How to act in a cardroom...not in FAQ.
 

Right now i am basically quiet and emotionless and avoid eye contact (I look at them during my turn but during there turn I stare at the felt) during the hands and pretty quiet but polite when I am not.

I have no problem talking to people but am scared they might find a tell I have one (I don't know if I have them but I usually play online [img]/images/graemlins/blush.gif[/img] so I am not sure).

I guess what I am wondering is can you make more money by talking and seeming like ur just there to have fun then being a statue, and it is worth it to practice being able to go about normal everyday actions tellless?

Re: How to act in a cardroom...not in FAQ.
 

The statue routine is lame and bad for the game. If you're really worried about tells, get Caro's DVD and don't do the stuff he points out people doing.

Re: How to act in a cardroom...not in FAQ.
 

[ QUOTE ]

I guess what I am wondering is can you make more money by talking and seeming like ur just there to have fun then being a statue, and it is worth it to practice being able to go about normal everyday actions tellless?

[/ QUOTE ]


It's definitely +EV to make the game as fun and as interesting as possible. While I'm personally more animated than most (even during those unfortunate sessions like this past weekend when I somehow book a loss) you'll definitely find that most playing live are there to have fun so helping that along not only will amuse yourself ... but also keep people losing at your table.

Plus, it's just good people skills in general.

Barron Vangor Toth
BarronVangorToth.com

Re: How to act in a cardroom...not in FAQ.
 

I play all b&m. Right now 5-10 and sometimes 10-20 if available. Be friendly and nice, this is good for the game and for you. Over half your opponents also play blackjack, roulette, slots, etc. Especially slots, which is not very social.

These people see poker game, people laughing some, etc, it looks more enticing than machines. They brought x-dollars to lose unless they get lucky.

But what you are doing is less harmful than many. I have actually gotten into it with other players, HOT Shots, criticizing and whining incesantly. I like to mind my own business but one guy was being such an ass to a sweet older couple who were having fun, he was drinking she was decked in jewelry, and both were playing every hand.

I didn't challenge to a fight or anything, but when he got on them I got on him,,,dont' be a crybaby,,,surprise, life's not fair, wah wah, etc.

Not only did I genuinely enjoy seeing this older couple out having fun together and like them, but that drives peoople away who don't mind losing, they just wanna win some big pots along the way. I teased the old guy incessantly, mock wailed when he beat me and told him great play.

I think the guy knew what was going on, alot of people do, they just don't care. So, think of yourself as a salesman selling the game of poker. Someone compliments my game, I always tell them i'm just a dumbass who got lucky.

Re: How to act in a cardroom...not in FAQ.
 

I find you can make more money by talking in a game. You can often get tells on your opponents when you are enganging them in conversations. If you are worried about giving away tells, then get caro's book or video. You could even throw in some reverse tells at people.

Re: How to act in a cardroom...not in FAQ.
 

The advice most people have given you is not inconsistent with what you are doing. You can be friendly and chatty and make the game an enjoyable place for recreational players when you are not involved in pot, but stare straight ahead emotionless while you are playing.

Re: How to act in a cardroom...not in FAQ.
 

I doubt you will make any more or less money - but you'll have a ton more fun... and job happiness is very important.

Re: How to act in a cardroom...not in FAQ.
 

[ QUOTE ]
The advice most people have given you is not inconsistent with what you are doing. You can be friendly and chatty and make the game an enjoyable place for recreational players when you are not involved in pot, but stare straight ahead emotionless while you are playing.

[/ QUOTE ]

Exactly what I do, especially when playing NL.

Re: How to act in a cardroom...not in FAQ.
 

Do whatever makes you feel most comfortable and what helps you play better. Don't be rude, but not everybody can be the life of the party.
I also find that when I act friendly others start talking my ear off about the most inane crap, it gets really annoying fast.

Re: How to act in a cardroom...not in FAQ.
 

what i have found out to be a real good while talking it makes it alot easier to play tight because you are cutting the bordum of folding hands bye talking to a guy next to you,being a regular in a cardroom it happens u see the other guys that u respect when they play a hand those are ussually the guys i talk to

GO WHITE SOX

Re: How to act in a cardroom...not in FAQ.
 

[ QUOTE ]
what i have found out to be a real good while talking it makes it alot easier to play tight because you are cutting the bordum of folding hands bye talking to a guy next to you,being a regular in a cardroom it happens u see the other guys that u respect when they play a hand those are ussually the guys i talk to

GO WHITE SOX

[/ QUOTE ]

OK clarification on my origional post. I talk between hands just fine. Just when I am involved I get silent. Is this a problem?

Re: How to act in a cardroom...not in FAQ.
 

[ QUOTE ]
[ QUOTE ]
what i have found out to be a real good while talking it makes it alot easier to play tight because you are cutting the bordum of folding hands bye talking to a guy next to you,being a regular in a cardroom it happens u see the other guys that u respect when they play a hand those are ussually the guys i talk to

GO WHITE SOX

[/ QUOTE ]

OK clarification on my origional post. I talk between hands just fine. Just when I am involved I get silent. Is this a problem?

[/ QUOTE ]

Not a problem. You don't need to talk to anyone while you're in a hand. It would be very bad form for a player out of the hand to try to engage you in conversation, while you're in the hand.

Re: How to act in a cardroom...not in FAQ.
 

[ QUOTE ]
[ QUOTE ]
what i have found out to be a real good while talking it makes it alot easier to play tight because you are cutting the bordum of folding hands bye talking to a guy next to you,being a regular in a cardroom it happens u see the other guys that u respect when they play a hand those are ussually the guys i talk to

GO WHITE SOX

[/ QUOTE ]

OK clarification on my origional post. I talk between hands just fine. Just when I am involved I get silent. Is this a problem?

[/ QUOTE ]

No I would definitely try to avoid talking while you're involved in a hand. If I'm mid conversation and I get involved in a opt (or the person I'm talking to does) then I say "just a second" and resume talking after the hand.

When my girlfriend started playing she got distracted when someone was talking to her during a hand and the dealer ended up mucking her KK just after she put in a raise preflop. I think she learned a lesson from that one since she would have raked a big pot.

Re: How to act in a cardroom...not in FAQ.
 

Do the statue thing in hands and be completely social, jovial or even a little loud when not in a hand. It works great for me. I'm a really talkative person (the term "loudmouth" has been used on more than one occasion) but everyone at the table quickly figures out that I'm just flat NOT going to talk or "emote" while my money is on the line.

This technique did require some practice on my end before I became adept with it... I kept talking during hands, possibly giving information.

edit: I started doing this instead of the perma-statue because people don't like to lose to statues but they don't really mind too much if you say, "WHEW! I wasn't sure if I was good there.... hey waitress, COCKTAILS!", after I drag a pot they fold on the river to me.

Re: How to act in a cardroom...not in FAQ.
 

This is a good player during a hand.
http://www.st-v-sw.net/images/Trek/M...ontact0398.jpg

This is a good player between hands.
http://www.personal.psu.edu/users/s/...s/image002.jpg

Any questions?

Re: How to act in a cardroom...not in FAQ.
 

I think, too, you should act how you are comfortable. If you are uncomfortable chatting and playing at the same time then that might created problems for yourself.