Ethics question... fire out that extra raise? (crosspost from SSLHE)

[K C]

It's pretty much a given that anyone who sits at a poker table is going to be subject to whatever happens, in spite of whatever lack of skill they have. Since this is sort of a vote, mine is: I'd clean out my own mother if she sat down in a poker game with me [img]/images/graemlins/smile.gif[/img] I don't think there's anything wrong with that, and in fact, ANYTIME you soft play, it's THIS that may be construed as unethical.

Again, people play poker with the knowledge that they can lose money, by either bad luck, bad skill, or a combination of both. And by virtue of the nature of the game, you're entitled to use whatever skills you possess to win the most money you can.

KC
http://kingcobrapoker.com

[Leo Bello]

Live things gets complicated. Another day, the wife of a friend, sat on our table only to make number and complete our game. Soon, I eliminated the other two from the table and went heads-up agaisnt her. Problem is, she never played unless she had a good hand. So, any steal took her cards down, and whenever she betted I could be sure she had something. I stole half her stack without having to go to a showdown only by bettign heavy and varying the play a little. But I began to feel unconfrotable cause the other two on the table, knew I was just bluffing her out of pots. And she kept asking: how can u be so lucky and get so many good cards. Anyway... I then slowed down, to play only the pots she was willing to play along. I ended up winning but in a harder way, and I felt bad in the end. I would not feat thios online, but seeing her in front of me, with no idea that u can win pots without cards... well... shame me.

[RJT]

The way you played the hand with the lady more or less answers your own question - you did the right thing - for you. Sounds like you know you did the right thing, again for you (not for everyone, there is no absolute right or wrong here).

I think the key to the way you played was that it was only her second hand. You let her off easy - gave her time to do what she came for - entertainment, maybe learn a bit of the game, etc. You could have won more from her that hand and she would have lost her money (assuming she finally did) sooner and a bit more of it to you.

For me, playing at a B & M is not just about the money. If it is ONLY about the money, why not stay home and play? (Disregarding any discussion of where one can make more money.) Don't get me wrong I don't play lightly, but I think I would of done the same. And I am sure by letting her last a bit longer you got some more entertainment for your money.

[RJT]

BTW - I am not a pro by any means, since you asked for "pros" opinions.

[stinkypete]

[ QUOTE ]

Turn comes J. I'm no expert hand reader, but as the woman throws out her $6 bet I know she didn't make any sort of hand. I contemplate raising, but consider that I have to live with myself at night. I call.


[/ QUOTE ]

if she has no clue what she's doing, you obviously can't get a read on her. she'd do the same thing regardless. and since you can't get a read on her, how can you be so sure she has nothing?

[pudley4]

[ QUOTE ]
I was HU against my brother in 2/4 at commerce and on the turn he went all in, I had AK, nothing, but knew i had the best hand, I folded it to him and told him only cus ur my brother (and my ride)... after the game he was like "i outplayed you"... and thats the last time I do that

[/ QUOTE ]

That's stupid, especially considering his "I outplayed you" line. I would have called him instantly and flipped over my cards while saying "nice try fish! I own you!"

It's 10x more fun to bust your brother/buddy than some stranger.

[znup]

It depends. Was she hot?

[alittle]

I think the problem with not raising is that she is 100% guaranteed to lose all of her money and if you don't get it, someone else at the table will. She will probably be fine with losing it and if it all goes to you, then she might get a good story out of it - "I tried to play poker, but there was some young whipper-snapper card sharp at the table that took all my money just like that!"

[ClaytonN]

I would have raised

[jogger08152]

Actually I think it's fair to say that most players try to -avoid- the knowledge that they can (will) lose because of "bad skill."