Several weaker regulars got up and left the game after seeing tight aggressive play from me. I was card dead for about an hour, then picked up AK several times and squeezed it. I usually do like 4x OOP + an extra "x" for each caller, but usualy that results in both players calling. So today I sized up a bit to try to isolate. Like 2/5 25 bet 25 call, I make it 160 in the BB. Or raise 20, raise 60, call 60, I make it 245 in the SB (Guy folded JJ this hand and very candidly told me he was only calling QQ+). Eventually they caught on I wasn't only doing with this premiums and I had a couple players call me to the flop. Once I potted the flop (depending on the texture) though they just got out of the way. Furthest someone made it with me was to the turn in a heads up pot, most of them were giving up pre and no one was really fighting back by taking the betting lead, they did start calling a little bit though. Multiway I definitely was slowing down, but heads up I was pretty ruthlessly aggressive.

I'm also a young guy and some could say I have a bit of a baby face. I was sitting there very emotionalessly and composed with a serious expression on my face regardless of what was happening. Player talked to me in between hands I just gave them a polite smile or nod or when the guy said did you have JJ beat, I said "You'll have to call next time and find out ".

Should I be friendlier between hands and entertain the fishes questions about what I had more (lie), or is it best to sit with the composure I was so that they continue to respect me as the aggressor even if it means some of them will leave the game. I didn't show any of my hands either. I also don't want to get physically attacked after leaving the room.

Best to be social and fun to be around and play with.

Acting like Stephen Chidwick playing a high roller just isn't it in live cash.

Does that mean we should tone down our aggression a bit? How are we going to be fun to play with if we are not playing many hands and the hands we do play we are 3 betting or 4 betting to isolate and then barreling big putting the scared money in really tough spots. The weaker 2/5 casuals and weaker for profit players don't even like putting 100 in the pot postflop, 200 seems like a large bet to them cause it is in dollar amount.

You don't need to tone down your aggression. Just talk to the other players and get to know them. For example, you might figure out that the biggest whale in the game really has a cool sense of humor. You can build some camaraderie with him by coming up with some ridiculously funny jokes.

It also helps a lot if you make it a point not to table change and/or seat change much to get the best table/best seat constantly. Don't call string raises on inexperienced players ever.

Show these guys that you are a chill and cool human being. Also show them that you are a gentleman and have class.

Good advice here. No need to tone down the aggression but you do want to be fun to play with, dont just sit there mean mugging all day with your baby face. People dont want to donate to someone that acts like a for profit player.

I always introduce myself to people and ask them what they do and such. I also talk about sports a lot. Ask about peoples card protectors if theyre interesting.

A couple weeks ago i got these 2 guys in a sports debate and they were so caught up in the conversation the guy insta mucked his hand instead of checking back river and I took down a decent pot i gave up on with 8 high.

If it gets bad where too many people are giving me looks or making comments about how aggressive im being i just say wow i cant believe all the hands im getting right now, dont worry im sure ill go cold soon enough. I want them to think im just lucky, not a bully, because thats how they see it and thats what makes them want to move and i want the fish to stay put.

I've had some luck with saying things like "I know I should let you in but have had such bad luck with big pocket pairs I'd rather win now".

No, play your game but just be easy going normal not so serious.

You don't need to stare people down and other dumb crap like that thinking you're gaining some extra edge. The players are bad enough you don't need to balance your tanking time and do all this other stuff.

Yeah you could just say something friendly like: good fold or nice hand, or if you wanna be indirect "I didn't have aces" or "sorry, I keep getting good hands"

When you get caught in a bluff, make a bad call, get bluffed, someone sucks out on you these are all opportunities to make light of the situation and get people to kind of laugh and have fun.

I had some hand where a guy cold called a 3bet from the sb with 62s and rivered a flush vs me.

When he tabled his hand I think he expected a negative reaction but I just laughed and jokingly said, "Hey you can't win with that how dare you haven't you read the book?! Floor come get this guy he's not playing the right cards!" And his serious face turned to a smile and he loosened up.

And for the rest of the session when we were in a hand together I would joke around with him and he didn't mind when he lost.

My strategy for this was always: never change my game, but figure out things to say to make the fish feel like you are giving up information. One old favorite was “there is no way you folded the best hand there” in a spot where it’s probably true. But there are myriad others.

As spyu said, never ever make the fish feel like you are upset when you lose. If they see you treat losing like part of the game, they will accept it too.

Most rec players are playing for fun. They know they're at a disadvantage to good players. They don't mind losing the money, so long as they're having fun, and not made to feel stupid, or that they're completely out of their league.

It drives me up the wall when a good reg sits there all serious, playing nitty, wearing headphones, not engaging with other players. It's not only bad for the game, it's bad for their win-rate.

I try to be jovial and friendly with everyone at the table. I try to remember to say "nice hand" every time anyone drags a pot, or "good bet" when I fold. If I'm talking with someone, I'll get their name, and give them mine. I crack jokes.

I've found that rec-fish will tend to bluff-catch more against the wannabe pros at the table, but they don't mind surrendering to someone they view as a new friend. Whereas the TAG-reg will never tell them they made a good fold, I will.

I do everything I can to make the fish feel at ease. It's all about getting them to relax and loosen up.

But no way in hell will I ever soft-play them by lowering my aggression level. If I'm at a table with a bunch of old nits, and they're grumbling about my aggression, eff them. Let them move to a different table. Good luck finding a passive table with no one raising or 3B'ing at 2/5.

A long time ago I used to go to video game conventions, and everyone there were complete *******s. Started going to board game cons and everyone was nice. Then i realized why, its because video game matchmaking will let you play no matter how much of a jerk you are, but you cant play board games unless someone wants you there.

The same is true for poker, but try and be someone that others enjoy being there. I personally dont think you should have to change your game at all to accomplish this.

As far as how to act between hands, forget giving information, the best players at the table talk about anything BUT gambling. Ask people questions about their hobbies, what theyve been up to, their job, whatevers on their shirt or hat or card protector. Let them do the talking, let the fish have fun, they are paying you for your company for gods sakes.

Also, for me personally, the most important things at poker are

1) be at least break even and have fun. If this isnt true im not playing.

Distant #2) win money.

Unless youre the next doug polk, if you try hard enough to win $50+/hr at poker, you could probably find a way to make 50+ an hour much easier.

If your playing to win money from the fish then you don't want to drive off the fish. You don't have to be chatty but don't be the silent grinder with headphones either. If they want to talk about something other then poker try to at least follow along. If they want to talk about poker try to nicely tell them how unlucky they are too lose so constantly.
The only time I change my play is if there is a specific whale I don't want to drive away. If I know the whale is getting angry and likely to leave then I will fold some marginal situations preflop and on the flop that I might have called. The goal is to give them enough time to calm down and put some more money in the game.
Against a group this doesn't work, it's too hard to know when to back off and against a group this would make you too passive anyways.

Occasionally raise with garbage and when people fold too tightly show it.

tldr

answer: no