Table Talk (Online/Live)

This is something I think about alot. How much information people give away just by the things they say at the table. Whether it's live or online it just confounds me every time I see someone berate a bad player. Interestingly enough though, it's usually a bad player that does the berating... Bah! What can you do?

At times I come across a catch 22 when I see someone berating a player. Especially when the berator is a seemingly solid player. How do you tell that person (especially online) that what he is doing is giving away information. Let the player play badly, etc... You all know what I mean. I try to just ignore it but by nature, I have always stood up for people I feel are being wronged and when I see this stuff happening I will speak up. I know I need to just shut the hell up but it just bugs the hell out of me! So when I do speak up and tell that person to stop being an ass in doing so I am giving away information to ALL the bad players at the table. Not to mention the fact that it's just wrong to berate people in general. A good rule of thumb for everyone is if you wouldn't say it to someone at a live table, you definitely shouldn't say it online.

Another thing that happened to me a few months back was while playing a live 3/6 limit game at my local casino I was seated in seat 5 and there was a girl struggling at seat 7 with a player that seemed fairly solid in seat 8 giving her advice. Not only was he giving her advice, he was giving her BAD advice. I desperately wanted to say something to point out he's wrong and is actually hurting her, but I caught myself in time. I just recommended a couple of books to her. But, doing so gave away information. A couple people heard me an both spoke up. One had read the books so he knew my play style from that point on and announced it. The other was just a moron who gave the old "uh oh he read a book" crap. But still it changed my game for the rest of the night. Bah! Just shut the hell up!

So please people, stop trying to show off how much you know. Stop being an ass. Put your ego aside and just shut the hell up! I know we all get steamed at times and will let something slip but if we all keep this in mind we won't do it as often...

I like Phil Gorden's line just say; "Hey buddy please don't tap on the aquarium."

Many times in low limits I'll just comment; "It's amazing how many poker pro's play 5 cent 10 cent blinds and give free advice", that's usually enough if not I' just turn off chat and make my point by how I play.

GL nice post.

Thanks. Yeah, I remember the Phil Gordon quote. That stuck out with me also. This very thing is brought up in "Psychology of Poker" as well.

Table chat off is probably a good way go to at times...

alot of times i just type, no hablo, they usually shut up, or just keep on ranting, either way, i don't respond after that. then off course if that player leaves before me, i'll type something to the effect of "what a jerk". than usually generates a few lol's and lightens the mood.

Don't try to improve your opponents. They may be your cash cow someday.


Remember that even donks will occasionally make a great play, and great players will occasionaly donk out.

talking isnt always bad, I have talked people into calls before live.

Never hinted at all that there is something wrong with talking. I talk at the table and have talked people into calling myself on occasions. I think you missed the whole point of the post...

my comment was basicly directed at the responses and not the origional post which is why i didnt quote anything in origional post. didnt read originoal post!!!!

What are ya goofy?

How can ya read the replies and not the post?

it was long and had alot of big words, we here don't like big words.

ok read 1st paragraph now and read a reply again


so this is about telling players how bad they are, yea thats bad carry on discussion dont mind me.


I will tell story now to make up for me not reading (still haven't) original post in its entirety. I was sitting at 1/2 and this guy sat down with like $100 and busted like 1st hand. He left and came back with I think $200 and by this time I had over $1200 at table (started with $300) and he raised preflop and I opened with AQ and he said he might raise and basically I told him if you do im putting you all in. ( i did this so he wouldnt raise) so flop came down A high and dude went all in and I immediately called and other dude folded. He showed AJ and caught J on turn, I couldn't help it I was sooo mad and said something. I didn't say anything real mean just kinda mumbled how bad that was . Needless to say I went on to bust him later on night calling light against him.

I found this article while googling "Zen Poker" and a good portion relates to this post. It's long and you might find some big words in it so you might not want to check it it stormswa.

Stay off Tilt in Poker - Controlling yourself with Zen