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Dayne G.
Rock Star
Silver Level
When I first started playing seriously, I struggled with this question:
SHOULD IT BE IMPORTANT TO BE LIKED AT THE TABLE- TO BE THOUGHT OF AS A "FRIEND?"
My style doesn't promote making friendships while in the heat of battle, and I used to really play tug-o-war w/ this concept.
Everyone enjoys being liked, but I now believe it can often get in the way of your bottom line.
One way "needing to be liked" may hurt our overall game is in the way we bet our hands...
Ex: not making a specific play, because it may "upset a friend." I used to feel bad when extracting every last bit of value out of a hand, when against a friend. Sometimes, I would actually soft-play.
Most importantly, though, "needing" friends at the table may make us think in terms of what they would think if we thought X, and made X play. In other words, taking us OUT OF OUR MIND, and OUR thought process... and putting us in THEIR way of thinking.
Needing to be liked, IMO, has no place at the poker table. Talk a lot, ask about wife and kids, girlfriends, etc AWAY from table. No one has to like you...
BUT THEY MUST FEAR YOU... THEY MUST NOT HAVE A CLUE AS TO WHAT YOU'RE FEELING/THINKING...
That's all. Watcha think?
Stay focused,
Dayne
SHOULD IT BE IMPORTANT TO BE LIKED AT THE TABLE- TO BE THOUGHT OF AS A "FRIEND?"
My style doesn't promote making friendships while in the heat of battle, and I used to really play tug-o-war w/ this concept.
Everyone enjoys being liked, but I now believe it can often get in the way of your bottom line.
One way "needing to be liked" may hurt our overall game is in the way we bet our hands...
Ex: not making a specific play, because it may "upset a friend." I used to feel bad when extracting every last bit of value out of a hand, when against a friend. Sometimes, I would actually soft-play.
Most importantly, though, "needing" friends at the table may make us think in terms of what they would think if we thought X, and made X play. In other words, taking us OUT OF OUR MIND, and OUR thought process... and putting us in THEIR way of thinking.
Needing to be liked, IMO, has no place at the poker table. Talk a lot, ask about wife and kids, girlfriends, etc AWAY from table. No one has to like you...
BUT THEY MUST FEAR YOU... THEY MUST NOT HAVE A CLUE AS TO WHAT YOU'RE FEELING/THINKING...
That's all. Watcha think?
Stay focused,
Dayne