Talking about 2+2 at the table.
 

Somewhat inadvertently, while trying to make pleasant conversation with a good regular at a live poker game the other day who happened to be sitting next to me, I mentioned the 2+2 web site as a great resourse for studying poker. Most of the players didn't notice or care. But a few chimed in and obviously outted themselves as either lurkers or posters at 2+2. And I obviously outted myself as well.

As long as nobody runs around handing out 2+2 fliers to the recreational players who don't study much, is it +EV or -EV to (1) let the regulars who are also 2+2'ers know that you post at 2+2, and (2) as a result, usually find out who else is a 2+2er at the tables.

These live games usually have about 50% regulars. Of those, about half of those regulars (about 25% of the game) are pretty solid most of the time, and few are 2+2ers but I never thought about whether it was worth figuring out which ones they were.

Sup Bro, anyone?

Re: Talking about 2+2 at the table.
 

Loose lips, sink ships.

Re: Talking about 2+2 at the table.
 

I can usually tell with a pretty good certainty which players in a game read books/2+2/etc and which don't in about half an hour at the worst.

At that point I assume they are 2+2 posters/lurkers until proven otherwise.

Re: Talking about 2+2 at the table.
 

This topic has come up a few times in the other forums with respect to online play. Lots of people have argued both sides.

My personal opinion is that it makes almost no difference to mention 2+2 at the table. Those that want to be good at poker and are capable of putting in the time and study necessary either have already found 2+2 or will find it on their own even if you never mention it. Those without the dedication to get good will not do it whether they are aware of 2+2 or not.

Re: Talking about 2+2 at the table.
 

I think it's a mistake to assume everyone on 2+2 is a good player. Yes, this is a great site with lots of great players, but many many people come here and don't understand the concepts and/or don't want to follow them. Just cuz someone says they are "2+2" doesn't mean anything unless their play backs it up.

Re: Talking about 2+2 at the table.
 

I wouldn't want them to know I study/read 2+2... Thats just inviting them to play back at you...

Seriously though, the NL/HE advice on this forum has really declined the past couple years. This isn't the good site it used to be anymore.

In fact, i don't even use this site for advice anymore. I simply use it as a method of reading various amounts of hand histories from players, and figuring out teh correct play for MYSELF.

The hands people post are great, and thought inspiring. But the advice the forum gives, is downright lame...

Re: Talking about 2+2 at the table.
 

Like others, I don't think mention of 2+2 is giving away family secrets. As an example, I primarily lurk here, with only minimal posts. I try to follow the strategy posts and have read some books, but for me, poker is a hobby, not a lifestyle or profession. As Clint Eastwood said, a man's got's to know his limitations - most people lack the dedication, inclination, and patience to really improve their games, even if they're staring the tools in the face.

The biggest risk of people learning of 2+2 is not that they'll improve their game. Rather, after visiting here, the fish may learn how little they actually know, and see the disdain with which they are viewed by hard-core players, and be tempted to take up checkers instead of poker.

Cheers, Carl.

Re: Talking about 2+2 at the table.
 

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I wouldn't want them to know I study/read 2+2... Thats just inviting them to play back at you...


[/ QUOTE ]

why is this bad, unless you are weak tight?

Re: Talking about 2+2 at the table.
 

[ QUOTE ]
[ QUOTE ]
I wouldn't want them to know I study/read 2+2... Thats just inviting them to play back at you...


[/ QUOTE ]

why is this bad, unless you are weak tight?

[/ QUOTE ]

I'm definitely not weak/tight, but most of the advice and players here are nitty.

Whenever i am playing with someone who i know is a 2+2'er, i'll bluff them more often than i normally would have, simply because i know they can lay down a hand.

It doesn't matter what kind of player you are (weak/tight etc..), there are MANY situations in poker where you have to make the correct fold. I capitalize on this when i am playing against 2+2er's (since they are well aware of these situations) and I wouldnt want them doing the same to me.

Re: Talking about 2+2 at the table.
 

I seriously doubt mentioning 2+2 will make the game more difficult, but I know it's not going to help anything, so I keep my mouth shut.

Re: Talking about 2+2 at the table.
 

In general mentioned anythinmg like this is bad. It will defintely change some peoples plays. Not that they become winners or tough players but they might change from retarded bad to slightly bad wich is costing u money. That goes for any chatting like about winrates or berating and telling ppl what mistakes they make. Some just dont care but a lot will at least think about it.

Re: Talking about 2+2 at the table.
 

Dont talk about strategy.
Dont talk about that you use strategy.
Dont mention anything regards to playing well.

YOU ARE GAMBLING YOU ARE NOT PLAYING A GAME OF STRATEGY.

Im a hypocrite because I get bored.. But.... If you want the monies this is the smartest way to act.

Re: Talking about 2+2 at the table.
 

I think you should never talk about anything regarding poker at the table.
Talk about your life, your job, maybe something about your other hobbies, but dont talk too much about poker.
Dont berate any players, and never give other players advice, even if you're asked.

Re: Talking about 2+2 at the table.
 

You know the advangate of keeping someone in the dark is not that hard; you should try to beat anyone and only quit if it is to hard. posting here doesn't do much I think the connection would heip you; Also many players who have read Sklanksy don't change much. I wouldn't care if they can extract anything from these pages they deserve it.

Re: Talking about 2+2 at the table.
 

Not just that but kill you, some people don't like being called names. At the wsope today they made a very stern order that it must be all english because of talking about someone behind thier back (the way they play). This is no joke just playing for soft drunk losers is dangerous. The last time I played I pulled down a super huge pot and someone blow up in my face the dealer had to pay the fellow off with his tip money and they didn't stop him; there are plenty of guns in Vegas and LA for some losing player to get revenge. the whole "losing money trip" is just looking for a fight. Poker demands equality in life I can just imagine Nixon talking gooks at the poke table all about bombing and any kind of gangland trash that is one reason poker and gambling has a bad name it is almost a synon for mob and cheat. Really that kind of play could be point shaving. He was a poker player and a cheat so what can you do?

Re: Talking about 2+2 at the table.
 

Hahah great rant.

Re: Talking about 2+2 at the table.
 

I've heard people before talking about 2+2 at the tables, and not once did I divulge any information that I post there too.

Re: Talking about 2+2 at the table.
 

I think it's a disadvantage to you for another 2p2er to know that you are a 2p2er. If a player thinks I am a mediocre ABC tag, or w/e, and I KNOW that he thinks that and i know he's a 2p2er, I can murder him in some really bad spots. Information inequality is awesome.

This shouldn't really have any effect on the fish though. Even if they logged onto this site, they wouldn't learn anything. They'd just post in BBV or w/e. Also, there is a ton of bad advice in the strat forums, so even if they posted there, they still might not get much better.

On a side note, I don't think it's a bad thing that there is bad advice in the strat forums. It gives everyone an opportunity to learn when a poster makes a poor strategy suggestion.