Private Games vs Online vs Casino

[bretzky55]

I know that Casino games are typically looser than online games, but where do private games fall in the range of tough or soft? Does it depend on the place you play at or is there a general rule?

[Small Fry]

I would have to say home games run the gamut. The frindly home games probably have the worse players, generally. (some of these could also have some really,really good players) These players are more comfortable at a home game and they would most likely never at a casino or online. They're there just for the freindships and to have a good time. Then there's the home game thats actually an underground casino. Not quite the same scene as the friendly game of nickel/ dime NL.

[pfapfap]

Agreed, it's hard to say. In some ways home games are easier for the good player because you get to know the other players quite well. I play in several home games, which vary somewhat between them. Someone told me that my home game has a tougher field than the local cardroom. As it turns out, several of us have won or cashed multiple times in the local cardroom's tournaments, so he may be onto something there. But I play in a weekly game with people who really don't consider odds or stack sizes much at all, and some rather straightforward players are able to profit from the crazies (and I try to profit from all of them). I'd say I'm the best player in that game, but I'm only in the middle somewhere at my own home game, and I know people who play in much tougher and bigger games.

Interestingly, pretty much everyone at all of my home games understand the rules and the reasons behind them. They know that IWTSTH sucks. They know that cards are random and don't flip out if something's not the "proper" order. And, so far, they're all incredibly upstanding, trustworthy people. You won't find much of any of that in any cardroom.