Low Limit table image.

[TheSeeker03]

I'll be playing at low limit in a casino pretty soon, and from what I read, table image is somewhat important.

At low-limit people are having fun, and if I kill the fun for them by :

- criticizing plays and providing reasons for my own play(how can you call a PF raise with K7o??) or ("well I knew I had to call because I had 7 outs: two overs, inside straight, and a backdoor flush"). With lingo like that, some low limits players will be intimidated.
- appear to take the game seriously, think too long over your move.
- appear too tight

If I do those, people will feel they are being judged, or discover that there is a competition, not just a game. And they will either leave, or start playing better. Because, as one author said, bad players can start playing better at low limit if they try.

The first two points are not my concern, but third is, because I do intend to play tight. I fold small blind often, for example, which can make some people suspicious.

Also, when people ask you why you called or raised, what should you say?

And more generally, should you try to appear an obnoxious clown to encourage everyone to have fun, or be as invisible as possible?

[elwoodblues]

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criticizing plays and providing reasons for my own play

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Why in the world would you do either of those things?

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appear to take the game seriously, think too long over your move

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Most decisions in a limit game can be made quickly. Just call time if you think you will take longer than what seems acceptable (and don't do that too often.) Instead of looking like you know what you're doing, you will probably look like you want to look like you know what you're doing.

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appear too tight

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Nobody will notice and even if they do they won't adjust accordingly.

[Men the Master]

"Also, when people ask you why you called or raised, what should you say?"

My friend Antonio suggests that you should tell them you felt it was the lucky thing to do. Or as an alternative, tell them your ESP powers made you call or raise because you knew what cards were coming. Or you can tell them the last time you got those cards you lost 6 in a row and now you're due to win it because your studies of card distribution patterns indicate so. They'll believe you.

[TripleH68]

Just be yourself. Worrying about table image is a waste of time. The key is to have fun and be sociable while still concetrating on playing the game.

Oh and when people ask why I bet or raise I always say "because I have the best hand."

[deacsoft]

I hope this post is a joke.

[BigBaitsim (milo)]

Don't worry about table image at low limit, they won't notice, or won't care. Just play and have a good time. I raise more than most LL players (big surprise). If they give me a hard time I usually say either, "I thought I had the best hand," or "I had a feeling."

Very rarely a table will notice how tight I am and begin to adjust. When that happens I straddle once or twice and play that hand like a maniac. Since straddles are rare where I play, they suddenly forget I've folded every hand for the last hour and give lots of action. I do this rarely, though as there is usually no need.

[Al Schoonmaker]

You wrote: "from what I read, table image is somewhat important."

You're reading the wrong books. At LL most people pay hardly any attention to your play unless you draw attention to yourself. If you act pleasantly,you can play a tight, straightforward game and kick their butts.

You're right about criticizing other players or explaining your own play. If they ask, say something innocuous such as, "I felt lucky."

Relax, have fun, but play intelligently. That's ALL you have to do.

Regards,

Al

[BigBaitsim (milo)]

Dr. Al is right. In fact, you can brazenly pull note cards out of your shrit pocket right at a LL table, take notes on people and put the cards back in your pocket and nobody will notice or care. Right, Al?

[Cerril]

So when did SSH become the wrong book for low limit play?

Yeah... table image is only important in that you don't want people to feel like they need to play better against you. Basically just be cheerful and try not to project the image that you're taking everything so seriously.

Don't worry too much about appearing too tight though, that will probably pass unnoticed if you don't actually play too tight. And chances are you won't need to worry too much about playing too few hands unless you get really unlucky or the table is full of maniacs (in which case no one will notice)

[PassiveCaller]

most of these people have card tunnel vision. image isn't all that important but far extreme things can be. I remember raising with a 7d3d with some more observant lower limit and that did wonders for their impression of me no matter how long i sat there and folded. the look on their eyes was priceless when i flipped over that monster for the showdown...

On the whole though these people play when they want to play.