Stopping BS at a home game vs table image

Alpha13 · #1 09-08-2005, 07:12 PM

Occasionally I play at this NL home game against some friends of our family. No one knows how to play except me so I am somewhat respected at the table. Something that bothers me however is how people casually share their cards with each other after one of them is out of the hand. Don't read this wrong, no one is blantently cheating and none of these guys are cheaters, but this card sharing does cause some problems for me.

An example was the last game when I raised causing my opponent to fold. It was just down to him and me so I made let everyone know I didn't want them exposing my cards to this guy. Then some drunk guy comes in the room, grabs my cards and says "Damn Alpha nice play with those 8s" I wanted to take back my buiyin and stop immediately but the payout goes 90% to 1st, so I didn't make a fuss.

Would you guys just put up with this BS in order to maintain a friendly table image or would you say something? I know I'm already starting to get on people's bad side so I don't know if I should just chill out or not.

Thanks

pudley4 · #2 09-08-2005, 09:06 PM

If they all suck, why do you care if they see your cards???

Alpha13 · #3 09-08-2005, 10:54 PM

I was thinking that also, but even sucky people can use that extra info to their advantage. Like if it's down to 2 people and you fold to his checkraise all in and show top pair. I'd want him to think (or guess rather) I was bluffing, not that I read him as having me beat with a decent hand and folded.

hackermike · #4 09-08-2005, 10:58 PM

no on likes to play with a jerk or someone that is a "pro." everyone seeing your cards is slightly -EV, but not getting invited back to the juicy game is very -EV. say something if its a big deal, but let the little things go.

bobdibble · #5 09-09-2005, 04:09 AM

I dunno about you, but I play in home games for fun and social interaction. In one of the games I play in, we even *gasp* discuss strategy after the hands or the session sometimes...

Don't be a nit and have fun with your friends. If you wanted to maximize EV, you should probably be multitabling online anyway.

And even if you are trying to maximize EV while you are there, you are better off keeping the atmosphere friendly and playful rather than making the game seem serious. Why make people think they should take the game seriously and start playing better? If the drunk tries to pick up your cards, put them directly into the muck, mix it, and then quack at the drunk. A drunk would probably find much more amusement at being quacked at than being told, "Please don't look at my cards. I want to protect my table image."

Cards is fun.

LImitPlayer · #6 09-09-2005, 09:32 AM

Chill out, home games are for fun and socializing.

If you want to make money, play online or go to a casino.

If I played online like I do in a home game I'd be broke.

eOXevious · #7 09-09-2005, 01:52 PM

I beleive fully in professionalism at home. When I run my own home games, I always make sure play is conducted almost as if it were a casino. I think this makes the game a lot more fun for most players. I think taking a serious table image can make the game more serious, but this might be what bad players are expecting of a smarter player... They are expecting the game to be brought up to a more serious level. I always tell my mom that when I'm playing for money, everyone follows the rules. And if you don't understand why all the rules must be followed, like not showing cards when mucked, floping the flop all at once, making sure raises are doubled, not letting people string bet..... then those players shouldn't be playing.

Most of the time my friends will invite over newer players... who like the game, are pretty good at it, but just don't know how to enforce good rules at their house... they'll ask me sometimes to run their tourneys.

I say be more serious, but be nice about it. You said you have a respected image, well use it to remind players of the rules and the reasons why poker has those rules.