Issue with playing heads-up with a \"poker buddy\". (long)
 

(edit: can a mod please move this to Texas Hold'em forum, i posted wrong place)

I hope I can articulate what I'm trying to say well enough for a good discussion, but I've just finished a long session at the casino so bear with me please! [img]/images/graemlins/smile.gif[/img]

This is the second time this situation has happened to me and I feel as a poker player I've made a very dear mistake while as some what of a friend I didn't let things get out of line.

The first time was when I was playing 30-60 heads up with another online player who I've played over 2000 hands together with and have gotten to know pretty well.

One night we somehow got playing heads-up with each other and I began to chop away at his stack. Eventually I had a good 100-120BB on him. At that point I kind of got the feeling that its really time to stop this match-up since it's getting a little out of hand and he's obviously tilting. Although he was not a close friend, I started to feel a bit uncomfortable with the fact of taking any more money from him. Now I could've easily let him tilt away another 6-7k of his roll but I didn't instead I played some what passive and let him run me over a few pots.

At the time the thoughts in my head were, I can make plenty of money at other games and I really don't want this person to lose any more than they already have. For someone that I've gotten to become some what friends with I saw no benefit of breaking their roll and taking advantage of the fact they were on tilt. Besides I already had a huge win nonetheless.

After a few days after that night I began to doubt myself about my decision and though process regarding this matter. Since although we are poker buddies when we are at the table it's really just about winning chips and winning the most you can as a poker player. As a poker player the decision I made was absolutely terrible since I gave up a very profitable situation.

I vowed to myself if I'm faced with that situation again I will not slow down and take full advantage of playing a weaker opponent than me heads up regardless of the fact of how well I know the person.

Then it happened again at the local casino.

I was playing a person heads up in a nl game, someone that I've gotten to know somewhat on a personal basis. The match was going fine and I felt I had a big edge over this person from previous encounters.

Then came this one pot where there was a big raise on the turn by him and I pushed him all-in with a worse hand and I showed him my hand after he laid down since showed what he is laying down.

After that pot the guy was totally steaming and I could've taken advantage of the situation for another good 2-3k, but again I stopped and hesitated about taking this person's chips. It was kind of the same thought process of the other time this had happened. The guy was obviously steaming and on tilt and was going to throw his money away but I had already won enough that I felt I didn't want it to get out of line with this person.

Is this something that other players have felt as well or am I just being too "nice" about it. When I play people I don't know at all heads-up I have no problem of playing till all the chips are in, but with people that I've gotten to know while playing together I always seem to put the brakes on like this when I can make a good profit.

Should I just forget all this nonsense of a rant that I've posted and be a fierce poker player?

Thoughts please!

Re: Issue with playing heads-up with a \"poker buddy\". (long)
 

they'll take your chips in the reverse situation

everytime

[img]/images/graemlins/cool.gif[/img]

Re: Issue with playing heads-up with a \"poker buddy\". (long)
 

yeah they wont hesitate to take your money

Re: Issue with playing heads-up with a \"poker buddy\". (long)
 

It sounds like your hit and running your friends. [img]/images/graemlins/wink.gif[/img]

Re: Issue with playing heads-up with a \"poker buddy\". (long)
 

I think you're not being 100% honest with yourself. I would suspect that part of the reason you wanted to quit was because you didn't want to risk giving back some of that profit should the cards turn rapidly.
Aside from that, both Barry Greenstein and Phil Ivey have emphasized the important of taking advantage of your opponents when they're playing bad. When you're in a good situation, milk it for all it's worth. This is what really separates the good from the great: the ability to recognize when your game is off and have the discipline to quit, and likewise the killer instinct to recognize when your opponent is off his game and bleed him dry.

Re: Issue with playing heads-up with a \"poker buddy\". (long)
 

[ QUOTE ]
Should I just forget all this nonsense of a rant that I've posted and be a fierce poker player?

[/ QUOTE ]

Yes

Re: Issue with playing heads-up with a \"poker buddy\". (long)
 

no one else can answer this question. you have to live with your feelings and thoughts. doing what makes you the most comfortable with yourself is the most important thing you can do.

Re: Issue with playing heads-up with a \"poker buddy\". (long)
 

This bears repeating.

[ QUOTE ]
no one else can answer this question. you have to live with your feelings and thoughts. doing what makes you the most comfortable with yourself is the most important thing you can do.

[/ QUOTE ]

Re: Issue with playing heads-up with a \"poker buddy\". (long)
 

If you feel bad about beating them you shouldn't play them heads up in the first place.
Hitting and running is not a solution, and I doubt they apreciate the favor you think you are doing for them by quitting after a winning streak.
Your opponents probably view situition differently then you do.
Teach them a lesson about game selection.