This isn't exactly a srat question, but these are questions that people often ask in 1/2 NL games. I often struggle with how to stay friendly in my response and if giving away some information is better than being "Mr. Serious" and blending in with everyone else.

1) What did you have?

2) What would you have done with this? (shows me their hand)

3) Is this what you do for a living?

4) WHAT do you do for a living? ( I really don't want to share this)

5) Do you want to check it down?


There are probably a few more, but these are common questions that I really don't know what the best answer is to still appear friendly while still being cutthroat.

1) "I'm sorry Johnny, I don't remember."

2) "tough call"

3) "I sure hope not, I'd starve"

4) "I'm a Christmas Tree farmer/Zeppelin Inspector/etc."

5) "No."

Number five is the only one I worry about answering truthfully. I usually tell the truth about what I do, as I'm not a full-time player, but if I lie I do it outrageously. I once went on for 15 minutes about how everybody asks me about the damn Goodyear Blimp, and don't the realize that's not a zeppelin?

1) ignore
2) see 1
3-5) no longer asked

1) let's be honest between all the booze and all the drugs who can really remember what they had more than 5 seconds ago.

2) I like to throw chips in the center and just see what happens. Worst thing that happens if you're behind they just have to suck out.

3) I'd probably kill myself if I did this for a living. I enjoyed a lot and I play a lot, but variety is the spice of life.

4) awww come on now you haven't even bought a girl our first drink. Don't you think this is getting kind of serious kind of quick?

5) didn't we all come here to gamble? Let's have some fun with it.

These answers obviously aren't any more right than Garrick's answers. But the real trick in my opinion is just to say anything that response to their question and joke about it without getting all serious about it.

1) Pay per view

2) I would've raised

3) No

4) I'm in claims

5) No

1) I don't talk during the hand
2) I bull****
3) I bull****
4) I bull****
5) See below

I usually do what Angelo says. I 100% talk before/after the hand and shoot the breeze and bull**** like everyone else. I never talk strat, unless I'm giving horrible advise. I don't talk during the hand, with the exception of 5 for special circumstances. I respond, "If I give an answer, is that what well do?" Yes or no is the only acceptable answer and then i shut back up again during the hand.

The special circumstances are for known, regular whales and/or for my 'gypsy friend' (you know the guys, furry, couple of shirt buttons undone, big bellys, lots of jewelry, says, "my friend, my friend" the one that you want to 100% play against because he is the fish and loves to gamble.) I do this because they will play against me in the future due to actions like this (and blind chopping).

1) I usually lie about my hand.

2) If I think they played incorrectly, I will say "Well played, I would have done exactly the same.".

3) NO! I play for fun.

4) If you really don't want them to know, just make **** up.

5) Normally it means weakness, so my answer is mostly NO.

Depending on the opponents, if answering their questions will make the game more friendly/lively, I would give them a response. If it was a d**khead or someone I don't like, I will just ignore them.

For example: if it was a bunch of tourists who joined the game trying to have some fun, by all means have a conversation with them to keep them in the game. They are there for a good time not to play with a bunch of intimidating/boring looking people. Otherwise, they won't stay long and will not rebuy into the game if they happen to lose all their money in their first few hands.

Ultimately, it is up to you.

1. Treeps

2. Shove, play for stacks.

3. Thank god no.

4. Play 1/2 full time. (just to mix it up with #3).

5. Not a chance.

Edit: actually one of the funnest things to do at llsnl IMO is to be whoever you want. You'll never see the people again so just be/do whatever. I have so many great memories of saying things like "Oh yea, I'm a particle physicist" or "I study ancient Egyptian art" or some other ****.

1. I probably had exactly what you think I had. (This allows you to turn the question around...what do you think I had?)

2. I don't know, wasn't paying close enough attention to the betting

3. Hah!

4. Guess...

5. Just answer it. If you're happy to check it down, ok. If not, just you'd rather not. I don't see this much except in home games.

1) I had you, good fold.

2) I would have done the same.

3) I wish I was that good.

4) I'm an entrepreneur (I actually heard this not too long ago when a guy in a 1K max 2/5 game milking a $200 stack was asked this question)

5) I can't yet, let's just see the flop

1. I had a strong hand.

2. Tough spot.

3. No.

4. I tell them; think it is a positive approach in fostering a friendly table.

5. No, unless a friend of mine.

#1 is pretty common. I mix it up. Truth w/wo showing, half truths, lies, smiles and silence. Haven't encountered 2-4 weirdly enough. People have showed folded hands to me (trying to get a reaction / read?) but never any accompanying verbal. #5 is just wrong. Have never heard it verbally and hope never to in a hand I'm involved in.

#1) "I'll never teeelllllll..."

#2) "I don't know, man. I don't really pay much attention."

#3) "LOL (real laughter), no." <---- tru

#4) I tell them.

#5) I don't think I've ever been asked this. The only thing similar is a "cheezeburger" when someone trying for a bad beat rather than a chop.

1) What did you have?

I thought it was "Sorry John, I don't remember." Not Johnny. Anyways, I use that.

Against players who play I don't have much respect for: "I can't tell you that! You're too good of a player for me to give you, and the rest of the table, that info for free!" - Hopefully it makes them feel comfortable about the way they're playing.

2) What would you have done with this? (shows me their hand)
"I honestly can't say. It depends on my mood."
Or: "What was your plan? It all depends on the plan." -extracting more info from him.

3) Is this what you do for a living?
"I'd rather stock shelves in the grocery store @ Wal-Mart, than try & make a livin' playing 1/2NL."

4) WHAT do you do for a living? ( I really don't want to share this)
"I am a kept man. All I have to do is give my wife enough sex so that the Viagra bottle is empty when it's eligible for a refill" - I'm 61.

You could say: "All I have to do is keep the house clean."

5) Do you want to check it down?
"That's no fun! Anyways, it's against house rules."

I actually think that this is a really good thread topic, because social interaction with the table is a huge portion of how the recs play against us.

1) What did you have?

"pocket aces. every hand, pocket aces" it cracks the old dudes up and it drives the young grinders crazy. guaranteed to get incite some spewage from some of the younger hoody and earphones crowd

2) What would you have done with this? (shows me their hand)

actually depends on what I would have done in that situation.

3) Is this what you do for a living?

laugh, followed by "hardly"

4) WHAT do you do for a living? ( I really don't want to share this)

"IT" which is actually true

OP - are you really grinding 1/2 for a living? that is ****ing torture dude. 2/5 maybe, but damn.

5) Do you want to check it down?

almost without hesitation, I never do, unless I have a really weak flush draw, or two unders and a gutter, some kind of really crappy draw that I don't want to semibluff with. but as a practice, I only will check it down with cute Asian women and old nitty rich guys.

1. if i like them i usually tell them, if not i ignore them
2. i tell them what i wouldve done
3. "yeah"
4. "this"
5. sometimes i will, but usually just ignore them