[Leibniz]

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my table image was getting better. I was showing down the winner or raising enough to make people think twice about calling with their offsuit rags.

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You might want to rethink that concept... Why would you want people to respect your game and fold incredibly -EV hands against your premium hands?

I think we all go through that stage in poker, at least I did. Where we think, "How can these people see me raise and turn over AA, KK, QQ, AKs over and over again, and them still call me with 96o and call me down with bottom pair to hit trips on the river? If only these people would respect my play then I'd be a winner..."

First of all, I learned to accept that fact, that most low limit players aren't paying attention to what hands you raise with pre-flop, all they are thinking about is their hands and praying they catch a lucky flop.

Second, you don't want these players to "respect" your game. By respect, you mean fold more often when YOU have the best of it. That is not the situation you want to create.Re-read pages 16-18 of SSHE until you take it to heart.

I can't remember where I read it, it may be somewhere in SSHE or another 2+2 book, or perhaps on this forum, but somewhere it was discussed how at low limit hold'em, trying to look tough (wrap around sun glasses, ipods, being too quiet) all make your opponents uncomfortable and thus tighten up against you. They are there to gamble and have fun and they don't want to feel like they are paying your mortgage for you. While that was referring to ones physical appearance and demeanor, I think it also applies to ones attitude at the table.

Try putting yourself in the shoes (and mind) of Joe the retiree, who comes to play poker because he is bored at home, or Jack the mechanic, who came to play poker, drink a few beers, and hit on that good looking cocktail waitress, Trixy. They come in and want to get their two cards, pay just about any price to see a flop with them, and then hope they take it down. Now, if Phil walks in and starts getting steamed that his big hands lose, starts talking about pot equity, variance, doing fancy chip tricks, wearing his wrap-around sun glasses, etc. etc. Then they get the feeling he isn't there to have fun, as they are, but he is there to make money and prove that he is a better poker player than them Nobody likes to realize they are the sheep being sheared. So, what do they do? They respect his game, they identify him as a good player and either recognize that he only plays the top 10 hands (so any rags they hit with will beat him because he is so easy to read) or they will stop playing against him.

So what did Phil gain? Everyone knows he's a good poker player. What did Phil lose? THE MONEY!

I'm not saying you are guilty of all the things Phil has done, but what I, Ed Miller, and dozens of people here want to point out is, you can either have their money or their respect, which one do you really want?

I think Daniel Negreanu sets an excellent example of demeanor at the table. Follow his example and do whatever you can so that the fish happily give you their money. You want to make them THINK they have a chance against you and never let on that they don't.

If you are looking for places to play, I can give you some recommendations. I lived in Las Vegas until last year, so my information shouldn't be too out of date.

As far as "locals" casinos go, don't automatically assume that it's going to be full of "rock" locals and that the games aren't good, because they are. Palace Station, the Cannery, Gold Coast are all good "locals" casinos that have some really good action games going. I'd say if you go in the morning and early afternoon, you are more likely to run into rocky retirees. Usually those games are best around 5 pm or after, when people get off work and come in, generally between 5 pm and 1 am are when these games are juicy. Also, you are likely to get better comps and chances to have your play rewarded with free roll tournaments at these places.

As far as the strip goes, I played at the Excalibur frequently. They have a 2-6 spread limit game, full of tourists that don't know poker from a hole in the wall. Just about anywhere on the strip is going to be like that. You aren't likely to find a table full of pros at a 2/4 game anywhere in Vegas.

Since the margins on these games are so tight, play where the rake is lowest. The rakes on the strip were generally higher than the locals casinos. Also, it gets to be a PITA to get down there, especially on weekends.

You may also want to try to start thinking on the next level. These players are thinking about their cards. And you are thinking about your cards and their cards. But start taking a moment to reflect on what you think THEY think you have.

Also, I'm not discouraging you from Caro's or any of the other books, but I find tells aren't particularly useful in limit hold'em, not physical tells at least. And I think that there are more fundamental aspects of your game that are far more important and profitable to address as compared to "reading the other man's soul" and picking up his tells. I say that because generally your decision is about one bet, rather than your whole stack.

Well, I didn't intend to ramble so much. I think the reason I was inspired to write as much as I have is because I very much see myself in your experience and attitude about the game. I also feel I have learned a lot more about poker and reflecting on my own actions from reading this thread.

Here's the trap I fall into. I get frustrated over something and ask someone for their opinion about it. They tell me their opinion and then I spend endless amounts of energy trying to justify my thoughts and actions and prove to them that I was right. Well, if I was right and I knew I was right, why am I asking? I think that is the trap you fell into initially. You were frustrated by your situation and while posing your question in a way that made it seem as if you were seeking advice, what you were really wanting was some consolation, which is a natural human reaction. Unfortunately, the people that replied (and I mean anyone that would reply) weren't as emotionally charged about the situation as you are, and thus gave a frank and honest appraisal of your play, which is what you said you were looking for.

Okay, that's enough. Good luck!