found a fish...how do I reel him in?

[eustace1987]

I sorta accidentally stumbled into a home game where the players simply play to have fun. It's a $10 buy, in no limit, winner take all at end of the night. 6 to 8 players each week. These are all family friends of mine, and they have watched WSOP and Celebrity Poker and decided to play...and got an early christmas present of a table.

My buddy's first time playing poker was 2 weeks ago. He raised EVERY hand (including 2,5 offsuit. The "problem" (or opportunity for me, a small stakes online player who has read a bit) is that he won it all 2 weeks in a row with this play with some unbelievable luck. Last night he only lost 2 hands.

So I'm looking for advice on how to play him best now. Do I tighten up and wait for hands? Or play more loosely since he is playing everything he gets? Do I sit to his left?

Any advice would be most appreciated. Thanks.

[obeythekitten]

if you have to ask for advice for how how to play the "fish"...i'd suggest looking at yourself

[kodonnell]

Two words......"ALL IN"

[pmyers23]

[ QUOTE ]
Two words......"ALL IN"

[/ QUOTE ]

I agree. Ideally you would want him on your right. Be very agressive with him and make him pay dearly for draws. When you have a hand, push hard. That seems to work for me.

[kodonnell]

Really...there are a lot of different opinions about this. The majority of players say to play tight at a loose table and loose at a tight table. However, you will find yourself short stacked if you play tight at a loose table if you do not get cards. My suggestion is just to play your game and take opportunities as they arise. Force your opponents to make bad plays and tough calls. I love it when I reraise an amount where I can see them sweat. If everyone is just tossing the money in the pot, you are making it too easy. I play a regular home game at a loose table and do pretty well waiting for premium hands, but I will also splash around occasionally (about once per round) with suited and/or connected cards. Try stealing pots where there is a scary board (3 suited cards or straight possibilities). Towards the end, I will loosen up a lot and try stealing the bigger blinds. In the past 3 home tournaments, I have won 2 and came in 3rd once with an average of 10 players per tournament.

Good luck

[unloaded]

Your fish seems be getting very lucky. It is bound to turn though. I would suggest playing a cash game. $10-$25 buy-in with $.25/$.50 blinds, no limit. He might still get lucky a few times and even break you, but if you are really a much better player, you can buy back in and win your money back and his.

peace.
unloaded