Home game Poker Strategy?

[dxkj]

I wasn't going to ask for any advice, because for a while I was winning, but now another guy is consistently up, 10x as much as the other players. When I bluff, he calls, when I have a good hand he folds. He does this to everyone, and I know he has been reading a lot of articles/strategy sites.

What do you guys do to keep the upper hand on everyone at the game?

 

[notfred]

Give the good players more alcohol.

 

[furie27]

Buy a book on basic statistics and probability, then one on psychology. Most players get good by reading their opponents body language, and it doesn't hurt to know the odds of getting every hand.

 

[dxkj]

Originally posted by: notfred
Give the good players more alcohol.

He doesn't drink as much as the rest of us usually

 

[TMPadmin]

You have too many tells. He can tell by your betting habits, your expressions, your movement. He's getting good while you and the other players are just playing for fun. Most guys who evolve above the level of play opt out in respect for their friends or fellow players. This guy doesn't sound like he's playing for fun anymore. He knows your strengths and weaknesses and is useing them to make money off of you where you are just playing for fun.

My best suggestion is to change the way you play. Play loose if you are normally tight, play tight if you are normally loose. Remember if you are a tight player all the time, you will be spotted. Play the table one night not your cards. This is not easy but with practice you will get better. Your other alternative is to ask him to not play or better don't invite him anymore. Difficult especially if he is a friend but a good friend wouldn't take your money (even nickels and dimes) at a friendly game. I think I would smash him at his own game. watch him, learn what he does with what hands he has.

What do you play? Dealer choice?

 

[dxkj]

Originally posted by: TMPadmin
You have too many tells. He can tell by your betting habits, your expressions, your movement. He's getting good while you and the other players are just playing for fun. Most guys who evolve above the level of play opt out in respect for their friends or fellow players. This guy doesn't sound like he's playing for fun anymore. He knows your strengths and weaknesses and is useing them to make money off of you where you are just playing for fun.

My best suggestion is to change the way you play. Play loose if you are normally tight, play tight if you are normally loose. Remember if you are a tight player all the time, you will be spotted. Play the table one night not your cards. This is not easy but with practice you will get better. Your other alternative is to ask him to not play or better don't invite him anymore. Difficult especially if he is a friend but a good friend wouldn't take your money (even nickels and dimes) at a friendly game. I think I would smash him at his own game. watch him, learn what he does with what hands he has.

What do you play? Dealer choice?

Dealer choice sounds interesting.

We play strictly no-limit holdem. Im a good actor, but i dont know which way to act sometimes. One on one I can usually take money from him, but when the table is full he usually takes more money.

He has been playing a lot online lately too. I decided to actually look for tells last week and I spotted one. I wont list it here on the off chance he finds it .

It is more of a money saving tell for me, than a money making tell. I know when Im really bluffing, or really having something I do the same nervous tells. But with those, how do they know which? Usually people with a hand call me either way. If they don't have a hand, they fold.... I guess a lot of this is me catching bad luck.

 

[furie27]

You may also want to try playing online. I spend time at www.pokerroom.com. It helps you read your opponent by their play, since you can't see them live. I can tell you, it's strengthened my game a bit.

 

[NikPreviousAcct]

Mug everyone just before they leave

 

[TwoBills]

Cut the cards.