Muck a loser or show for image
 

In a recent trip to a nearby casino, I suffered a streak of bad beats. That's not the point of this though. Most of the players who drew out on me to their miracle 3-outer were generally excited, and didn't hesitate to flip their cards over quickly. I, frustrated, would muck my hand that was the best hand until the river. So here's the question. Should I have been showing down more so that the other players new what kind of cards I play? I think, in hindsight, that mucking so much might have given me the image of a card chaser who kept missing. I also think that this caused my aggressive play in big pots to be less respected, and encourage people to draw out on me. Should I prefer the action image or the tight image? Any thoughts?

Re: Muck a loser or show for image
 

i dont think people thinking you're a card chaser is all bad. who knows if people who play like that even notice what cards your playing. they will give you action and most of the time you will be playing the better hand. even if they think you are tight do you really believe these low limit yeahoos are actually going to lay down. i dont like showing my cards personally unless i drag a pot

Re: Muck a loser or show for image
 

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I also think that this caused my aggressive play in big pots to be less respected, and encourage people to draw out on me.

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If you're a tight player that should be a good thing (at least in the long run). More money in the pots you do win.

Re: Muck a loser or show for image
 

don't show your hand unless you have to. if people start making all their longshots and not-so-longshots and it makes you appear looser or wilder than you are for one session, don't worry about it, adjust to it. pay attention to how other people view you. when you have a loose image, value bet more and bluff much less. a tight image is best for holdem, but that will usually come about naturally from tight play.

Re: Muck a loser or show for image
 

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a tight image is best for holdem, but that will usually come about naturally from tight play.

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I prefer having a loose image, whilst still actually playing tight aggressive poker.

Re: Muck a loser or show for image
 

The less information your opponents have about you, the better.

Re: Muck a loser or show for image
 

It is to your advantage that your opponents do not know what you are playing, especially against these peelers that you play.

Re: Muck a loser or show for image
 

Just a few days ago, this crystalized in my head.

It doesn't matter what your opponents think of your play. It only matters that you know what they think and adjust appropriately.

I never thought of table image in such a concise way.

So, your opponents can think you are tight or loose. They can think you are a quick folder or a card chaser. They can think you are smart or foolish. Let them think whatever they want. Then, use it against them.

Re: Muck a loser or show for image
 

This is:

a) very well said

b) deceivingly simple to apply

c) dangerous

d) effective - perhaps the most important trait that differentiates players like me from players like them.

e) all of the above

Re: Muck a loser or show for image
 

I think you should show about 50% of your marginal hands and a few of the good ones also, that totally miss just to make others think those are the hands you were proud of playing, hopefully this makes them think when calling a raise but a few good hands make the rocks think about calling. Do whatever you think is deceptive of your average play.