Is Encouraging Bad Players Ethical?

[GoldenK1W1]

Greetings

Once in a 'blue-moon' I come across a juicy game with players who obviously have no business being at a poker table.

I have found that when I enhance a bad players self-esteem and stroke their ego's they tend to continue donating their chips to me.

A couple of examples ...

Example 1: When bad players 'lose' a hand against me I say something like, "Wow, you played that really well ... you just got unlucky".

Example 2: When I let bad players 'win' a small pot against me I say something like, "Wow, you really outplayed me then. I can't believe I fell for that".

Usually when I encounter such players, I strategically take down the big pots and give away the blinds or small pots (even if I have to muck the better hand) so I can keep them in the game much longer.

I believe that Poker is a game of deception.

Where would you 'draw' the line?

Is encouraging bad players ethical?

Blessings - GoldenK1W1

[hojediade]

Hi,

IMO, encouraging bad players is ok.
I sometimes feel like i'm the bad player and that everyone at the table wants me to keep on play.
I'm sure if you ask around, some will come and say how is it cool to have weak players in a game, no matter if it's ring games or MTTs. Plus, if they are willing to improve their skills, bad players have to keep on play.
Encourage me next time will meet so that i keep on play with you at 4kp games.

[brickmason13]

You didnt say but are you playing cash games or tournies???? I would say in tournies what you are doing would probably work but in cash games you are dead wrong its ethical alright but the players will catch on to what you are doing unless your skills are above average your bank roll will suffer.

[scrawnybob]

hi

I would say that definately avoiding bad bitching and having a go at players is definately +EV

not sure if I would take it so far as to massage their ego as much as the OP suggested but I would definately 100% congratulate a badly played NH if I got dealt a badbeat I DONT bitch about it or put off the player from playing a similar hand as badly

thats where you get your money back and some IMHO

whereas if you point out how terrible their play was there is a danger they will actually learn something and not make that same mistake again

so I guess I would actively bullsh*t a bad player - but when I'm at their table that they choose to be at I'm certainly not their person instructor or their bankroll guide ;-)

cheers scrawnybob

[offshoregamstr]

I dont see it as being a problem. If it helps you win hands why not. Its the ones you piss off that will try and take your blinds or become river rats.

[darlo]

Yeah I'm fine with that. If people want to play poker they have to understand that we will do what we can to win (to a degree of course), so shouldn't listen to people buttering them up. That's something they need to learn while still playing for points.

[ennotserp]

Not only can you profit from it, but also, keep an eye out for other players who are doing the same thing - they are probably decent players who are also aware of the situation. A donk who loses will more than likely bad mouth you than encourage you.

[spowers454]

Man it's all good. Boost their egos hurt their feelings and at times question their sexuality anything is ethical to me when there is money on the line. Private tournies I play nice in but cash table play no telling what I will say. Depends on my mood and what I think will cause more stupid moves on their part. I'm not sitting there to make a friend I am sitting there to make a few bucks. Example, On doyles I believe a few days ago and there was a loud mouth trash talking and running off all the newbies cause one or two sucked out on him. First I tried to get him to calm down and pretty much stop scaring off the fish. He just keeps going, "but he called with bottom pair and rivered me, he has no buissnes playing poker..." So I decided to ask him how his g** prostitute buissnes was working out. Offensive, YES I know. But Got a lol out of the guys he was chewing out and them and their money stuck around for a while and a decent little bit became mine. As an added bonus, the guy I pissed of started going all-in on me every hand we played together, no worries, don't bluff and waited till I had QQ and he pushed, insta-call, ship it. He left broke. I have also do what you are talking about and been overly nice to donks when they get lucky, all the while thinking "do it again moron and I will own you". No rules when money is on the line. Poker is a game of lying and deception so why would you think it is wrong to use either to your advantage? Use anything to throw them off their game or if they are a weak player do anything to keep them in that weak donating game they have.

[zzzzisme]

i have read in a few poker books, that the idea of berating or discouraging is very counter productive. also helping or teaching poor players is not very wise. one constant in any teachings i have read or seen is too prey on the weak. if your not breaking rules alls fair

[timtnt]

The cheetah would never teach the gazelle to run faster. So I would never belittle someones play not wanting them to try and improve, but see nothing wrong with a little stroking of bad players.