Live poker question

#1 7th January 2012, 8:47 PM

just a quick question, I have been playing some live poker in a pub league and most games so far have been no larger than 20 people but they do have larger games in different areas up to 100 players, my question is "is it bad form too ask for each player to tell you there stack size when starting the final table?" I only ask this because I suck at reading stacks and the bigger tourneys start with 20K stacks where the smaller games are 10k and move faster when down to 2-4 players and becomes a shove fest.

#2 7th January 2012, 10:10 PM

thanks I meant asking for all stack sizes before the start of FT.

#3 7th January 2012, 11:04 PM

It's bad form. They don't have to count and tell you how much they have.
Just a side note- they do have to keep there biggest chips in front or on top so you can see them. The chips also have to be stacked in a neat order according to TDA rules.

#4 8th January 2012, 2:03 AM

People don't always like it, but bad form or not, it's extremely important for you to know your relative stack size against other players. Don't make a fuss if they won't tell you, but ask. Keeping track is up to you though, I don't think you should ask repeatedly.

Some players who are not as math aware I think take the question as a challenge - like you're gunning for them. Math based players wouldn't have an issue telling you (although they wouldn't and shouldn't during a hand).

#5 8th January 2012, 4:01 AM

I think you should take it as a challenge to yourself to start working on being able to read stack sizes. Not down to the penny - but you should be able to get close.

The other way is after the people put out a big bet - ask them what they have behind... then fold.

#6 8th January 2012, 4:02 PM

Thanks I have only asked when I was in a hand with a player but watching FT on TV they start off with intros of players and their stacks and was just wondering if it was bad to ask in a live setting.

#7 9th January 2012, 1:22 PM

Yeah id start learning to count chips as they start to stack them as everyone is sitting down

#8 9th January 2012, 1:31 PM

Learn to estimate stack sizes.

Asking for your opponents stack size when facing a bet or betting yourself is reasonable, but you should still be able to give a decent estimation. Asking for everyones stack size at the start of a final table is annoying as hell.

Get a chip set, and put out some stacks and get familiar with it. Personally I rarely have to ask for a chip count from anyone.

#9 10th January 2012, 9:26 AM

I ask all the time even though I can usually guesstimate. If someone has odd stack sizes (i.e. not rows of 20) it confuses me.

I also ask all the time because it sort of steadies me and stops me from acting too quickly. I had a major problem where I made big decisions too quickly and so I've tried to built various delaying tactics into my routine. I usually phrase it like, "How much you got, like 3,000?"

Also, their reaction can give you pretty good information a lot of times. I'm not sure it's good etiquette to ask solely for this purpose but it definitely helps.

#10 12th January 2012, 3:41 AM

it isnt necessary for them to tell you, but if they are nice they might. however, if youre gonna be playing live poker you should start working on getting a good read on peoples chip stacks by yourself

#11 17th January 2012, 9:02 PM

I think it's ok to ask a player u are up against in a hand ...but I never heard of anybody asking the whole table for a count b4 a hand is played on a final table.

#12 30th January 2012, 12:22 PM

the final table, I would like to get one

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