Low Limit table image.

[The Goober]

I like to order a straight shot of whisky and nurse the thing for like an hour. Some people won't notice that its the same shot and assume you must be getting plastered.

Or maybe I just like whisky.

[Al Schoonmaker]

Some people notice, and a few people get uncomfortable about it. I've done it thousands of times, and only once has anyone objected.

The central fact is that LL players are primarily focused on themselves. If they consider others, it is in a social sense. They ask questions such as, "Where are you from?" "Do you play often?"

Many LL games are "cocktail parties with cards."

Regards,

Al

[Al Schoonmaker]

Since I edited SSH, I obviously don't think it's the wrong book for LL players. In fact, I think it's a GREAT book, and its first three months' sales are higher than any poker book in history. It will probably become the best selling poker book of all time.

It has a short chapter on Image. Page 252 states: "For the most part your opponents do not pay attention to your playing tendencies. Even most of those who are vaguely aware usually do not bother to adjust their play."

The material on pages pages 249-251 focuses on actions which will make the game seem too serious or drive people away.

In other words, relax, have fun, make sure everyone has a good time, and don't worry about their ability to read and adjust to you.

Regards,

Al

[ThinkQuick]

I'm going to agree with you here Seeker.

In Edmonton, you will find almost exlusively 3/4 and 4/8 tables. Higher limits exist only on the weekends and there are very few of those.

So there are poker players that do know how to play, and they'll also be sitting with you along with your typical LL players. These people can notice and may adjust to your play, but getting some respect from the better players is definitely advantageous, and can let you alone with the fishies. Even if they or the dealers make a big deal about your tightness (definitely happens), most players won't adjust and it's not too worrisome.

As for the rest of the players, definitely try to be social, it compensates well for tightness in that it somehow makes them totally forget whether you've been playing hands.
When you're asked a question is another opportunity for you to manufacture an image. I have a friend who always says that he had weak draws or misread his cards, so that they'll play at him more. Personally I prefer to either imply that they'll have to 'pay to see', or else I give an answer which makes them feel like their raise or fold or whatever was the correct thing to do. You gotta keep them rollin' on their dumb LL strategy, don't make them think about you.

[rickw]

I agree with the above posters. At the very low limits people don't pay too much attention.

The first time I played B&M, I went to Hollywood Park in Los Angeles and sat down at a 2/4 table. I had mostly memorized the SSH starting hands table and played my preflop cards accordingly. So I folded a lot.

Finally I get pocket 10s late position and raise. I figure that's got to scare people-- but no. I flop a full house, cap the flop, turn and river and collect a 35xBB pot. I was amazed. I had sat there for an hour and only called a few hands and yet I got tons of action when I finally had a monster hand.

The other people at the table were doing crazy things--instead of playing with the $100 in their pocket, they would pull out $20 at a time and end up going "all in" in the middle of a hand repeatedly, etc. For some of them, it was like they were playing blackjack -- announcing "I need a Q for my straight."

After about 3 hours of this, the guy across from me looks at me and says, "hey, maybe I should start playing like you and only bet when I have some real good cards like an ace or something." I mumbled something like "oh, I don't really know how to play; I just haven't played a lot so I'm conservative" and that was that.

So I think the main thing is to not be too intense--that's very offputting. Chat with people, join in the discussion about what everyone's going to do with their share of the casino bad beat jackpot, have fun, have a drink and you'll be fine.

[Dov]

[ QUOTE ]
Even if they or the dealers make a big deal about your tightness (definitely happens), most players won't adjust and it's not too worrisome.

[/ QUOTE ]

Why the hell is a dealer discussing your play? Are they friends of the players too? This sounds very fishy to me.

Dov

[ThinkQuick]

[ QUOTE ]

Why the hell is a dealer discussing your play? Are they friends of the players too? This sounds very fishy to me.

[/ QUOTE ]

It's pretty amazing, and it took me a little bit of time to notice, but almost everyone at the pokerrooms here is a regular. You go to any casino and there are the same guys who you played at the other casinos, last time and the time before and the time before. So the dealers do get to know alot of people and they get pretty chatty (it's actually more fun that way too). Additionally, lots of the dealers play regularly at the casinos they don't work at. I don't know if this is true in other places as well.

Anyways the point is that I have often had dealers comment to me or to others when I'm busy folding all my preflop cards. It ranges from "Ohh, this guy's read the book" to "You're in this one (wink)" and lotsa stuff. I guess the dealers are just chatty, but writing about it is kinda annoying me about the whole thing..

Jonathan

[Red_Eye_Jedi]

[ QUOTE ]

Anyways the point is that I have often had dealers comment to me or to others when I'm busy folding all my preflop cards. It ranges from "Ohh, this guy's read the book" to "You're in this one (wink)" and lotsa stuff. I guess the dealers are just chatty, but writing about it is kinda annoying me about the whole thing..

[/ QUOTE ]

I would be more than annoyed. The dealer is there to deal the cards, not discuss my play with the table.

[ThinkQuick]

[ QUOTE ]
I would be more than annoyed. The dealer is there to deal the cards, not discuss my play with the table.


[/ QUOTE ]

I guess in the spirit of this post, all I can say is 'laugh it off' while you're sitting down there. Do not make a fuss at a low limit table unless an egregious rule violation is being committed with no remedy. In my case, I'm ok to maintain sociability and a good attitude 'cuz its helpful at LL.

[RydenStoompala]

You're worrying about things that just dont matter. Just play the game.