Being the new guy in a ring game...

[HipTrip]

Hi everyone,

I'm going to be moving soon and will have to start playing in ring games with people I've never played with before. Typically I am a more conservative player. What would your strategy be when you sit down at a talbe with players you've never seen and who have never seen you?

Be aggressive to give them a different first impression from how I usually play?

Any other advice for being the 'new guy' in a ring game?

I will be playing in $20-$50 buy in no limit games, if that makes a difference.

Thanks everyone,
Ben.

[hagakure]

Poker has a way of eventually bring out your true colors. If you plan to play there long term I would not recommend playing aggressive to make them think you play differently. In my opinion, playing smart and kicking some ass - even if it's not on the first night, would make a better impression.

[richardwe]

I would start out very carreful, only play certain hands. with to goal to get to know my opponents before they get to know me

[Rondavu]

I think your plan is great. First impressions are lasting ones. If you go in there on all cylinders firing away, they're going to write you down as loose. Even if you change to your true style, it won't eclipse their impression of you for quite some time. You can milk them during this honeymoon period. Do it for a few minutes at the beginning of every session as a little reminder sniff. Switch gears for a few minutes at various times during the session. That's the ticket.

I use this strategy every time I sit down at a real table. I always come out blazing, and make some modestly bad calls while showing my hands to stimulate the action on future monsters. There's nothing wrong with molding the image if you don't mind losing a few big blinds to do so. I don't know why anybody would be opposed to it. Poker is about deception. Your merely proposing to decieve. I say do it up man. If nothing else, it will be fun to play out of your skin for a moment. I love this kind of creativity. Good luck.

[richardwe]

I think your plan is great. First impressions are lasting ones. If you go in there on all cylinders firing away, they're going to write you down as loose. Even if you change to your true style, it won't eclipse their impression of you for quite some time. You can milk them during this honeymoon period. Do it for a few minutes at the beginning of every session as a little reminder sniff. Switch gears for a few minutes at various times during the session. That's the ticket.

does that first impression really gives you that big advantage?! It also makes you loose a lot the first minutes of play. I dont know about it... In the honeymoon period (like the name ) you also need to get the right cards to milk them. its a tricky strategy I think

[Rondavu]

Well you obviously don't have to go nuts. You find a couple of hands to stake your loose aggressive claim. You don't have to lose chips to be pinpointed as a maniac either. You could raise a ridiculous hand preflop, take it down and show the stupid cards you raised and got lucky with. I'm not advocating suicide. I'm promoting deception.

To be tagged as loose, all you have to do is make them think your playing weak cards on a regular occasion. You don't have to lose big with them. I would be willing to lose a couple BB in a hand or two to showdown my pathetic holdings. That's not undesirable.

You mean to tell me you never manipulate your table image? If you don't, then your missing out on one of the more enjoyable aspects of poker. There's nothing like having two people call down your AA because they're certain your weak and acting overaggressively.

To me it's not advantageous to submit yourself to a consistent image which allows people to develop a sixth sense about your holdings.

No, switching gears constantly with a superior post flop game is the way to go. That's what sends more chips to your stack. It drives people nuts when your unpredictable.

Recently, at a home game I caught a run of good cards and busted a couple people at showdown. Right there I knew there would be some outstanding bluff opportunities in the right situations for my taking during this window of fear I created. It was time to switch gears. Sure enough I got into a hand where a ten high rag flop appeared, and I caught no piece no draw. I called a guy down who had the ten waiting for an overcard to come. It turns out the board didn't coordinate (I would have bailed), and an ACE pops on the river. I led out with a substantial bet. He put his tail between his legs and ran for the hills.

Shifting opens up your options. Deception pays you off.

[jmontis]

I have a friend who I play poker with, but he's a total rock. This is not the image you want in a live game.

You want people to think you're a gambler at first, but switch gears so they don't know you're being selective about your hands.

[Molinero]

My first hand at a card room I was visiting for the first time last night: A A under the gun. 1/2NL, so I raise to $15. Everyone folds; I show the bullets.

Almost every time after that, most everyone folded to my preflop raises.

It was kind of neat, but it would be nice to get ONE caller!

[richardwe]

My first hand at a card room I was visiting for the first time last night: A A under the gun. 1/2NL, so I raise to $15. Everyone folds; I show the bullets.

Almost every time after that, most everyone folded to my preflop raises.

It was kind of neat, but it would be nice to get ONE caller!

you shouldnt have showed them, or you should have used it to play some good bluffs

I also like to play some bluffs after a good win, but maybe im playing the same tables to often to make a very loose impression that lasts. The know me to well I guess

Shall try it some times

[a500lbgorilla]

Agreed, just muck and hope for another good hand soon.

-'rilla

[Molinero]

I was GLAD to show em. You don't think I had AA every time they folded preflop to me?

[a500lbgorilla]

I was GLAD to show em. You don't think I had AA every time they folded preflop to me?

Well, you can either show and steal blinds for the rest of the night. Then at 2 in the morning, drive home and go to sleep after a cup of warm milk.

OR

You can muck and being playing off a loosey-goosey table image leading to big pots and a thick wallet which leads to big-breated strippers and a th...

Oh, the choices.

-'rilla

[HipTrip]

Some good perspectives. Thanks everyone who replied. I think I will just work on my game the way I have been. At my home table I've been kicking a$$ and taking names lately and they know how I play... but I've been trying to vary my moves more and it's really working. Also reading this site helps a lot and I took all your advice and got Harrington on Hold'em.

Thanks again everyone. Once I get settled in BC I will be sure to get back on FTR.com.

Cheers,
Ben.

[Molinero]

I was GLAD to show em. You don't think I had AA every time they folded preflop to me?

Well, you can either show and steal blinds for the rest of the night. Then at 2 in the morning, drive home and go to sleep after a cup of warm milk.

OR

You can muck and being playing off a loosey-goosey table image leading to big pots and a thick wallet which leads to big-breated strippers and a th...

Oh, the choices.

-'rilla

This is true. An those were PRECISELY the only two choices they gave me when I bought in [/sarcasm].

:P

[Sykedupp]

Some good perspectives. Thanks everyone who replied. I think I will just work on my game the way I have been. At my home table I've been kicking a$$ and taking names lately and they know how I play... but I've been trying to vary my moves more and it's really working. Also reading this site helps a lot and I took all your advice and got Harrington on Hold'em.

Thanks again everyone. Once I get settled in BC I will be sure to get back on FTR.com.

Cheers,
Ben.

I live in BC, where abouts are you moving to?

-Chris