I play 2-7 Triple Draw, but this question could be applied to any form of poker.

I recently encountered an opponent who was obviously new and quite bad at the game. We got chatting, and she mentioned that other players "were bullies, and not playing their cards". So she doesn't like bluffing. I can easily beat her without bluffing, so I've made a note to never ever bluff, even though I could do so ridiculously profitably. I just don't want her to stop playing me. And it's worked, she keeps coming back. I've intentionally played worse in other ways as well, just to make her think she's got a chance. Today she mentioned how the other players "aren't honest like us". The irony, of course, is that my "honest" play is all an act.

I think this fine but curious if anyone sees anything unethical here?

(By the way, I've only played this person heads up)

As far as poker rules/ethics go, there's nothing questionable about it. It's like how some players will intentionally play looser to entertain a loose fish. It'd only be unethical as far as you could consider hustling (pretending to be worse than you are to get action) to be unethical (which I for one don't, particularly in poker.)

omg you r so unethical op.
i was playing today, and i got check/raised. i was so angry.

I do it all the time. I figure I do much better in the long run if those people are happy and enjoy themselves.

The problem is segregating your attitudes, knowing when to be in that gear and when not.

As long as your play is a legal play within the rules of the game, no one has the right to question it.

I think it is in a way, yeah. Its ok to take some money from them, but if i find out they basicly dont compete i quit them. No matter how bad they are, as long as they have intention to compete i dont mind winning money of them. Just like in THE movie predator where he doesnt kill the woman cause she doesnt have a gun.

its all comes down to make the fish feel good
im usually the fish when i play
and i play ppl that i know are better than me, but im having a good time.
and they are all nice and friendly, and i dont feel that bad when a good guy wins the money.
i have left games..because i didnt like the guys i played with.

Good stuff here ... Nothing wrong with keeping someone interested in the game. You aren't manipulating the cards or angling spots with/for her. If you both (hopefully) are going to be regs in a certain room then you should do what's best for the long term of that 'relationship'.

I've got a guy that was very new to poker and he would try to sit next to me so we could talk about hands. Other players were like "keep him dumb" but I was more like "keep him coming here" and although he has improved a lot he is still a fairly easy mark BUT enjoys the game much more now. He easily could stay out on the floor at the table games, but really enjoys the banter and 'accepts' his weakness in the game. Rare bird .. need to keep!!

There are things you can do to weaker players that you may not do with regs. The most obvious one that I will do is bet like $3 OR overbet the pot on a Turn or River as a 'go-away' bet and then say "I warned you" after the pot if they call anyway. Of course I can use this for bluffing purposes as well, but anyway .. GL

Yes, if I remember correctly, this exact player thought she was playing 5-card draw when she sat down. Rather than steamrolling her, I taught her the basics and she enjoyed herself. It pisses me off to end when people make fun of fish and scare them away.

Thanks for the replies everyone.

You sound clueless. Do you really think she recognizes you havent bluffed to her?

Casinos do the same thing - they allow people to have fun while losing their money; why shouldn't that be in a poker player's bag of tricks? Nothing unethical about it

Probably not, but if she catches me she won't want to play anymore.

Edit: Actually she probably does recognize it - that's why she said we are honest.

Also we're playing Heads Up SNGs, so I don't have to play immediate max EV, I just need to win the tournament.

I think you already had a rapport and if you bluffed she might just say "wow you got me that time" I think all players understand that people bluff.

That's good poker. Be an entertaining hustler. I hate when people scare fish away.