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  #1  
Old 11-24-2007, 03:16 AM
Pot Odds RAC Pot Odds RAC is offline
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Default How to \"Gracefully\" Win without getting pushed around

I have been in a situation a couple of times where I was the big winner at a Home Game. This is a game amongst friends, most of whom make enough money to lose and not really feel it. Most of us play at the Casino. The Home Game is $0.25/$0.50 No limit. Some of the guys who play often at the Casino have a hard time treating these stakes like "real" money and the game gets real loose real fast.

Several times I have pulled in over $200 in this game.

The issue is one or two guys when they get stuck for a few buy-ins want to change the game. One guy in particular will NOT quit asking to "up the stakes" to $1/$2 Blinds. Frankly, I am fine at those stakes but for the purposes of this game I just like to keep the stakes low. These are my friends and i like to play for money, but when the blinds are $1/$2 and buy ins are $200...

...well that is a differet kind of Poker - one I don't mind playing, but not the one I come looking for at a home game with buddies.

This guy relentlessly trying to change the stakes or buy-in limits really makes me crazy, and I feel a little guilty for not wanting to change when I am ahead (not that I would if I was behind). He'll also keep pushing to keep playing later and later. Again, being the big winner, I feel obligated to play while the game is still going (tonight @ 11 I finally said I'd play until 1am, but then would have to split for my hour drive home)

So, how do you handle "winning gracefully" but still not let yourself get put into situations (games) with which you are uncomfortable?

Tonight I actually got annoyed with this crap to the point where it tilted my play and I got angry at the table a couple of times - something I haven't been doing lately. It didn't affect my play as much as playing beyond the point at which I was tired - but I still don't like to lose my cool like that.
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  #2  
Old 11-24-2007, 03:24 AM
ImprovinNewbie ImprovinNewbie is offline
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Default Re: How to \"Gracefully\" Win without getting pushed around

i play a 25c 50c NL game every week also... do you play with capped buy ins? something to try if you do is cap the first buy in at whatever maybe 100BB and then the next on to be even with the biggest stack on the table so people feel that they can get even. we play no cap, and straddles allowed, even double and triple straddle. it allows for loose crazy play and almost adjustable stakes. some guys dont like the straddle so they dont put it on.

i would just say that YOU dont feel comfortable playing those stakes for whatever reason. kinda put the thing on you. dont be a dick and say that they only want to raise it cuase theyre stuck but just say you dont feel ok with it, but offer straddles and uncapped buy in.

also, im pretty sure that since you post here, that you will play better that your opponents really deep stacked anyway. it may sound crazy playing 25c 50c with an initial buy in of 100 or more dollars but it will give you a chance to make WAAAAAAYY more money. in our game my biggest win is $600.

think about it....
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  #3  
Old 11-24-2007, 03:33 AM
budblown budblown is offline
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Default Re: How to \"Gracefully\" Win without getting pushed around

Tell the complainer that they have 3 options. 1- Rebuy, 2- Shut up, 3-Leave

Granted 2 and 3 aren't the best option but the guy knew the stakes beforehand. It doesn't matter what is played at the casino, it matters what the host of the game wants. The guy is trying to chase his losses, obviously you want to let him but not at the expense of the other players in the game. There's obviously other players in the game that aren't used to 1/2 blinds, or they don't want them but don't want to say anything.
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  #4  
Old 11-24-2007, 03:37 AM
Taso Taso is offline
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Default Re: How to \"Gracefully\" Win without getting pushed around

At 1/2 he wouldn't be deep stacked, he'd be normal stacked. And all that playing from earlier in the night could be lost in a single hand.

If the losers keep trying to change the game, just say you don't want to do that. If they keep pushing it, say you are cashing out, as you don't want to play 1/2. Also, say from the begining when you are going to leave.
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  #5  
Old 11-24-2007, 03:43 AM
Pot Odds RAC Pot Odds RAC is offline
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Default Re: How to \"Gracefully\" Win without getting pushed around

[ QUOTE ]
i play a 25c 50c NL game every week also... do you play with capped buy ins? something to try if you do is cap the first buy in at whatever maybe 100BB and then the next on to be even with the biggest stack on the table so people feel that they can get even. we play no cap, and straddles allowed, even double and triple straddle. it allows for loose crazy play and almost adjustable stakes. some guys dont like the straddle so they dont put it on.

i would just say that YOU dont feel comfortable playing those stakes for whatever reason. kinda put the thing on you. dont be a dick and say that they only want to raise it cuase theyre stuck but just say you dont feel ok with it, but offer straddles and uncapped buy in.

also, im pretty sure that since you post here, that you will play better that your opponents really deep stacked anyway. it may sound crazy playing 25c 50c with an initial buy in of 100 or more dollars but it will give you a chance to make WAAAAAAYY more money. in our game my biggest win is $600.

think about it....

[/ QUOTE ]

Very similar game. Tonight at the end of the night we were playing 5 or 6 handed and we had straddles around to the dealer!

I certainly felt the ability to continue to dominate the game, no matter what the stakes - but that wasn't really the point. I just felt more comfortable playing with friends at the established stakes.

Yeah, we cap the buy-ins at $20-$40 and had sort of intended to raise that as the night went on. When the guy just refused to let it go, we eventually agreed on a compromise to double the stakes to $0.50/$1.00 and allow rebuy up to $100
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  #6  
Old 11-24-2007, 03:46 AM
Pot Odds RAC Pot Odds RAC is offline
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Default Re: How to \"Gracefully\" Win without getting pushed around

[ QUOTE ]
At 1/2 he wouldn't be deep stacked, he'd be normal stacked. And all that playing from earlier in the night could be lost in a single hand.

If the losers keep trying to change the game, just say you don't want to do that. If they keep pushing it, say you are cashing out, as you don't want to play 1/2. Also, say from the begining when you are going to leave.

[/ QUOTE ]
Exactly.

I finally just looked at him and said: "Look, I'm going on the record here. You're seriously starting to annoy me with this. I'll play till 1 and we'll change the game to $0.50/$1.00 but that is it."
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  #7  
Old 11-24-2007, 03:49 AM
Pot Odds RAC Pot Odds RAC is offline
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Default Re: How to \"Gracefully\" Win without getting pushed around

[ QUOTE ]
Tell the complainer that they have 3 options. 1- Rebuy, 2- Shut up, 3-Leave

Granted 2 and 3 aren't the best option but the guy knew the stakes beforehand. It doesn't matter what is played at the casino, it matters what the host of the game wants. The guy is trying to chase his losses, obviously you want to let him but not at the expense of the other players in the game. There's obviously other players in the game that aren't used to 1/2 blinds, or they don't want them but don't want to say anything.

[/ QUOTE ]

Actually, part of my thought process included my Neice's boyfriend who I brought to the game and isn't as experienced (nor wealthy) as the rest of us. He is a big boy and can make his own decisions - he shouldn't be at the Poker Table if he can't - but I knew that he and several others might have an issue with the proposed increased stakes.
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  #8  
Old 11-24-2007, 12:52 PM
pfapfap pfapfap is offline
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Default Re: How to \"Gracefully\" Win without getting pushed around

At my game, I was concerned with raising the stakes because I didn't want to drive too many people away. By and large folks have adapted, and sometimes we'll run two tables, one at the lower .25/.5, another at .5/1.

I think something else may be going on above what's described, because what you relate sounds very common. What's wrong with raising the stakes to .5/1 at 11pm? By then most everyone will have larger stacks anyway. Or if you don't want to do that, just encourage a straddle, which accomplishes the same thing.

You have bad players with money to burn who want to bet more against you, a winning player. What's the problem here? Do you feel uncomfortable taking their money? You said they can afford it. I can certainly understand your feeling, but everybody agrees to spend what they spend. You are playing a game, and you should not feel guilty for winning.

If you're feeling pressure to stay, then you should establish a standard "home" time for yourself, and be clear on this at the beginning of the night. Then stick to that time for a few weeks, at least, even if you're stuck. Set a precedent so that down the road they can't complain when you "hit & run".

In the end, you have to stop owning their emotions.
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  #9  
Old 11-24-2007, 08:46 PM
Ricky_Bobby Ricky_Bobby is offline
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Default Re: How to \"Gracefully\" Win without getting pushed around

I think he wouldn't mind taking the instigator's money as he doesn't sound like a close friend. However, raising the stakes will imply that everyone's money will be at risk. I wouldn't want to win or lose several hundred dollars to/from my friends, but that amount of money isn't within any of our budgets.

It would take the fun out of it for me, as I like to drink, socialize, and make fancy/stupid plays without risking the rent. It sounds like the OP is in a similar situation.
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  #10  
Old 11-26-2007, 06:55 PM
Small Fry Small Fry is offline
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Default Re: How to \"Gracefully\" Win without getting pushed around

Personally I never feel any obligation to stay. I will give advance notice, maybe 30 minutes, maybe one round, of when I intend to leave.

So who's home is it? Does he act the part of host? How is the decision to change the stakes made? Majority? Everyone has to agree?

If you have a "host" just inform this guy at the start of the game that you will not agree to up the stakes. Or If the stakes are raised then you will most likely cash out.

If everyone has to agree and you're comfortable around all the players inform the entire table at the beginning of the night.

Sounds like you enjoy the "friendly" lower stakes but have some concern if the stakes get raised and it becomes "real" money. If this isn't a concern then I don't understand your reluctance as you say your comfortable at increased stakes. If you concern is other players, then tell them to speak up. I assume you're all adults.

Lastly you could try ignoring him. When he asks the first time and you say no there is no need to respond again. Until he asks you directly. You can then inform him that you already answered that question.
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