Rather skin 'em or shear 'em? (1 Viewer)

[Teach42]

A friend invites you to play with his group of buddies. After just a few rounds, you can VERY clearly tell that these guys are amateurs. They're calling to the river with a high card king, and just checking down when they have the nuts. You're playing low stakes and it's the first time you're playing with them.

How do you play it?

 

[LotsOfChips]

A friend invites you to play with his group of buddies. After just a few rounds, you can VERY clearly tell that these guys are amateurs. They're calling to the river with a high card king, and just checking down when they have the nuts. You're playing low stakes and it's the first time you're playing with them.

How do you play it?

Do you want to be invited back?

 

[tabletalker7]

Take their money. Do your best to ensure that they are having a good time, and don't take the last of their money until 5 hours or more have past. That way they had a good time and want you to come back, so you do it all over again. (Rounders quote) As Canada Bill Jones said "It's immoral to let a sucker keep his money"

 

[allforcharity]

What is the difference between skinning and shearing in this context?

 

[BGinGA]

I play to win.

 

[Teach42]

What is the difference between skinning and shearing in this context?

Shearing is deliberately not taking them for all you could. Making some money, but not going out of your way to take people's entire stack.

Skinning is running the table.

 

[detroitdad]

I'm going to try and take every dime that they have. While I'm doing it. We'll laugh, socialize, and have a good time.

 

[GenghisKhan]

And while you're deliberately min raising to not empty their wallet, they're hitting runner runner and took all yours. But at least you met knew people and had fun lol.

To answer your question, this happened to me the first few times with a new group.
Beginning and middle of night I was killing it and way up. The last hour, I called a few show downs where my top pair was surely beat and gave a bit back. Never regretted it.

Now that I'm in 100% with that group, no more mercy lol.

Not saying what I did initially is the right way. But the last thing they remembered at the end of the night is I did not sit on my chips. I'm not afraid to call with top pair or even 2nd pair to try to catch a bluff. And that yes, I always have something if I'm calling or raising lol.

Good times.
Did I say they took me for everything I had?

 

[allforcharity]

All the money on the table is up for grabs. Everybody at the table knows what they're risking. I say always play your best game. There should always be positive vibes, regardless. If there's negative vibes, I won't care if I'm ever invited back, because I'd voluntarily withdraw.

 

[Mongoose]

The old saying, you can skin a sheep only once but you can sheer them many times. I think that’s the way it goes?

 

[Marc Hedrick]

I'm going to try and take every dime that they have. While I'm doing it. We'll laugh, socialize, and have a good time.

This, exactly.

If they lose their money, maybe they'll figure out why and maybe they won't. It's more about the experience than the money for me, but part of the experience is playing to the best of my ability while enjoying a social night out.

 

[detroitdad]

The old saying, you can skin a sheep only once but you can sheer them many times. I think that’s the way it goes?

Maybe.........Its more fun if you try to win their car, their house, their wive's, ect....

 

[Coyote]

You may be so bad a "good" player yourself that, while honestly trying to just shear them, you inadvertently end up skinning them

 

[upNdown]

I have definitely given away a pot or two when I was crushing at a home game where they never had a chance. It’s literally only happened once or twice. But if I think it’s good for the game? Of course.

 

[TX_Golf_N_Poker]

Almost everyone I've ever played with is an amateur. Hell, I'M an amateur!!! If by amateur you mean not experienced in playing a lot of tournaments or doesn't go to professional card rooms or casinos regularly, or play regular high dollar home games with other skilled players. In my experience, amateurs mostly play tournament style home games. Anyone who's regularly playing cash games is at least a step above an amateur. But they may still be fish, or sheep, going with the original analogy. So regardless, no matter how big you win, I think most of these sheep are going to just assume you got lucky. They're not sophisticated enough to recognize skillful play over luck. So go ahead and take 'em! They'll invite you back anyway, just to get another shot at you.

Maybe don't shuffle chips or try to MAKE yourself look like a pro. But still play your best.

 

[shorticus]

Not taking their money is doing them a disservice. Win, be polite, and have a good time. If they are playing within their means, they will appreciate having another good person to add to their group. In my experience most people are just there to have a good time.

So am I, but it’s more fun to win lol.

 

[FiveThous]

I got invited to a new circle of players in college. I had played with one of the guys in our freshman door. Fast forward a couple years and I was significantly improved and steamrolling these guys. I was probably around 100 off my $20 buyin when people stopped reloading. I started playing weaker holdings to give some money back. Still ended up like $30-$40 with the thought that they would think I ran hot early. Never heard back from that group of guys again. Since then, I'm playing for every chip at the table as if it's the only time I'll play at that game.

I'm never an asshole, I won't berate players, I'll laugh and tell the occasional joke but I'm there to win money.

 

[Frogzilla]

Crush them but in a friendly way. If the table is super amateurish I would let some of the mechanics things slide. For instance, they throw out 1 chip but looks like they want to raise, I’d ask them their intention and let the raise stand even if I prefer call

As to soft play though, I would be looking for tendencies and trying to exploit the hell out of them

 

[Gobbs]

I've never run across a circumstance in which there was an excuse to not play my best poker.

 

[Blind Medium]

I play like I know what I'm doing & hope i can find a ride home at the end of the night.
Baaaaa