Hit and run!

[Zim]

Hi guys,

I think this has come up a little before, but thought I`d get a fresh round of views concerning the ethics involved.

As some of you know, I`m the new kid here, playing ultra tight, going all-in with the top hands after a pre-flop, mid size bet.

My strategy also involves immediately leaving the table the moment I increase my buy-in by 50%.

I`ve done very well, so far.

Now, as luck would have it...I hit on my first hand. Hot dog! Left the table, but just out of curiosity...I came back to listen to the comments.

There were, as can be expected, some grumblings.

Personally, I don`t see the problem. It is my money to bet as I so chose...ultimately, my objective is to take money from people at the table. It is not to make friends. If I stayed after hitting my hand, my increased bankroll would screw up my strategy.

(Hell, I don`t even know why this is the case...but 1-800G and JDL have both cautioned my on it.)

I`m a foolish player, I don`t have the intelligence or knowledge of this game to play profitably any other way. Furthermore, the longer I stay...the more likely the ploppies will figure out what I`m doing.

Why is it considered unethical to play the best game I possibly can?

Best,
Invader Zim

(Is there a rule somewhere that says if you sit down, you have to stay until you`ve won all the money? Or lost all yours?)

(Oh yes, I`ve decided also...I have no interest in what the others say. Nonetheless, I`m a sensitive guy ... so nasty comments hurt. Can I turn off my chat box, or do I risk missing out on some important info that might help during the game? NL seems to be more emotional than limit.)

[DcifrThs]

[ QUOTE ]
(Oh yes, I`ve decided also...I have no interest in what the others say. Nonetheless, I`m a sensitive guy ... so nasty comments hurt. Can I turn off my chat box, or do I risk missing out on some important info that might help during the game? NL seems to be more emotional than limit.)


[/ QUOTE ]

this paragraph is not a good sign.

you say you're not interested in what they say but that the "nasty comments hurt." that implies you have an interest in what they say and that what they say has the potential to affect how you play.

thats not a good thing.

as for your strategy, there is no rule that says you must stay till you win or lose it all.

you SHOULD be playing as long as you think the edge you have in the game in terms of the amount you'd average per hour or 100 hands or whatever standard makes sitting there worth your while. notice how if the players stay the same (and stay in the same emotional state) you have a likely constant ev that will fluctuate in the short term, but be stable over a long period of time.

that is, if YOU play the same...but you don't...you just try to wait for a hand, play it and be done with it, take your profit and leave.

you must understand that this is fine if BY WINNING THAT FIRST POT, your personal style of play or ability to execute changes and your EV is now lower or negative. that, to me, seems like a problem in and of itself but you don't seem to mind so its ok.

if they say things you don't like and you're fine with how you play then forget them .. what do YOU care!?!?! you just got their money...

but if you'd like to improve your poker game this is not the way to play...in a real game you can't just get up and leave after driving to play if you play your 1st hand and win and then up and go...why even bother going?

but its up to YOU...what do YOU think and feel about it?
-Barron

[Baulucky]

I'd do whatever gives me the biggest legal edge. Yours is legal. Letting get upset by other's comments is a mistake.

[bingledork]

I think your move is fine.
The casinos create this problem by not letting you cash out some of your profits. They are forcing you get up and leave once you win a stack too big for your comfort level.
It's your money. You can leave if you want.

[d'Amphoux]

When I play, I'm shooting to hit my daily "nut". Some days I do, some days I don't. I play PL/NL (or tourneys), so when I do, I might have exceded that goal by a decent amount and want to protect it. I won it, it's my right to do what I want with it.

In most casinos and online rooms, if you leave a game with $X and return to the table within 30 or 60 minutes, depending on their policy, they only allow you to sit back down with a minimum of $X.

However, I still like to play and don't like ending my day right then and there. So as long as I know what this time limit is, I politely explain to the table that "I want to cash some of my money out and I'll be back (after the requisite time). Gonna get a bite to eat. And don't worry, I'll still have a good stack with me," I say in a light hearted tone with a smile. [img]/images/graemlins/wink.gif[/img] I might get a grumble or two, but most players totally understand and welcome you back to the game.

You've played well, you've shown some respect, and you want to keep the game going. Who's gonna object to that? If they do, that's their problem. I don't have to be friends to play poker at the same table with someone, in fact I prefer not to be "too close" to my opponents.

Mike

[Zim]

Its nice to be reassured I`m not breaking any rules.

But some of the points are well taken, there are a lot of barbs thrown so I suppose one just has to develop a thicker skin.

Thanks Barron for pointing out that even if this strategy is profitable at low limits, online...where is it going to lead to?

I guess its back to the books...any reccomendations for the best NL book around?