Etiquette as host being the big winner? (2 Viewers)

[SixSeven]

Simple question - If you are far and away the big winner at a home cash game you are hosting, halfway or deep into the game, is there an etiquette to not making a big deal of it? Or is it preferred to act nonchalant? There are players are losing, and some maybe big. Don't want to make them feel bad. Suggestions? Thx!

 

[detroitdad]

As Barry Sanders used to say, "act like you have been there before".

 

[NotRealNameNoSir]

Definitely nonchalant. Games will be all different, some competitive games will thrive on the "kill-the-host" mentality where you're all out for blood and players love the hunt, but most games need players that aren't good to keep showing up and losing. I want my games to be friendly and I make sure to play gambly when needed to keep the game fun; I still win, but I'm not rubbing it in anyone's faces and I'll call a few small bets more. If someone says "Wow, you're doing well!" do the usual poker bullshit, yeah lucky night, catching cards, etc.


If the host is inviting people over then gloating when sending them away its an issue; even if I'm just insulting a good friend who I know can take it, if I'm doing that in front of a losing player that's steaming, I can't blame them for not coming back. Poker table is an ecosystem, figure your table's niche out and fill it. Some games need a talkative action-driver, others need a stable rules-lawyer, whatever works, do it all if your players prefer.

Suggestion wise, don't be a dick? Lol, looks different for every game but read the room. Keep the food and drink flowing, and don't count your stack obviously/in front of people that lost big and for God's sakes, never rathole your buyin to the side if you want to be invited back. I'll know what I have in my stack but I'll count it and put it away after people leave. In the extreme cases where I'm up big and hosting, I'll sweeten the next pot after winning a big hand with a few extra bucks and just say "let's keep it flowing". Worst worst worst thing you can do is start giving tips and strategies to losing players at the table. If they come ask for some sure, talk shop, explain what a hand looks like in your mind, but its not the time or place to do that while you're piling their chips. That changes the night from fun gambling with friends, to them losing because they're making bad decisons.

 

[TheBigTater]

Shouldn't matter whether you hosting or not. Being a obnoxious winner is bad etiquette just as bad as being a poor loser.

Someone has to win, someone has to lose. Have some humility and take it in stride either way.

 

[Josh Kifer]

Don't be a bad loser, don't be a bad winner. Keep Grace in both spots.

 

[Bacon Dad]

Poker table is an ecosystem

Great description and 100% true!


You must be a scientist.

 

[CraigT78]

You guys have this problem??

 

[SixSeven]

You guys have this problem??

This happened to me for the first time last night. I've won big before, but not had the focus on me for doing so, much in the past. I got wound up in a little happiness of it due to that and felt that after everyone had left, maybe I'd been too cheerful about it. I thought it would be good to check with the more experienced for feedback. This has been good feedback so far.

 

[CraigT78]

This happened to me for the first time last night. I've won big before, but not had the focus on me for doing so, much in the past. I got wound up in a little happiness of it due to that and felt that after everyone had left, maybe I'd been too cheerful about it. I thought it would be good to check with the more experienced for feedback. This has been good feedback so far.

I don't win, lol.

 

[Josh Kifer]

I don't win, lol.

-50k

 

[Moxie Mike]

Simple question - If you are far and away the big winner at a home cash game you are hosting, halfway or deep into the game, is there an etiquette to not making a big deal of it? Or is it preferred to act nonchalant? There are players are losing, and some maybe big. Don't want to make them feel bad. Suggestions? Thx!

When I win the tournaments I host, I gloat hardcore a week later in the recap I send out. It's all in good fun

Spoiler: email from last week

Event #4 is in the books. Fate. Fortune. A Legend Reborn.​

They’ll sing songs about this one. The week when the universe aligned, Mercury was in retro-grade and fate took the wheel as one man luckboxed his way to eternal glory. Event #4 of season 12 wasn’t just a poker game—it was a cosmic reckoning, a manifestation of destiny wrapped in bad beats and miracle rivers. The league’s long-dormant host descended from his cash game perch, dusted off his poker chops, and proceeded to forever cement his legacy in the Moxie-Generacy record books.

Why the sudden return? Fate - as it turns out - works in mysterious ways. The cash game didn’t run because its usual cast of degenerates had other commitments—presumably attending underground Rubik’s Cube competitions or giving TED Talks on the art of procrastination. And Sandie? She was halfway to the game when disaster struck. Her husband, Bob Morris, reportedly sent a frantic, all-caps text after realizing his most “functional yet fashionable” swimwear (rumored to be neon green tankini with built-in lumbar support) was missing. With no other choice,

Sandie was forced to turn around at the last minute, regrettably leaving the league with an awkward number of players to start.

Enter your not-so-humble host. Never one to let the game stumble out of the gate, Moxie Mike recognized a duty to be fulfilled and gallantly sat in to fill the void left by the Elf's sudden absence, questioning his life choices along the way. Little did anyone know, The Poker Gods had big plans for this most fateful evening.






The Game Unfolds: A Masterclass in Adaptation and Favorable Fortunes

Crediting years of navigating the chaos of real poker mixed cash games, where players juggle 4, 5, 6 or even 7 hole cards at a time, the host made that goofy two-card game look like carnival fodder. The 'kiddy game' wasn't down the street on this night - no it was right here in the Moxie-Palazzo!

Calculated aggression and razor-sharp reads carried him through the night. But every great performance needs a little drama, and the occasional misstep was no exception. Enter the poker gods, who gleefully disregarded logic, reason and basic human decency while serving up one fortuitous river card after another at just the right moments, keeping the 9-time winner from the rail time and time again.

The Aftermath: The Poker Gods Smile Upon Moxie Mike!

When the final hand was dealt after a 45 minute heads up battle with Queen Alexis, the host had secured his place in the hallowed 10-Win Club, alongside Crown Royal Dave as the only two members in this exclusive group. A mix of skill and divine intervention carried him to the top, leaving the rest of the league's constituents shaking their heads in disbelief.

Yes - a cheesy picture to commemorate the occasion was absolutely necessary:

If only the winning hand had been a Queen and a 6
----

I was asked if I would be defending the Red Puck - only if there's no cash game. If so, it seems only fitting to put the bounty on Sandie since it's her fault I participated in the first place.

On Tuesday, to kick off the celebration of Event #4's most historic outcome we'll be having 10-topping pizzas brought in, and since we're anticipating a lower-than usual turnout for event #5, the break add on will include an extra 10k chips in a symbolic gesture commemorating the awesomeness that is all things Moxie Mike. We'll also throw some dogs on the roller if anyone wants them.

Tagging @GrindstonePoker since he knows some of these people in person.

In cash games it's another story... I say next to nothing other than maybe 'good playing with you - get home safe'. Last night I was in for $100 and out for $829 in a PLO/PLHE RxR, which by the end of the night was close to half the money on the table. About half the players left felted, so there's no reason to be obnoxious about it when they're already salty.

 

[CraigT78]

In my game, the big winners freely give the rest of us shit. Last night, a player ran his $220 buy-in up to almost $2k. The shit talking was free.

We've played together almost a decade though, I'm not going to poke a bear, but my guys take the smack talk pretty well, because next month it could be reversed.

 

[merkong]

Seems to me if people aren’t sure how to behave during big win and big loss situations this might be a “tip meet iceberg” kind of thing.

“Hey! Who ate my Lunchable I left in the break room fridge?”

“Oh, was that yours? I’m sorry man.”

***Workplace violence at an all time high as fisticuffs erupts today at local office. More at 11.***

 

[jxfan]

Shouldn't matter whether you hosting or not. Being a obnoxious winner is bad etiquette just as bad as being a poor loser.

Someone has to win, someone has to lose. Have some humility and take it in stride either way.

Agree 100% with this! It really doesn't matter if you are up as the host or as a guest, humility goes a long way. Remember, being up one night is just that - being up for one night; as the poker gods would have it, your fortune changes every week!

 

[pltrgyst]

As Barry Sanders used to say, "act like you have been there before".

Vince Lombardi, not some schmo from Detroit.

 

[BGinGA]

After winning a big pot, I do a war dance around the table while screaming like a banshee. Great for lightening the atmosphere.

 

[allforcharity]

After winning a big pot, I do a war dance around the table while screaming like a banshee. Great for lightening the atmosphere.

Is this before or after heading to the hot dog roller?

 

[Munchies11]

Shouldn't matter whether you hosting or not. Being a obnoxious winner is bad etiquette just as bad as being a poor loser.

Someone has to win, someone has to lose. Have some humility and take it in stride either way.

I agree! Unless you are playing with your close close buddies than nothing better than rubbing it in lol

 

[kwsteve]

I have not encountered this situation before.

 

[vozy]

I think being happy about it is okay but gloating about it will keep them from wanting to return to your home game. The goal is always to have a consistent home game with a full table and making a big deal about winning a lot as the host leaves a bad taste.

 

[SetToBean]

Occasional tournaments are great for this since the variance means that you'll rotate winners well enough unless the skill difference is just ridiculous (something I don't have to worry about) - in which case time to punt a bit for the good of the game

 

[upNdown]

As I just said in another thread, when you’re the host, the experience of your guests is the priority.
If you’ve got a table full of of buddies who like to slow roll and gloat and motherfuck each other, go for it. But it’s rarely that simple. Some people will be better hosts than others. All I can suggest is to pay attention. Treat your guests as guests, and if you want them to come back next time, try to act accordingly.

 

[Munchies11]

As I just said in another thread, when you’re the host, the experience of your guests is the priority.
If you’ve got a table full of of buddies who like to slow roll and gloat and motherfuck each other, go for it. But it’s rarely that simple. Some people will be better hosts than others. All I can suggest is to pay attention. Treat your guests as guests, and if you want them to come back next time, try to act accordingly.

Well said … Read the room!

 

[BarrieJ3]

As I just said in another thread, when you’re the host, the experience of your guests is the priority.
If you’ve got a table full of of buddies who like to slow roll and gloat and motherfuck each other, go for it. But it’s rarely that simple. Some people will be better hosts than others. All I can suggest is to pay attention. Treat your guests as guests, and if you want them to come back next time, try to act accordingly.

I mean, that’s the joy of not hosting. After stacking someone twice in a row all in with a smaller pair that hits, it’s not as uncouth to climb on your chair, extend your hands to the heavens, and yell “I am a god”.

 

[Highli99]

If I am up as a host or as guest, I will generally agree to any requested flips at the end of the game. At times that means giving back a chunk of winning, but I am happy to give the action and give folks a chance to get unstuck.

 

[wickedwonka121]

Just be cool and don't go for the throat. Anyone who is up big that starts bullying with big bets is not trying to have a friendly game, they just want the money. And that looks even worse when it's the host. If you want to gamble a little and make some bad calls to share the wealth, to each their own. If I'm up as the host I'll just play tight but not aggressive, and I'll ramp up the hosting, like recharge everyone drinks and such.

 

[bergs]

How the fuck would I know?!?

 

[Munchies11]

If I am up as a host or as guest, I will generally agree to any requested flips at the end of the game. At times that means giving back a chunk of winning, but I am happy to give the action and give folks a chance to get unstuck.

Haha I love the end of the game flips those are the best ! Amen brother

 

[Taghkanic]

I don’t think a host needs to play differently just because they are the host.

The etiquette of being a big winner ideally should be the same, too.

If your game involves a lot of razzing, the host can participate in that too in theory… Just have to gauge whether the group also sees it that way, I guess.

And presumably the OP isn’t winning big *every* session, right? So the occasional big win shouldn’t be such an issue.

In my own game really the only thing different for me as a player is that I have to stay to the end no matter what. I can’t leave if I’m running bad or just not feeling it. I could sit out, I suppose, but that would be odd.

This may result in me playing a bit more carefully and conservatively in my own game than in others just because I know I have to stick it out regardless of how I’m running.

 

[Munchies11]

That’s respectable. Yes I have been in situations I did not want to play further but I ended up playing more because of Fomo! Being a good host like you said you have to always cater to your players . It’s challenging but worth it ! A night away from the wife is the bonus for me haha