berate - be right
 

Generally, I don't get into it with whiners and idiots at the tables. However, I have recently made the mistake of dueling a couple of whiners and quickly realized that it is about as useful as yelling at the TV when Spinger is on.

Do you ever lock horns with people?

I can't believe the number of players that berate others for their bad play. It seems like a bad financial move. If a player is chasing draws and playing badly, I don't want to draw attention to the fact. I'd rather say "nice hand" and let him think he is, and will continue to be a very 'lucky' player.

I really wonder how effective it is to try and put people "on tilt" as a regular thing. Mike the Mouth is a great example, except he is the one who is easily tiltable.

Do you just avoid this, or is mixing it up in the chat bar part of the entertainment value?

I'd especially like to hear from the players who play at higher limits and in bigger tournaments. (I've already seen the garbage flying around at the micro limits ;))

I never start it, but I have been known to go off a time or two or 100 under the right circumstances.

It's usually when a decent-but-not-NEARLY-as=good-as-he-thinks-he-is guy starts shit with me... I just can help myself from being a smart ass and pointing out how stupid he is. This generally end up being +EV if I had to guess, because the "other guy" tilts easier than I do, and he'll often start gunning for me.

The other times I'll get into it with someone is when he starts berating the table fish. I don't like this very much, so I'll usually go off on that guy and get him to focus his attention on me, rather than on the reason I am sitting at the table.

In live games, I'm a very friendly player... but as soon as someone at the table is a dick - to me or anyone else - or starts walking that fine poker etiquette line and bending rules, I'm the first to speak up.

I'm generally a very peaceful, friendly type of guy, but I can think of at least 3 times when I damn near got into a fist fight at a poker table: Home Game circa 2004, Borgata Open 2006 ($1000 satellite AND a cash game later - same asshole), and a WSOP cash game in 2007 (this one wasn't close to coming to blows from MY end, but I REALLY tilted this guy who was being a complete jackass - it was awesome). I think I've posted about at least two of those incidents on here, but don't feel like looking for them.

My advice: Don't get into it with anyone. If you want to though, look for the guys who are berating the fish and get into it with them. It's fun, if nothing else.

Usually my low wit only sets me on tilt when the other person out disses me so I try to refrain from verbally berating.

The only time I get into is if someone is tapping the tank. Then I usually get into fast and hard just to ensure that the moron stops berating the fish and starts berating me. Then, usually, the fish takes my money and leaves and the guy talking smack types in chat "see, told you". Rinse and Repeat.

Mine tonight came as a result of beating the same guy 2 hands in a row.

I turn a boat, raise his bet and get "you gonna bluff me, idiot?" and a then a fold.

Very next hand he doubles me up with his bottom set as I hold middle set. The "luckbox" comments start flying, and I had had enough of his whinning.

I gave it up after a while and just kept taking his money.

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I can be surrounded by it, and it can even be directed at me. It only bugs me when I dive in. (I usually just smile and agree with them)