Do Handles Have An Effect On EV?

Would it change the way people play against me online if I changed my handle?

Right now I play as 'Blue8', figuring it's best to have an easily forgetable name that doesn't draw attention. I'm very much a TAG so I suppose I don't want people noticing how tight I am.

Would it be better to have an annoying or funny name? HotPants? ThaDonater? TeddyKGB6? A girl's name?

[nomadtla]

The way I see it a persons handle is looked at this way by these particular players.

Donks : "thats a funny name, Ohhh look I have poket 2's PRETTY" but they don't really adjust their style cause they haven't really thought about their style anyways

Solid players: "thats a funny name, but I'll let their play speak for itself" pay attention to how you play so your name means little to them except as a way to identify you.

Wannabee's & Table Coaches : "Their name tells me they're a girl/fish/rounders fan, they can't be as good as me" This might be the one group where your handle may have a slight effect. But they're allways gonna think they're better then everyone who sit's down so I don't know that it helps that much.
I think the non-descript handle is the best because the donks are less likely to see your name and think "ohhh wait this guys taken money from me plenty of times" if they don't remember it, solids keep notes and/or use PT so they'll know your name anyways, and TC's are what they are.

I like having a name (and if applicable, picture) that is easily recognizable and generally agressive and fear-inspiring. I would like to say it works to my advantage when betting with middle pair and they are folding their middle pair - but then again, I play with donks, so im sure it would be happening anyways.

[bnorthro]

One of my names has "Lucky" in it. It's pretty interesting to see how people always bring it up when I start scooping lots of pots - like "Man, you sure are lucky" or crap like that.

One drawback that I've seen mentioned on here before, in a thread real similar to this, is that unique names are easier to remember. If you have a name like "Lucky13" and you beat someone bad or make a strange play, they may remember and play differently, whereas if your name is akde3845 no one is going to give it a second thought.

[runout_mick]

Most sites my handle is runout_mick, but on one site I decided to use NevRBluF. It seems (without checking stats) that people call a lot more bets from NevRBluF than runout.

This is fine by me. I haven't decided if the handle has anything to do with it, or if this site is just fishier, but I found the results (short term) ineresting.

Thats interesting, because with a strength-showing handle combined with the accumulation of a larger stack while at the table, your image might allow you to semi-bluff people out of pots more frequently.

The only consistent correlation I've found is the more pornographic the handle, the worse the play.

"12InchDck" = usually easy money.

[Warren Whitmore]

Yes it does matter.
If you are a much better that average player you should chose a handle like AAron. If you are a below average player you should chose a name like 8J2biz.

This is because good players track opponants. If you practice game selection well and find a comfortable table it will remain comfortable longer if other strong players recognize your handle as one to avoid. This will change the ratio of people entering the game towards the weaker (none tracking players).

[Roy Munson]

What is pornographic about a 12 inch duck?

[DrawDeadJed]

Duck??

I thought he meant deck.

[Kaeser]

[ QUOTE ]
Yes it does matter.
If you are a much better that average player you should chose a handle like AAron. If you are a below average player you should chose a name like 8J2biz.

This is because good players track opponants. If you practice game selection well and find a comfortable table it will remain comfortable longer if other strong players recognize your handle as one to avoid. This will change the ratio of people entering the game towards the weaker (none tracking players).

[/ QUOTE ]

Maybe I'm missing something your saying, why is AAron easier to track then 8j2biz?

[SavageMiser]

Names don't matter if you're tracking. Joe*que'Blow_____haha is as easy to find as MrX.

If you changed your handle to "PokerBot_9" and always kept the chat window turned OFF, it would have some impact to your EV I'm sure

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