Do you ever feel dirty?

[JeffreyGB]

Ok, so when I first learned to play (Note: I mean fish-level play...when I started learning the rules of Hold'em), I started having a weekly game with my friends. We all pretty much took turns getting lucky, with a few of the more cautious players usually doing better. Somewhere in the middle, we started playing for money - $5 buy in.

Then I started studying the game and playing online. Now, if I don't place ITM, something went wrong. I've won all but one of the games we've played since X-mas (came in 2nd there) and it's almost reached the point that it feels like I'm just taking their money. I'm tempted to stop playing just so I don't get regarded as the jackass who holds a weekly poker game as a veil to get money from all his friends. The idea behind the $5 buy-in was that it wouldn't be a significant amount of money for anyone. It's reached the point that people are specifically not playing because they equate it to throwing $5 out the window of a car driving down the freeway - there's a chance that if they turn around they'll get it back, but not a good one.

Anyone have any similar experiences/thoughts?

- Jeffrey

[UG]

I started playing home tournaments with friends in August. We do $20 buyin, $20 rebuy. I had no clue what I was doing at first so my friends generally took my money. I was ITM twice in the first five months of playing (I didn't play every week, but at least every other week).

Being the type of person I am, I am going to be good at whatever I do or die trying. So I started reading. I got experience playing. Then I read some more. And you know what? I started playing a lot better. I gained more experience, read more, joined FTR (which was a big help), and then one day....I was an above average player.

I was ITM for 6/7 tournaments, being $+500 at one point (I haven't been ITM in the last two tournaments, right on the bubble, so I'm $+420 since going on my little streak). I'm still regarded as a guy that "doesn't really know how to play," even though I know EXACTLY what is going on when I play...and the results of the last two months prove otherwise.

Do I think you should feel bad about taking your friends' money? No. If you average it all out everyone gets the same cards, it just depends on how you play them, right? And you play them better than they do, end of story. If they wanted to, they could be good just like you (by reading, playing online, etc, etc). If they decide not to play with you anymore, go to a bigger and better game, and keep improving (and winning money).

But don't be a prick about taking their money. Don't lose friends over this crazy game.

[stevedonel]

Do they have the same intelligence level and info available to them that you have? Obviously yes. Dont feel bad. Let them know that it is a friendly competition; if they dont like losing, they need to practice and improve their game, just like any other competition. If its a social game, they shouldnt get upset over it. Its still cheaper than a night at the movies.

[Spook]

What is the atmosphere at the game? Are the more social than serious? if so perhaps its because of the low buyin, and a higher one would improve the quality of their game. A $20 buyin wont burn them either, but it will most likely get their attention. Also try to get a few more people in it, if you're talking about <10 folks normally then doubling that will allow you to have more paid spots and they will feel less like "your ripping us all off"

[Pizzaman]

I have found that I am in the money in most of the home games the home games I am involved as well. However, a good buddy of mine has lost big every time I have played with him. I tried to offer help trying to teach him alittle more, as I don't enjoy taking a friends money night after night, but in doing so, I became the bad guy, and it was taken personally. Lesson learned, I won't do that again. The lessons will just continue to be expensive.

[Trikflow77]

I only feel dirty when I touch myself.

[JeffreyGB]

What is the atmosphere at the game? Are the more social than serious? if so perhaps its because of the low buyin...

It is more social than serious, but that's intentional. As is I invite everyone I know that'd be interested and still rarely have more than 6 or 7 show up on a given week (our highest turnout was 10). Even so, I pay out quite a few places (top 50%) for that specific reason. It lowers the payout (technically hurting me), but gives a better chance that anyone will end up getting something out of it.

- Jeffrey

[FlyingSaucy]

I usually feel dirty after 3 days, then I decide to finally shower.

But seriously. I know what you mean, I used to play with a group of friends but then at some point i got more serious about it and started whooping them. Not because I wanted to be all ultra competitive, but that just came naturally from playing on line. I mean, I would never play crap hands. I'd never take stupid risks the way others were. It seems that everyone started thinking I'm doing it for competition instead of "for fun." And for me, the competition is the fun. We don't play much any more, I found other folks at my work who are better. But it doesn't bother me, I was the one who gathered them in the first place.