Ask the host (or the person inviting you) if you can bring a six pack or a bag of snacks to share. Even if you do not plan on really drinking, most folks smile upon someone bringing beverages to share.
Bringing a communal snack/beverage gives the impression you are there for more than just taking their money. You have to open one of the beers though when someone else does, or else it looks strange to have brought a beverage you do not intend on consuming. It is amazing how long a single beer can last
For me, I know I'll want to munch on something at sometime in a given 5+ hour period, so I make sure I can offer some as well. But I am also the kind of guy who like to share snacks and such (but not my chips or money
).
I'd say if you are going to consistently show up as a stranger, empathy is a good trait to have. Not that you have to feel sorry for folks , but you need to be able to get "the feel" of the game, so you can fit in, know what crosses the line, and what doesn't.
[Note for the following story: I consider myself still in the early stages of learning to play poker well, but I was definitely a favorite among these folks]
I went to a home tourney once, where I did not know anyone. Was invited by the dad of a friend of my sons on a fluke, and I of course jumped at the invite. There were about 35 folks there, where only about 20% of them had more than a beginners level of knowledge. I was my normal gregarious self, and made a few friends at the table. As I always try and do, I congratulated folks for sucking out against all odds on me instead of berating them for being bad players.
However, one guy immediately got under my skin and the feeling only grew over the first hour or so. I also picked up on the fact he had a big ego and felt he was going to crush the game. I needled him a bit here and there, and purposely put him on tilt until all he could see was red when he looked at me. Granted his personality made that VERY easy, without making me look like an A-hole.
We both made it to the final table, where I continued to needle him, and busted him on the bubble. I then went on to knock out the host in third.
Turns out the host and the annoying guy were business acquaintances. That business relationship was worth more than my smiling face to the host. I have not been back to one of their tourneys or cash games since, although I now "occasionally" run into the host and a few others from the game. Its been made clear it is because annoying guy does not like me[img]/images/graemlins/grin.gif[/img]
Moral: That would have been a VERY JUICY GAME for me to play in on a regular basis. Had I waited until the final table to start needling him, or my second invite, I think I would still be going to that game.