Our local home game is a fairly splashy 1/1 NLHE, (buy-ins of $100-200, with basically no cap for rebuys later). We have a pretty good mix of experienced regs, and some guys who show up occasionally.
Thursday evening, there was a situation between an experienced player, and a very inexperienced new guy. "Reggie the Reg" is in his 50's with plenty of disposable income (will often be in for $1000+), and lots of experience playing live poker. He's generally great to have in the game, both socially and for action. "Newman the Newb" is mid-20's, and has only played in our game a handful of times. I'm not sure if he had ever played live poker before joining us. Very passive in general, sometimes doesn't pay attention to the action, still not sure of rules or etiquette, but very pleasant. He has lost a few buy-ins the couple times I've played with him, but tonight he's up a little.
Reggie and Newman are in a hand, about $200 in the pot and Newman jams on the river for ~$100. Reggie goes into the tank, and is talking, as he often does in this situation. He offers Newman $5 to show a card, but Newman is confused. He then says "will you show a card for $25", to which Newman says yes, but still seems unsure what is happening. Reggie throws him a $25 chip, but Newman looks around questioningly. We explained that Reggie wants him to turn one of his cards over for info, but Newman thought he meant he was folding and the was paying just to see the one card. We explain that he doesn't have to show, and can return the chip to Reggie, who is a bit bugged, because they had a "gentlemen's agreement" and we interfered. We told Reggie that he clearly didn't understand what's going on, and to let it go.
After some more tanking, Reggie turns over his cards to try to get a reaction. Again confused, Newman begins to turn his cards over, thinking Reggie had called. Our host who was sitting near Newman, said no, and physically stopped him from turning over his cards. We had to explain what was happening to Newman. At this point, Reggie is pissed at us for interfering, but we told him for the sake of the game, it's better for us to protect the new player. Reggie eventually folded, and Newman showed his hand, which was a better flush than Reggie's. He complained a little bit more, but didn't push back too hard.
Obviously, at a casino, it would be different, but did we do right by inserting ourselves in the interaction? Did Reggie have a right to be pissed?
Thursday evening, there was a situation between an experienced player, and a very inexperienced new guy. "Reggie the Reg" is in his 50's with plenty of disposable income (will often be in for $1000+), and lots of experience playing live poker. He's generally great to have in the game, both socially and for action. "Newman the Newb" is mid-20's, and has only played in our game a handful of times. I'm not sure if he had ever played live poker before joining us. Very passive in general, sometimes doesn't pay attention to the action, still not sure of rules or etiquette, but very pleasant. He has lost a few buy-ins the couple times I've played with him, but tonight he's up a little.
Reggie and Newman are in a hand, about $200 in the pot and Newman jams on the river for ~$100. Reggie goes into the tank, and is talking, as he often does in this situation. He offers Newman $5 to show a card, but Newman is confused. He then says "will you show a card for $25", to which Newman says yes, but still seems unsure what is happening. Reggie throws him a $25 chip, but Newman looks around questioningly. We explained that Reggie wants him to turn one of his cards over for info, but Newman thought he meant he was folding and the was paying just to see the one card. We explain that he doesn't have to show, and can return the chip to Reggie, who is a bit bugged, because they had a "gentlemen's agreement" and we interfered. We told Reggie that he clearly didn't understand what's going on, and to let it go.
After some more tanking, Reggie turns over his cards to try to get a reaction. Again confused, Newman begins to turn his cards over, thinking Reggie had called. Our host who was sitting near Newman, said no, and physically stopped him from turning over his cards. We had to explain what was happening to Newman. At this point, Reggie is pissed at us for interfering, but we told him for the sake of the game, it's better for us to protect the new player. Reggie eventually folded, and Newman showed his hand, which was a better flush than Reggie's. He complained a little bit more, but didn't push back too hard.
Obviously, at a casino, it would be different, but did we do right by inserting ourselves in the interaction? Did Reggie have a right to be pissed?
Yeah this is bullshit. However, I don’t think the angling player is the most evil person in the world. Poker at your stakes gets competitive but I would totally be okay to walk your newbie thru what happened and assist as you did.
