Psycho call-anything opponents low-limit home game problem

Okay, I posted this in another forum (the beginner's circle), but it seems more appropriate to this forum than the other.

The deal is, I play a home game of Texas Hold Em with my buddies on Tuesdays; there are six of us, we each put in $5.00, and the max you can bet or raise is 50 cents.

Though occasionally some of them will play tightly, 99.9% of the time there is always at least one or two of them who will call you "just to see what you have." These same people will also play on any darn thing that comes down the pike, and it's impossible to tell whether they have something or not. I'll end up folding to find out they had crap, or play hard because I think they've got crap and they'll have a monster.

The first three games I played pretty loosely; I saw the flop most of the time if I had a high card or any type of connectors (lots of times even high-end gaps). I'd occasionally win, but most of the time I'd end up with crap by the turn and would have no desire to follow up on these people's ridiculous raising habits for the river. I went out three games in a row, making my total -$15, though I've clawed my way back up to -$7.40.

I asked some experts here and they said I should tighten up and only play pocket pairs, high-end suited connectors, AK through AJ, KQ, and cards of those higher groups.

I haven't applied the strategy yet, but I've been trying it out in low-end poker rooms (play money) at Empire Poker with typically bad results. Maybe I shouldn't judge from those, though, since play money low-end poker rooms are probably of a different feather...but still, I'll honestly wait around for a good hand, bet like crazy and most of the time the flop, turn and river cards will just spit in my face. Then I have to wait around forever again. It's frustrating waiting around when you've just lost a pile, y'know?

Anyone have any input beyond what I've mentioned? Sorry for cross-posting, but I'm sick and tired of having strategy-less people make fortunes while I usually don't break even (I have crap for luck, honestly). I want to be out of debt and I want my buddies' brashness to come back and bite them in the ass so there is less gloating about how "man, you just don't play hard enough." They're great guys, but you can understand how I feel; it's like a call-station gloating that "he's awesome" because he occasionally wins huge on crap. :x

BTW, when I say I have bad luck I really mean it.

Last time I got dealt pocket queens three times and lost big on all of them. I was beaten twice by a higher full house and once by four of a kind!!! It put me three dollars in the hole.

I know that's just how the cards fall, but...is there any...way to stop the bleeding...

Well, if they are calling stations then of course camping for the best hand is the only thing you need to do and they will pay you off. Just need to remember that while pocket aces are the best hand preflop, and though they usually are the best hand post flop they aren't always going to be the best hand post flop. If the flop comes 89T or something like that and you get a lot of action, you need to really consider the idea that your aces are toast. Top pair and better are good hands to push hard on the flop and turn (especially in a 6 handed game) but don't get too attached to your non-nut hands.

Also, your home game setup sounds like limit which would probably get better responses in the limit forum if you haven't already posted in there.


With the max bet being .50, I would trash any idea of bluffing in this game. If anyone ever folds to you, just muck your cards and tell them you were bluffing - never said you have to be honest :D .

I also suggest Winning Low Limit Hold 'Em by Lee Jones and Small Stakes Hold 'Em by um..david sklanksy i believe.

Honestly, it just sounds like if you work on your postflop play you'll be fine. Its also very possible that since you haven't played many sessions you could have just started out on a bad run - it happens to the best players.

One last word of advice that I still have to punch myself in the face to remember: Don't be too quick to blame luck. Even if you are running bad, there are always ways to improve your play. Players who blame everything on luck refuse to learn. Refusal to learn = less chips.

Low end poker rooms with play money chips generally isn't a very good place to practice. A lot of people buy in for the default amount and will literally push any two cards since it's not real money.

You might want to try playing micro-limits online to improve your play. It sounds like you haven't gone through very many sessions though. If you have a little bit of patience, beating your friends who you claim to be "calling stations" will come over time. All the garbage that they call and end up winning with will end up catching upto them, I guarantee. Don't play garbage when you're frustrated, and if you're too frustrated, simply walk away from the game.