Reputation in a home game

[Dbldaggers]

I walked in late to a home poker game and sat down. The guy next to me said, "oh so your the local pro."

I said I was not a pro and he said, "Your the one everyone has been talking about and saying to watch out for."

This floored me. I did not know how to respond.

Questions are:

Has this type of situation occured to anyone else?

Knowing what is being said about you, how do you change your style of play or don't change at all?

I also have been told by several friends that their favorite hand is a long shot hand that they beat me on the river with.

Just would like some input on how to handle a reputation and what if anything a person should do to modify it or take advantage of it.

Thanks,
DD

[snowgurts]

It seems like people would be gunning for you. Especially, when you said "I also have been told by several friends that their favorite hand is a long shot hand that they beat me on the river with."

I wouldn't be suprised to see some serious suck-outs and stupid stick-arounds, but if you keep your cool, you'll be making money long term. The fact that people actually want to suck out on you is nearly as good as money in your pocket.

If no one seems to be on the "bust-the-pro" plan, though, you can make some serious killings bluffing on the river. I notice that when I play aggressively (I always change it up, because I'm usually tight-conservative) people will call me on the flop and even turn because they know it's unlikely that I'm holding much, but they just can't bring themselves to call a big bet on the river. Just build the pots up and harvest them. You'll get stung by a suck-out or flat-out superior hand every once in awhile, but for the dead money they're practically giving you, it's worth it.

Just some thoughts. A lot depends on your group of players.

[lou9182]

IMHO, if you have a reputation like that...good for you...you are obviously winning and have other people scared of you....keep up the good work

[roxtar]

If someone said that to me when I sat down I'd reply with "Yup, you're damn right I am and don't you forget it." Then let them proceed to play scared of you and enjoy their money in your pocket.

[sully4321]

in my home game yes. however, it's all relative. i play with a bunch of my friends (teenagers) who consider it something to do to pass the time -- they dont really care if they win or not. i play to win money everytime, and because of how many fish i play with i "win quietly" as they say almost 90% of the time. they have started to notice, however, and i have been having trouble getting games going. some of my best friends have even stopped inviting me to their games. i am flattered, but crestfallen.

[ThinkQuick]

the most important thing is getting invited back

there are games starting up with my friends that I cannot for the life of me get into because of my reputation, and I'm pissed. When I win, it is quietly, but often it's a lot, and some people sincerely think it's to scary to be in a game with me(and at least one friend who is at least as good as me). The two of us really got the ball rolling on poker games in the community, but that's the double edged sword, now we're the guys that know too much about poker and are make the game less enjoyable. It can take a lot of convincing that we make the game run smoother, bet bigger, and people can learn more when we're invited.

[Lottery Larry]

" he said, "Your the one everyone has been talking about and saying to watch out for."....I also have been told by several friends that their favorite hand is a long shot hand that they beat me on the river with."

Sounds like a pretty good rep to have. You should get some respect for your bluffs.

Sounds like a

[Lottery Larry]

Do some training of the less experienced players, help them become better.

[neotope]

The only problem with having a reputation as a good player, if you can call it a problem, is that everyone is gunning for you. I have this happen to me in most home game I play in but it usually works out for me. I'll routinely get one or two players that just have to knock me out. I'll wait till I have a decent hand and they try to get fancy on me. It usually works out for me in the end [img]/images/graemlins/smile.gif[/img]

[Quicksilvre]

And there's the rub with home poker. How old are you exactly, and where are you? You might want to look out for a 18+ casino near you or for an Internet cardroom.