So I have been thinking about this a lot recently and I figured it was about time to post and get some thoughts/feedback. I apologize if this belongs more into the Poker Psychology forum instead.


Anyway since August or so, my local poker rooms have reopened and have adopted 6 handed play, mask enforcement, but no dividers.

I have found that most of my sessions have tended to consist of the following two types of tables; quiet (like dead silent), and tables that have started out quiet but over an hour or two have turned into a more chatty, enjoyable, and more light-hearted in nature. The level of play varies obviously regardless of table dynamics, but I cant' help but notice that my enjoyment/success has come from playing in the more talkative/enjoyable tables.


Please note that my sessions usually take place mid-day during the weekends, and some early afternoons during the week.

Long story short I am wondering and seek advice on the following;

1. How can you get your table to open up more (i.e chatting about anything)?
2. Does a friendlier game create a more loose atmosphere?
3. How to stay 'focused' on a more quiet/tight table.
4. Should you be chopping blinds in a 6, sometimes 5 handed poker game?


I also have noticed that playing 1/3 over 1/2 has also lead to more enjoyable tablemates. Is there a reason for this?

Again I apologize for the 'naiveness' of this question I just thought I would point this observation out.

Let the roasting commence.

See above. I love talking and interacting at the poker table. One of the things I love about poker.

Edit: Keep in mind that I am a middle-aged woman. Not sure if that makes a difference or not, but I do get people talking. Probably easier for me to get people to open up than it is for a young guy, but I could be wrong.

OP you play at Boston Billiards, right? I also noticed that 1/3 games there tended to be friendlier than 1/2. I think it's because 1/2 (being the smallest game in the room) tends to attract both (1) nitty old people and (2) mid-20s-scumbag types who really can't afford to be gambling and are hoping to "hit" (and get pissed when they lose $100) -- neither of which are very fun to play with. 1/3 is a good intermediate between avoiding these people, while also avoiding the backpack-iPhone-hoodie guys who tend to play 2/5+.

+1 to what Java said


also note

you don't need to engage everyone

a conversation with one person soon has others listening in and then they will eventually hear something they comment on and now they're involved .

even a table of nits is more fun when its lighthearted.

I'm a sixty yr old man and still find something to talk about with the
twenty-something hoodies ;

I do play at Boston Billiards, and I have noticed that for the most part the 1/3 crowd is more enjoyable than the 1/2 as well.

I have also noticed that at 1/2 I am the one that overtime at a table becomes the 'table villain' (opening more often/floating) while at 1/3 I tend to focus on playing 'against' the table villain.

I have also noticed that at 1/3 at BB the player pool can make folds/bluff at a higher rate (also pay more attention) than the players at 1/2 idk if Im imaging that but I thought it was noteworthy,

Back to the comment about reading books - I have thought of that in the past or even watching a movie on my phone to pass the time, but I feel like once you pause the movie/put the book down your essentially telegraphing to others that you have a hand. I think listening to a podcast would be better.

I put my phone down (I read a book) for every hand and pick it back up if I fold. I never pick it up if I'm in a hand; therefore, the phone doesn't give anything away.

I try to always pay attention to what's going on, even when reading. I don't like having headphones in, so listening to a podcast/movie doesn't work for me -- I'm rare in that respect, I know.

Being talkative and friendly is always helpful.

Yesterday I was talking to the guy next to me. We got into a hand together and after some action he bet $22 on the river. I said nice bet you have me in a tough spot. He shows me flopped A’s up. I show him my naked A, fold and tap the table. Not life changing obviously but I would have paid him off otherwise.

1. Lead the way, try to engage others in genuine and moderately interesting conversation. Ask questions, but don't push too hard if people aren't open to talking. Most of the time people are happy to chat, but often just need some help to get the conversation going. Don't be offended though if someone is reticent. Many poker players have horrific social skills, so you will run into these people too, don't let it bother you.

2. Yes, a friendlier game often plays looser preflop. Sometimes this translates to postflop looseness, but not always.

3. I don't like the 'read a book' approach for me, as I struggle enjoying and concentrating on my reading while switching back and forth from poker. Also, when reading it is difficult to follow the play and analyze players tendencies and develop ranges for them. I prefer to listen to music. I will take my headphones off if the table moves to being chatty.

4. Doesn't matter either way. I don't like a table that chops regularly when shorthanded, as it is an incentive for players to play tighter preflop. But just don't mess up a table vibe one way or another is best imo.

Bonus Answer: $1/3 is more enjoyable than $1/2 probably 'cuz the players there are either more experienced or better rolled. One of the WORST features of the $1/2 game that I've played is the absolutely miserable, miserly, maddening habit of players who are addicts or broke who come and sit with $50 and play mega tight throwing tantrums when they lose, or don't get paid off when they find a nut.

I've found that when you move up in stakes this issue goes away, and makes a huge difference to the enjoyment of the game. Sure there are more grinders who just tune everyone out at $2/5, but you will also find more players who are there because they enjoy the game and want to have a good time. Just my $0.02.

If I'm at a table and someone has earbuds/headphones, I don't try to engage them, so I'm not sure how wearing them can help loosen the table up unless you are just waiting for someone else to do it (That would be me!)

If you are going to cover your ears, it kind of makes the hole table-engagement discussion moot.

1. Asking questions is a good conversation starter. People like to talk about themselves. React to what they say in as genuine a way as possible. Pause the conversation while hands are playing, if possible. But in particular, don't talk "across" someone that's in a hand. Talkative is great but be respectful of the action.

2. Sure, I guess. Wacky games tend to be more talkative but I've played murderous games that were pretty chatty.

3. Staying focused *at anything* is no small task. Read some Tommy Angelo, imho. His book is good but if you can find the audio for "The Eightfold Path to Poker Enlightment" from DeucesCracked, you'll be well rewarded. It takes practice. For example, Tommy recommends counting your breaths. Literally, how many breaths can you count before losing track? If it's 10, try getting to 20. It's not that you need to know how many breaths, it's just practice at focusing, being present.

4. You chop if the rake is too high to beat HU. Your games definitely qualify. If you get a break on the rake at 6h or 5h and you have reason to believe you can beat the lower rake, playing BvB can be ok. But even discounted rake can be hard to beat from the blinds at these stakes.

Without a beatable rake, you need a good reason to keep playing. It could be a great game that rarely folds to the blinds, for example. You could be having a good time and don't mind taking the loss from the blinds. The guy on your left might be a terrible nit.

Totally agree that friendly talkative tables are much more profitable if you are friendly and willing to be a little loose with your money. I have been playing for ten years now and almost always get great action and fish just love playing with me. For one thing, I never try to make big moves on the fish for all their chips. I splash around with a few check raises on the flop but almost always a min raise weather i have the nuts or a draw. I always show my cards to the player after the hand especially if they made a hero call. I will bluff lots of rivers when a flush hits and also value bet those rivers when i make the nut flush. But i keep the bets small so they call me most of the time. I will often bluff 20 into 120 dollar pot on the river when I know i am beat. I never do this stuff when I am loosing, only when I am up a comfortable amount. But it helps with your table image and i find it pays off in many ways. I can make more thin value bets and I sometimes pick up a 120 dollar pot with a 20 dollar bluff. But advertising to keep a light and loose image is the best way to get the table moor lively and interactive. I think we spend too much time focusing on optimal game strategy to try and extract moor value at higher stakes against more skilled opponents. But lower stakes players come to have fun and don't mind loosing two or three hundred over 3-4 hours. Just don't force them to make a big decision for all their chips. That is a HUGE blunder as they will often start playing tighter against you. I have seen them refuse to play when a certain tricky player enters a pot in front of them. I have even seen them change tables to get away from those overly aggressive players. In the end those overly aggressive players are hurting their bottom line. Obviously I play tighter and better against many of the seasoned regulars, but when it is heads up or three way with me and two fish, I keep my bets small and call with more of my drawing hands because they are often scared I have a better made hand and they end up letting me draw with good pot odds.

Yes 1-2 and 5-10 tend to be less social. At 5-10 players are more focused on the action as they are playing deep and have a lot more money at risk. At 1-2 you are usually up against players who are trying to turn their 50 dollar weekly paycheck into 200 so they can pay their light bill since they lost their last two paychecks doing the same thing. The 1-3 games tend to be players who have good paying jobs who don't mind dropping 100 on going out to eat or golfing. They come for the entertainment and expect to loose 2 out of 3 times but are tickled when they have a good run at the table and leave up two or three hundred for the session.

One of the nicer things about higher limits is the higher rebuy. 1/3 you have people rebuying for 33 blinds whereas 3/5 the min where I play is 60bb. A big part of 1/3 is knowing where the short stacks are.