[JJNJustin]

So you are saying no matter how evident these traits are in a particular person on a particular day, they are merely illusions and not reliable or accurate? I totally disagree.

Have you never played cards with someone who is so solid, inflexible, predictable, logical, and unemotional that you feel like you cant hardly win a dime off of them? A typical "grinder"? Or someone who is reckless, likes to gamble, craves excitement and seeks thrills? A typical "adventurer" or "gambler?" Someone who is dominant and aggressive, bets or raises at every opportunity and speaks in a loud voice, has this superiority complex, and is quick to anger when he loses? Someone who is so afraid to bet unless they have the nuts, constantly fearing monsters under the bed to the point of absurdity? Someone who is so inherently mean and malevolent that it seems as if they play totally out of spite for others and enjoy others losses more than their own wins? Someone who is so kind, sympathetic, and caring that they get in some kind of unnecessary moral dilema everytime they play a hand?

You have never seen people like this at the table? You are saying these are all illusions I have and project on to people?

The traits you listed such as "neuroticism" and "openness" are personality traits, however, I do not see any obvious effects or playing implications in a poker game from these types of traits, whereas the ones I listed almost always become incredibly obvious and relevant even after a short time.

I will give you some examples from people I play with every day:

Rigid- There is a guy in our casino who comes in the same time each morning, leaves the same time each day, whether winning or losing. He plays the same solid game every day, wears the same jacket and hat everyday. He always plays very tight and aggressive, very well, hardly ever tilts, and is considered one of the best players in Detroit by many. We have comped snacks, donuts, and sandwiches in the back and he always is going back there to get a drink or snack or whatever. He was playing a tournament one time and I was with him at the final table. He played 4 hands while I was at the table. He went all-in, showed down AA. Later, all-in, showed down AA. 3rd time all-in showed down AA. Last hand, all-in showed down AA. Didnt play a single other hand.

Impulsive- was a guy who loved to gamble, decent player, but very loose. Loved to call pre-flop raises with xx and show down some goofy hand. Drank alcohol and took vicadin at the same time. After he left the casino he used his winnings to go to strip bars or sleep with whores. He got addicted to internet poker, eventhough he wasnt winning. Loved action and huge capped pots. Played the biggest game that was spread at any time. Used to bring little funny gadgets and set them on his cards as lucky charms. One time someone bought him a poker book as a present, and after he lost a pot he threw it in the garbage can right at the table. Used to flirt with all the waitresses. He hated tight games and used to tell me, "Come on, blow the dust off them chips and get in a pot."

Dominant- young kid who always raises and 3-bets if he plays. He goes up and down like a yo-yo and mucks his cards angrily when TPTK gets beat. He has to leave the table every half hour to go smoke and cool down. He is always devaluing his opponents suckout with some comment like, "great 2-outer there." He usually dresses in baseball jerseys and hats.

timid- this older lady who plays low limit. She wont even bet good hands like TPTK. When she raises, she has two pair or better. She is always afraid of the nuts. One time I saw her check call the nuts?!? When she is in the pot everyone is scared of her because she could be sitting on something much better than her action is giving her credit for. Everytime she puts her chips in the pot she is afraid she is beat by something. Her voice is so quiet you have to lean over to hear what she is saying.

Malevolent- there was this guy who was so obnoxious he got barred from two Detroit casinos permanently. After being beaten in a hand by a 60ish quiet woman he said, "I'm going to get you you sick c---." He sold vicadin and other drugs to people. Once a guy owed me money and he offered to break his legs for half of the money. He frightened people at the game because he was kicked out of the casino many times for throwing things, starting fights, etc. He basically hated everyone.

benevolent- I would have to say me. Sometimes I miss bets and raises when I am heads-up with friends or people I like at the table. I constantly make small talk and socialize at the table. Most people like me. I feel like I have made so many friends in the poker room, sometimes it is hard for me to play correctly, although I tell myself not to let my sensitivity interfere with with is correct poker. I dont like playing heads-up or trapping players who are already losing or having a bad day because I have sympathy for them. I have strong objections towards rude or malevolent behavior.

You have never played with people like this? I do, every day. Perhaps at the higher limits you see less timid and malevolent types, as they wouldnt be too successful. At the lower and middle limits, however, you do all these particular types of people, and probably some other types, as well.

"Pigeonholing" or not, I find my system to be very reasonable and applicable, and stand by everything I have said.

-J