Re: Do you play along to keep the table happy?
 

Everyone will say this stuff is fine and good, but it's not.

Tell them you wan't participate in these silly games for any reason. Tell them that poker is and was meant to be a cutthroat game, and that the reason you play is to take every dollar from everyone else at the table. Plus, giving up 1/8th of a bet is a pretty significant percentage. If you're playing for fun, by all means go ahead and fire the dollar back, but seriously, if you're trying to win money, you can't let this crap continue. If you don't feel comfortable refusing, move to another table and try to pay the rent.

-Michael

Re: Do you play along to keep the table happy?
 

[ QUOTE ]
Everyone will say this stuff is fine and good, but it's not.

Tell them you wan't participate in these silly games for any reason. Tell them that poker is and was meant to be a cutthroat game, and that the reason you play is to take every dollar from everyone else at the table. Plus, giving up 1/8th of a bet is a pretty significant percentage. If you're playing for fun, by all means go ahead and fire the dollar back, but seriously, if you're trying to win money, you can't let this crap continue. If you don't feel comfortable refusing, move to another table and try to pay the rent.

-Michael

[/ QUOTE ]

it seems to me that if youre interested in "winning money" you dont want to tighten up the whole table. a dollar is a TINY price to pay for people to play like idiots.

rj

Re: Do you play along to keep the table happy?
 

[ QUOTE ]
it seems to me that if youre interested in "winning money" you dont want to tighten up the whole table. a dollar is a TINY price to pay for people to play like idiots.

[/ QUOTE ]

Sure, but who goes to casinos for that chummy make-the-loser-feel-better crap? If you need that from your poker game, stay home and play for pennies with your drinking buddies.

That said, I think this situation is either play along or find another table. It probably shouldn't be happening, but it is, so either take advantage or leave it unruined for someone else.

Re: Do you play along to keep the table happy?
 

One time I sat down at a table and four of the guys were playing a game called Dueces. Each of them had claimed one of the 2's and anytime their card came up, the others had to throw him a buck. They got super into it and it was hilarious to watch them talking sh1t about the stupid game. I think a couple of them were more into that than the actual poker.

I definitly would have joined if had I been offered; however, all of the dueces were taken.

Re: Do you play along to keep the table happy?
 

[ QUOTE ]
a dollar is a TINY price to pay for people to play like idiots.


[/ QUOTE ]

in a 30/60 game, yes. in a 4/8 game, no. and it's not close.

Re: Do you play along to keep the table happy?
 

I guess you are not a fan of drink pots either.

Re: Do you play along to keep the table happy?
 

[ QUOTE ]

in a 30/60 game, yes. in a 4/8 game, no. and it's not close.

[/ QUOTE ]

1/4 of a big blind is a huge deal? Well, if you say so...

More importantly though, he's not giving away free dollars! If everyone at the table is doing this, then his EV should be right around 0. So, basicly, he's giving up close nothing and is definitly gaining something in return. I can't believe people have a problem with this.

Re: Do you play along to keep the table happy?
 

[ QUOTE ]
[ QUOTE ]
a dollar is a TINY price to pay for people to play like idiots.


[/ QUOTE ]

in a 30/60 game, yes. in a 4/8 game, no. and it's not close.

[/ QUOTE ]

if you believe that paying a dollar when you win a pot with a showdown is not worth the price to keep the table happy, you are a nit. and it's not close.

Re: Do you play along to keep the table happy?
 

Games like this can be amazingly fun. One of the best games I ever played in had tons of drink pots and even a dinner pot.

It was a 3-6 game and about half of us at the table were all regulars at this cardroom and we all friendly with each other. The other half was people we had never seen before and they were nice enough to drop at least a couple hundred to each of us. We were all running good so decided to do a beer pot (no free drinks at this card room) between the 5 of us whenever the pot got over $50 (which is most of the time).

It was getting to be around dinner time so I just jokingly threw out the idea of a dinner pot if the pot got over $150 (very rare for this to happen at this game). Everyone agreed and what do you know. 2 pots later (after a live straddle and a blind raise) the pot got up to $153. Prime Rib all around. The dinner cost the guy about $90 or so.

Games like this can definetly be very fun even if they aren't always the most profitable. If I just wanted to play for profit I would play online but playing live can be so much more fun if you get a good table full of people looking to have a good time and maybe win a few bucks here and there.