Putting Fish to the Flame. Harmless fun, or education?

[srm80]

you must NEVER, under any circumstances, "Tap the Glass". This play is -EV IMO. I think everything you say at the poker table has to have some kind of strategic value to it, even it you are carrying on a normal conversation. You must realiza the cause and effect of ALL of your actions at the poker table, and how it will effect the game, your image at the table and how your opponents play. Plus it is never polite to criticize anyone's play IMO. If you want to try to get someone to go on tilt, aim your comments at a solid player, since you are trying to get his money too. You shouldn't be pushing the fish around along with another solid player, you should try to establish dominance over the entire table. If you want to appear friendly, do that, if you want to appear aggressive and mean, do that, but everything you say and do should effect your image at the table and you should try to effect the way your opponents play against you. Poker is war my friend, even at the lowest levels. Notice inthe mob movies, the hitmen are always smiling and friendly, just before they do some guy? That should be you.

i have to agree that if they don't even know how to play it doesn't hurt to rip on them because they think you're kidding. they love it. some of my friends will learn from this, so i keep my mouth shut. but 2 of them think they make good plays calling raises with 62 because they've cracked big hands with it. they think you're talk is anger and they give you more action from it.