Table talk; why you should not do it, please!

[tohos]

Good post Michael. The things you said are true and many people do not realise it. Verbally abusing the bad player not only gives info on your play and show the table you are tilting, you also make the fish aware of his mistakes. Although most fish are fish and won't realise where they made a mistake.
The post about ego also rings some truth for me personally. While I don't start typing away how bad they are in chat, it hurts my ego when someone making absolute shit calls gets there. I will often tilt and start making bad decisions.
Now I shall try and improve on this aspect of my game.

 

[ElPorito]

I usually have table chat off unless there is player that is about to tilt and I know I can make him tilt for his entire stack. However, I hate all the abusive crap you get and I'm also not there to make friends. I'm there to play poker and hopefully get all their chips.

Live you don't get this kind of stuff a lot but yeah it does happen. Mostof the times it's the drunk guy who just busted or the table idiot who is always welcome cause he spreads his wealth with the regs and he's okay to blow his lid cause he'll be back for more tomorrow

 

[Michael Paler]

Good post Michael. The things you said are true and many people do not realise it. Verbally abusing the bad player not only gives info on your play and show the table you are tilting, you also make the fish aware of his mistakes. Although most fish are fish and won't realise where they made a mistake.
The post about ego also rings some truth for me personally. While I don't start typing away how bad they are in chat, it hurts my ego when someone making absolute shit calls gets there. I will often tilt and start making bad decisions.
Now I shall try and improve on this aspect of my game.

You are correct, there is just nothing harder to swallow than when a bad player makes a bad move at a bad time and makes a mint from it. Just infuriating. I just try to tell myself that I know in the long run that style of play will lose them their entire bankroll and it will be to players like me. If not, then you hit it spot on; you get upset and it affects your game. Now not only have they sucked out on you, possibly are actually proud of their "success" and think they are a better player than you, they are also killing your game by causing you to tilt.

The only part of that you can control is your own outlook at what just happened. This is where using your own point of view can really save you. But it is sooooo hard sometimes, lol.

 

[1ofTheFellas]

For the longest time when I first started playing, I'd chat, berate, you name it... It does no good..

If anything it chases the fish away or makes the fish think more in depth about what they just did. As poker players, we don't want the fish improving, so why provoke it? Just sit there, and play each hand to the best of your ability and the rest will work itself out.

 

[WhineyLobster]

Ya... no need to take your aggression out in the chat. Thats what your wife is for.

 

[Michael Paler]

For the longest time when I first started playing, I'd chat, berate, you name it... It does no good..

If anything it chases the fish away or makes the fish think more in depth about what they just did. As poker players, we don't want the fish improving, so why provoke it? Just sit there, and play each hand to the best of your ability and the rest will work itself out.

What sites do not allow you to block only the chat of a person who is just being a mean and (stupid) bully? Anyone know? I have heard complaints that some sites do not allow blocking individual chat, yet since some do not take American players I would not know. You do not want to turn it all off if possible; online tells are few and far between compared to live.

 

[WhineyLobster]

I know JuicyStakes (which i believe is Revolution) and Carbon poker (merge network) both allow blocking (muting) of individual chat. I also know that both accept US players to load money easily using credit cards... Many sites on Revolution and on Merge use the same software so id assume that all those sites allow muting but I can only speak for those 2.

Lobster

 

[pokerfishas]

First of all, you shouldn't do it, because it damages your concentration and you risk to make some bad decisions while chatting eith others..

 

[Michael Paler]

First of all, you shouldn't do it, because it damages your concentration and you risk to make some bad decisions while chatting eith others..

Another excellent point! It certainly is hard to keep track and concentrate if you get wrapped up in conversation poker or non poker related. Again, some do this on purpose just to distract you, so, just keep quite, pay even closer attention when they are not and get their money.

 

[Poker Orifice]

What sites do not allow you to block only the chat of a person quote]
Bodonka

 

[Zorba]

Ya... no need to take your aggression out in the chat. Thats what your wife is for.

Not funny, are you a wife basher.

 

[AtiFCOD]

I chat at tables sometimes. Especially in restricted tourneys where playing poker for fun.
Yesterday in a PS micromillion tourney there was a situation where I had top pair (KQ) and I raised flop then turn...on turn I got the 3-bet. I knew I was behind and folded.
But I was curious what he had and since he was also a hungarian he told me. Of course I was behind then.

 

[RichL]

When you watch top players they talk to people to gain information. Negreanu seems so likeable and friendly it must seem hard not to engage him but he seems to get a read from even one quick comment. So keep your mouth shut ! Chat in the bar afterwards when you have their chips ;-)

 

[AtiFCOD]

When you watch top players they talk to people to gain information. Negreanu seems so likeable and friendly it must seem hard not to engage him but he seems to get a read from even one quick comment. So keep your mouth shut ! Chat in the bar afterwards when you have their chips ;-)

Yeah, Negreanu is the best example how to read people by talking them or talking to them.
On the other hand he likes talking anyway.

 

[crisbiazus17]

Table talk is one of the most horrible forms of poor poker etiquette. I wish online rooms were like live poker and players were penalized for table talk, poor poker etiquette, etc

 

[Michael Paler]

Yeah, Negreanu is the best example how to read people by talking them or talking to them.
On the other hand he likes talking anyway.

You know, sometimes I think DN just gets lucky with his big mouth. For example, once he was playing a guy who was holding KK. DN had zip. They guy is contemplating a large river bet by DN, when DN looks over at the guy and says "I put you on a big pair, BTW."

LOL, I know he put the guy on a big pair. Even a fish like me could see that by the way the action had played out.

Now, think that out; DN was basically saying "I know you have one big pair and I can beat that, but I do not want to do that to you, so be warned! I don't really want your chips." LMAO. Why on earth would you tell the guy that? You do not want him to call? You are a nice guy and want to save him a few chips? DN is more interested in helping another player win than in winning it himself? Bull hockey!

He just got lucky the guy did not pick up on that. And the guy almost did.

 

[italiano]

It is an interesting thread, and you put it in a way that is hard to refute! But sometimes you need to talk at a table! I agree that talking on a MTT does not help, because they are short tournaments and you can give them information that they can then use against you and that does not benefit you, but in a long tournament which is tedious and spend many hours, sometimes it is necessary to talk to someone, but it gets very boring! For example in the main event final table wsop you spend over 9 hours playing for a prize of more than 8 million dollars and all your rivals are, but you should then exchange a few words or a joke but you you would die of boredom and summary not to show! I think we should talk just enough, too much or too little fair!

 

[_FISHFEET81_]

I agree with you Michael, nevr thought of some of the things. When I play I just disable chat for the most part. But yes every table I always see what a donk, half the time the guy saying what a donk got his money in with Ax board AKQ suited while the guy has middle or bottom pair with a big draw lol it boggles my mind sometimes seeing some people who throw money away online and then say its rigged. okay don't play then go spend your money at the casino on a slot or something if you're just going to ship it off in the long run.

 

[Beanfacekilla]

I used to talk strategy or make comments at the table regarding horrible plays (when I was inexperienced). I don't do that anymore.

I wear my headphones, and rarely speak very much at live tables. If someone sucks me out, I just say nothing. But I remember the line they took. I remember how bad they are. I just wait patiently for a return of my money (with interest).

I don't want people to know why I do the things I do. That is why I don't discuss strategy. I also don't want them to know that I am a high-level thinker. I would be content with them thinking I am a fish.

Berating other players for their play is wrong. It pisses people off. Plus, it makes the donkeys think more about their play. Who wants donkeys to improve their play? Not me.

Play your game, and keep your mouth shut. Don't even answer questions like "do you want action?" etc. The less you say, the better.

That is my $0.02

 

[Michael Paler]

It is an interesting thread, and you put it in a way that is hard to refute! But sometimes you need to talk at a table! I agree that talking on a MTT does not help, because they are short tournaments and you can give them information that they can then use against you and that does not benefit you, but in a long tournament which is tedious and spend many hours, sometimes it is necessary to talk to someone, but it gets very boring! For example in the main event final table wsop you spend over 9 hours playing for a prize of more than 8 million dollars and all your rivals are, but you should then exchange a few words or a joke but you you would die of boredom and summary not to show! I think we should talk just enough, too much or too little fair!

I get what you are saying and I think we are of the same mind here, actually; table talk should be on of your list of specialised poker tools in your poker tool box. Some however, over use it or misuse it.

 

[Poker Orifice]

Table talk seems to work quite well for Daniel Negreanu (although he doesn't do it much online).

Had an idiot on an ACR cash table the other day, constantly berating fish. It was sickening! I asked him if he thought it benefitted him (this is right after the fish had left... because they kept leaving after they'd lost a few big pots & he'd made his goofy comments). Then of course he started in on me lol.
Saved his chat, wrote to support telling them I was disgusted that they'd have a player chatting like this on their tables (as it was unenjoyable for me and was sure it also was for the players who kept leaving the table).

Another player mentioned to me that this guy is always like that on the table.

Saw him again a couple days ago & then again yesterday, & he no longer has chat, LoL. Of course I asked him why he was so quiet.

 

[Zorba]

Table talk seems to work quite well for Daniel Negreanu (although he doesn't do it much online).

Had an idiot on an ACR cash table the other day, constantly berating fish. It was sickening! I asked him if he thought it benefitted him (this is right after the fish had left... because they kept leaving after they'd lost a few big pots & he'd made his goofy comments). Then of course he started in on me lol.
Saved his chat, wrote to support telling them I was disgusted that they'd have a player chatting like this on their tables (as it was unenjoyable for me and was sure it also was for the players who kept leaving the table).

Another player mentioned to me that this guy is always like that on the table.

Saw him again a couple days ago & then again yesterday, & he no longer has chat, LoL. Of course I asked him why he was so quiet.

lol, they never learn not to tap the glass.

 

[_FISHFEET81_]

well just mute them in the chat box, there are so many annoying people on stars it drives me nuts. Not when I sit down I just mute everyone pretty much, Im here to play poker not to have a cyber chat with someone ive never met in my life, nor do I care what the person has to say at all. It was funny though I was watching a final table for a lot of money 6 figure pay out for first and one of the final 3 players chat was banned I guess, and when they were making a deal he just kept clicking sitting out, and it took them a bit to figure out he was banned, then they unbanned him got no deal done then he says I need a audi r8 spyder no deal, and ended up winning the tourney hahaha, then proceeds to tell the host to re ban his chat hahah

 

[dgiharris]

lol, they never learn not to tap the glass.

its all about ego, players can't help berating fish, makes them feel superior.

Was playing 2/5nl the other day and there was this total luckbox fish. She literally could not miss, she was hitting everything, gut shots, runner runner draws, I mean she would call flop drawing to draw meaning she's calling flop needing runner runner to win LOL.

In the course of 1 hour she's up $2k and 2 players are just lighting into her telling her how horrible she is. Eventually she just gets fed up, racks up, and literally takes the money to the blackjack table right next to us.

I then say, "Are you douchebags happy now, instead of her donating that money back to this table she's now giving it to the casino at the blackjack table..."

Of course the douchebags are actually defending chasing her off the table saying, "Well, you don't want to play with players that chase everything and don't know how to play..."

I then say, "You are a bigger fish than her if you actually believe that."

There was a little bit of justice as they kept trying to defend chasing her off the table and the rest of the table was lighting into them for them being fish if they didn't understand why you want to play against bad players...

I see this pretty much every session I play... its so annoying.

 

[ricksterrick]

I try to be friendly at the table and talk a bit but I never say anything mean or stupid. I played once in a bigger buy-in than I usually do and someone was being a complete *****. Muttering dumb comments and aimed specifically at me for an hour. I didn't even acknowledge him except I gave him the "are you ****in serious look". He was making just a fool of himself getting out of line.