

I would say.. tell him to play some free online tourneys.. maybe that would help? I dunno.

[lou9182]

"I think the easiest way would be to tell him to start playing online for play money so that he can get use to a game at somewhat of a decent pace and he will be able to learn the rules at the same time without hampering your tournament or his chances of winning in your tournament. "

I agree 100%. Will cost him nothing to get comfortable with the game.

[John Bedtelyon]

I retract my previous statement that wasn't very helpful, and I think I'll go with play online for play money. /images/graemlins/smile.gif He will get used to the game with no money on the line.

JMB

I think you're right, this is probably the best way to go. I'll suggest it to him after the game tomorrow.

[JonPKibble]

Play money is definitely the way to go. If that doesn't do the trick, try and help him find the local rock-paper-scissors club.

[gobboboy]

Watch out for those Ro-Sham-Pros though.