It is an interesting game. If I lived near you, I'd be PMing you to join.

I have a similar situation to yours, my problem isnt getting invited back, but the group is down to about 6 now, and people are just getting tired of losing, so I am actually more worried about the losing players because I do not want to see this game break up.

What I do, is I always run it twice anytime they get their money in bad, The only times at this game where it is run more than once, is when I am in the hand. This really doenst come across bad at all, and the pot is split enough times that its a sigh of relief for a lot of the players that get tangled up in these spots.

Second, instead of rebating people, I will juice the pot, I will often throw straddling chips over to someone else, at first it got a weird reaction, but now, when I do it, it causes a new dynamic. Players that typically make good decisions start to lower their guard some, and it creates action and its kinda fun watching people go to war over the extra juice. I will pay straddles, double straddles, etc.. And for what its worth, the entertainment value of seeing 2 players get out of line due to the extra money in, is well worth it.

Another thing I started doing, is getting out of line myself with bluffs, usually pre-flop, some of the nits will raise pre, and I will 3-bet them, and get shoved on, I can then turn up my rags and gripe about bad timing, this moves money, and it helps me later on in the night, I have been doing this consistently and now everyone expects me to be bluffing a lot

The main thing is, if people are having fun, you have no worries. People seem to enjoy the games when there is heavy action, and stacks trading hands a lot. Thats the best I could come up with, to try to get the game to liven up some and keep people interested.

If you're a good hand reader and a ppl person, then you should be well enough to read the host, or the general vibe of the table to know what you need to do to keep the game running AND continue to be invited back.

I've been told the same thing in the past "Ppl are talking about how you are always winning and they're getting tired of losing... to you. You might have to "catch and release" a few extra chips if you don't want the game to dry up" I was like "You mean throw a game?"

I've cleaned out my table a few times (playing my "A" game) and learned that if you always win and everyone always loses, the game does dry up (unless you can get an influx of new money in the game). Most will lose the motivation to play once they've "had enough" of being the sucker.

I've learned that in games where the field is very "recreational" where they make loads of mistakes and give off even more reliable tells... you simply have to be a sport every once in a while. Give action here and there and pay ppl off in small pots every now and then. Don't deliberately throw the game and muck the winners, but selectively play a "B" or "C" game here and there and get it in bad to a short stack from time to time and make a few bs tight folds when ya know you're good and say "I know you have the straight Bob, my set is obviously no good here." Expecting full well to see him gloat as he turns over 2 pair or something you were beating.

I'm not saying to put a bunch of chips in and fold, but create the illusion that ppl are getting the best of you (from time to time) in smaller pots you have little invested in, or pay off small river bets when you know it's a typical milking under bet with a hand that wants to get paid off. Say stuff like "I thought you were bluffing. I cant believe I tried to hero call ya' with ace high, or bottom pair. Boy was I wrong! Nice hand Bobby!" These sorts of things will go a long way in the "feel good ego boost" department.

It's not a casino where anyone can play without the need of an invitation where you're sitting across from strangers you'll never see again from session to session.

If the game is THAT juicy and the players really are that bad, don't be greedy... or you risk running the well dry. They would only be holding those chips temporarily. Let them make mistakes and circulate the chips around the table to one another a little. You'll get them back again.

If you play a bit fast and loose and that results in you giving a bit back, and leave a session a bit "stuck". Consider it a re-investment for the sake of the longevity of the game, or your "welcome". You have to learn how to be a sport and create an environment where they either like loosing to you, or feel good about the action you give them. Be selective about it and they won't notice the other stuff so much.

That's just what I've experienced about private games. Hosts will deny the quiet hoody grinder types from playing a game because they are serious like in a casino and the recreational players don't play these games for the same reasons. But, continue to be social (as you've described) and create the illusion. Give a bit of action by taking the losing side from time to time... ppl won't notice how much they're loosing to you, or they won't mind quite so much. I'm just talking from personal experience.

Solid move with the setup. Maybe drop the host a nice scotch around Christmas time.

This is brilliant.

OP Post made me laugh and reminded me a bit about my games.

Some advice, don't change what you're doing. If you're goal from playing poker is to earn a little extra scratch then you shouldn't be going with the guilty mindset that you need to be losing because the host doesn't like it.

I wonder if he was the more consistent winner and is now jealous some new guy has come along and cleaning up?

Chances are you're on bit of a heater, but also because you are new to their game, they havn't adapted to your style of play. But over 10 sessions with you they clearly aren't paying much attention to the way that you are playing.

Next time something is said about its time you start losing, maybe joke back with "maybe its time you got better" or something of that ilk. Flip it from the focus being on you to the focus being on them, that said you don't want them to get better

I have the problem at my games where I'm the most consistent winner / and the most in profit (all my games are logged) so players feel that the host wins too much, but this is often offset by nights where i dip maybe once or twice and lose.

bring a friend, lose 5 buyin's to him, blame all this on bad luck, get him to give it back to you when you leave

a small lose here and there will keep you a long term winner, but don't go losing loads as your there to make money

I doubt avaholic will take this advice. Seems a bit shady, but maybe that's just me.

I agree. Seems a little ironic that the guy that always wins is losing to the new guy.

Suspicious? Yes. But it isn't ironic.

Thanks schmendr1ck. Wrong choice of words. suspicious more appropriate. LOL.

Aww. I was trying to start an irony-nit war, and you spoiled it by agreeing with me.

Hah. Sorry to disappointment. New to the HP forum.