Bullies

I can't stand when a player bullies the table with CONSTANT pre-flop raises, when they have nothing!!! I play low stakes no limit holdem and this is a constant problem (for me, anyway) on some sites. Small stakes may be a joke for these guys or they are stupid enough to think any card over a 9 (regardless of their kicker) is good enough to raise pre-flop. Maybe I am being a baby, but it just shuts down legitimate low stakes play. If I wanted higher stakes, i'd play them, and I feel these guys should do the same...not continually increase the stakes at a low stake table.

You might try pokerstars or Titan, over all better or more serious players at these sites, also playing sit & go's you don't see that behavior as much.

I feel your pain. People may say "but these guys are just waiting to have their money taken from them, why are you complaining!?", and they're right, but people either play low limit games because (a) they just want to have fun, or (b) they want to learn. Money isn't really a factor at all (of course it's better to win than to lose, but money isn't the main short-term motivating factor for most people in playing at low limits). The two aims are obviously conflicting - a player who wants to have fun won't like someone who keeps folding because "where's the fun in folding all the time?", and players who are looking to learn obviously won't like all-in maniacs who are looking for a quick laugh for the reason I think you were hinting at - because they're not conductive to good learning. Probably that's why so much bad language and insults get hurled around at some tables.

Anyway, Kenzie is right. I'll add UB (Ultimate Bet) to the list of sites (he's right about Stars, I dunno about Titan but I'll take his word for it - my connection doesn't like Titan) with better players. Don't get me wrong, there are still donkeys, but they're not as abundant as they are in a lot of other places. Your little info thingy says you play at Goldenpalace, if I recall correctly thay have a casino at the same site, so obviously you're going to get more of the type (a) guys filtering into the poker games just to gamble it up, much like you get at Pacific.

I played a live game last night with one of the most aggresive players that i have ever had the (mis)fortune to play with. The game was a $30 buy in winner take all, it was seven handed.

Mr. Aggressive won the first game on a series of all-in's (it was his only bet), he hit two inside straght draws in a row to take it to 5 players. Took out my AQ with A10 !!, but he totally dominated the game.

In the second game he adpoted a different tatic, raising half his stack every time without looking at his cards. I eventually took my chances with a small pair and took him out. And went on to win.

My point ? Against real aggression you need to pick a spot, but be prepared to go all the way with your hand, the mad aggressor will get lucky a lot, but should lose more to the better player (you) in the long run.