Playing against friends

[archcity]

[ QUOTE ]
I hope to god you don't sit there and calculate pot odds and implied odds and [censored] during this game, because it's supposed to be fun.

[/ QUOTE ]

I'll defend the guy on this point, for some people playing good poker is fun. I picked up the game recently and enjoy reading the books and learning to play well. And that includes using those skills in friendly games with my friends. This is largely because this is my only opportunity to play real money games with real people.

On the other hand I don't get upset about bad beats (the original poster states that this isn't what got him upset), or act like I am taking it seriously.

But, leaving a game upset because you're getting made fun of is just plain stupid. That's what friends do, make fun of each other (sounds like these friends finally got the perfect opportunity to give this guy sh** for playing way too seriously). And there is no better way to guarantee being the butt of all jokes for the next year then to do what this guy did.

My advice for his friends. Next time he shows up to the game bring shades and as soon as the first hand is dealt, put them on in unison.

If I were him I would do the same thing, show up to the next game and wear shades, and laugh at yourself for doing it. Shows you know you were taking yourself too seriously and can make fun of yourself.

Two real suggestions:

Take some time to teach your friends to play good poker (if they want to) so you can have some real fun playing competitive poker (if you really don't care about the money).

Play dealers choice games. I find it hard to "turn off" my game during NLHE. I love playing dealers choice every now and again to keep it fun.

My home game is set up as a NLHE tournament, and as soon as four go out a dealers choice table starts.