When your friends get mad at you

[2+2 wannabe]

I love this new reply-thingie

microbob is spot on

[ThaHero]

[ QUOTE ]
What do you do when your friends let poker get in the way of your friendship?

[/ QUOTE ]

At least, that's how I think it should read.

I admittedly don't play to my "full ability" when playing friends, because I don't like to see my friends losing lots of money, even if it's to me. I don't like to see them upset, etc. Even though I know I'm a better player than them because I read, play online day and night, etc., doesn't mean I gotta go bust em. Yeah I know the saying goes "If my granny was playing at the table I'd just have to bust her" or whatever. And that's cool for some individuals, but it's not cool to me.

If I'm just at a home game, I'm there to toss back a few beers and hang out with friends, talk trash etc. I treat poker like a video game, Madden or something. Now if we go to the casino and end up at the same table, well it's every man for himself. But at home, I don't mind losing a little EV to keep my friends happy and coming back.

[mlagoo]

i wanted to throw in my two cents because the very opposite thing was happening with my friends and i the other day.

we were playing a mixed game for low stakes compared to what i and another friend play for online... and so myself and the other friend were playing silly. and our other friends there were actually getting mad at us for not playing "for real."

so there is definitely a fine line there you have to tread. i agree with those people that said its cool to just get drunk and play silly with friends... but sometimes they are "insulted" by it. so somehow youve got to do it without letting on =/ it's kind of difficult, actually.