These are suppose to be "friendly " games

[Raise, Ha!]

I wanted to take a moment to outline a rather disturbing trend I've noticed in the nightly games recently. It seems that there has been more and more the pre-flop overbet of 15x- 20x the BB which simply makes people mad. There are some who swear that this occurs "only" when they are involved in the hand, and by the same bully players. In fact, we've lost players because of this.

Obviously, you can play the game any way you want to, in the game of no limit that is the rule. But as a practical matter over betting pre-flop is often bad strategy and flies in the face of the social get together atmosphere we're trying to cultivate.

I'd like to just go on record by saying that it doesn't go unnoticed and there is a remedy to correct this type of behavior. It involves others fed up with the action to play back at the offending player. Sometimes they will win, sometimes they will not but the free steals could be very costly.


Any thoughts?

[Sick Fish]

First let me say this. We want HoldemFreaks and our games to be a fun place to hang out with and make new friends. We made this forum because we were tired of other drama filled forums that we were members of. I don't want this place to be the same way.

There is no reason to lose valued members because of a few others. If certain members are targeting other certain members repeatedly in a bout of unsportsmanlike like behavior, please let myself or Holdem Freak know. It's fine to play however you want to play, seeing that you're paying for your own buy-in, that is perfectly acceptable. However if it's being done in a such way that you're targeting certain players then please take your buy-ins somewhere else.

[StarlightCoast]

I don't play in these games, so I have no experience in them, but I will pose the possibility. Is it possible that those that are being targeted are the weaker types of players and thus it would make the targetting a justifiable tactic.

Friends getting together and playing poker is all fine and dandy, but at the tables, friendships must be left at the door. The only thing there is competitors. Just a thought I would throw out, and remember, I have not played in these so I have no first hand observations to go on.

[Holdem Freak]

I don't play in these games, so I have no experience in them, but I will pose the possibility. Is it possible that those that are being targeted are the weaker types of players and thus it would make the targetting a justifiable tactic.

Friends getting together and playing poker is all fine and dandy, but at the tables, friendships must be left at the door. The only thing there is competitors. Just a thought I would throw out, and remember, I have not played in these so I have no first hand observations to go on.

I have to say that I agree with StarlightCoast on this. Yes these games are set up to be friendly but people have to realize this is poker. You can ask Sick Fish about how I used to play at league games we used to play together. I had no issues taking someone out. That was the name of the game. When you spot a tighter player, like the one I have turned into, you have to take advantage of that at times. I used that strategy for a long time and will on occasion depending on the table. If someone at your table is using that tactic the answer is simple, just fold and wait too attack with a solid hand and bounce back at them with a considerably larger re-raise. They know you are a tight player to start off with and when you do that to them they will tend to lay off. Hell I have done that with a very weak hand many times just to send a message to villain that I can also play his tactic. I could give a list a mile long of people I have played aggressive towards and we get along just fine off the table. Everyone has their own style and should not be penalized because they do not play like you or anyone else does for that matter.

P.S. I am going to move this to a better location as this is a very good post and want to get more involvement in it.

[Booty]

WOW I just had this discussion with a friend and yes I agree also with Starlight. We are all here for a friendly game of Holdem with friends but we are also here to win. If that wasnt the case then we would all be sitting at these tables till the end of time. I use to get upset with these type and kind of players but we are all friends or suppose to be and if some dont like the way others play and feel victimized then your in the wrong forum.

And just one lasst thing I know a few players that LOVE to take my BB but.......I also know that is their way of saying I LOVE YOU HEHEHE

[Raise, Ha!]

I appreciate the give and take I've seen on this subject thus far. As I said, in the game of NLHE it's perfectly acceptable to overbet your hand any time you wish, I have no problem with it and In the OP I even suggest the appropriate remedy. My comments were more an indictment of bad play rather than a specifc complaint directed towards anyone in particular.

In fact, theres something to be said for the notion that players who percieve that they are being pushed around should in fact play back at the bully player to determine if he/she actually has anything other than chips to fight with.

This is good dialogue.

[desperad0oo7]

I am personally happy to have players overbet consistently preflop. It's a clear losing play and that means I will be gaining value.

However, I find it a little disturbing that an attempt is made to restrict the way people play NLHE. there is a reason this is no limit holdem and if one player is pissing off someone else at the table by his play, then he is doing something right. I think friendship and aggressive play are not at all mutually exclusive. Every and each one have the right to play however they deem fit, even if they target certain players. In a sense, there is no "friendly" poker. it's a competition and that's ok even between friends.

my 2 c

[omahakid]

NLH isnt a friendly game according to david Sklansky, being friendly to someone is just common courtesy, adjusting ones play to apease someone who doesnt like the way you play is bad strategy and goes against the theory of game which is to win the most chips at someone elses expense

[Yoda]

This was something that happened long ago. I dont think we have this problem now. The level of play has increased 10 fold since then and only gettig better. Currently there is a great mix of players loose and tight.

[Holdem Freak]

Thanks Yoda you are surely showing the force :D. Yes this was long ago as can be told by the dates. While I, along with the rest of the staff encourage comments on threads, it is best ifsome things are left to die. That is why this is now closed.