Quality of Home Game players in your area?

[Pretzel]

I went to a home game in my area (raleigh, NC) for the first time this weekend. I have played a lot over the past year or so online (usually 2-4 or 3-6) and live at casinos (usually around 5-10) and have found players to be generally pretty bad at these levels. I can usually win by playing straightforward and benefitting from my opponents making bad mistakes.
I was surprised and disappointed to find that the players at this home game (5/10 hold 'em) were MUCH better than I was used to facing. The flop % was probably around 20%. There was a raise preflop almost every hand, with a lot of tricky aggressive raising post flop. Overall I would rate my opponents as solid tight aggresive players.
Is is common to find that home game players are better than your typical casino or online players? Maybe I just got into the wrong home game? Thanks for any responses.

Pretzel

[pauly2x]

It really depends on the game. I've played in home games with very solid players, and also in many home games with completely clueless players. The game I played in tonight, for example, had many players who wouldn't bet garbage hands, but would call you down the whole way with a Q high. Yeah, I didn't get it either.

Many times you'll step into a home game against guys (or gals) that play against each other pretty regularly. Home games tend to form a personality (i.e., very loose 'gambling' game, friendly fun and social game, or deadly serious cash game), and it's important to be able to understand what type of game you're in. For example, in a more serious game, I wouldn't hesitate to slowplay or check-raise, but if you're in a social game, some players would actually get angry (even though it's an important tool for any poker player).

Any game is only as good as it's players. There are plenty of soft games out there if you know how to find them.