Quote:
Originally Posted by pfapfap
Work on THIS.
At a casino, most players are there to have a good time. They want to feel smart and powerful and in control. They are often escaping whatever it is that causes them stress at home. Give them what they want.
Be friendly, be outgoing. Be somebody that people enjoy having at the table. If you're less fun at the table than an empty seat, then they don't want you there. At least an empty seat doesn't take their chips.
You are not a poker COMPETITOR. That puts you on the same level, and it's not smart to play with people as good as you are. You are a poker PROPRIETOR. You are providing poker-themed entertainment, and your customers are paying you for your services.
If you can become the nice, gregarious, fun, happy guy at the table, then people will want to have you around. They'll want you to like them. They'll start soft-playing you. They'll call with weaker hands than they should. They'll TELL YOU how they play. And, most importantly, they'll tell you how they view YOUR PLAY.
This is FAR more valuable than being quiet and reserved and looking for facial tics. Information comes in many forms. Mirrored sunglasses are the opposite direction from where you should be headed.
+1, couldn't agree more. The most profitable players I have gotten to know have been the nicest guys at the table.
Talkative, but not annoying.
Funny, but not hysterical.
Smiling, but not grining.
Competitive, but not grim.
Generous, but not arrogant.
Drinking, but not drunk.
Knowledgeable, but not know-it-all
This list obv could be continued.
One final thing: Don't be nitty about your money. Play a limit where you can burn 800 BB in one night and not start to whine. If you lose a stack for a bad beat and manage to be funny about it, money is gonna come back faster than you can say "d'ou".