Bob: I concede that since I do not sit at poker tables, then I have little insight into all that you've pointed out. It does appear that there's a certain flow which needs to be continued in order to remain successful.
OTOH as a machine player for me there is no flow, and there is no purpose other than to win money before getting up to go. If I get dirty looks or even nasty comments after receiving what to the floor people turns out to be a non-productive handpay, or if my handpays take longer because I don't tip, it all means absolutely nothing to me. If, however, my purpose for being there was to have a good time and interact with others to enhance my overall experience, I would tip well & often.
--- In vpFREE@yahoogroups.com, "Bob Bartop" <bobbartop@...> wrote:
> With all due respect, Rob, you just don't know what you're talking about. I spent my first few decades as an adult, playing poker in Gardena, and if one doesn't toke, not only is one not smart, but one has got to be a freaking idiot. I want to be someone who walks into a card room and people in the game say "hi" and tell me to put my name on the board and get in the game. In fact, the board man puts my initials on the board before I even ask, because they already know what game I want to play, and that people LIKE to play with me. I also "take care" of the boardman, the floorman, the chip girls, the waitresses, AND especially the dealers. (and the porters. And in the old days, the restroom attendants)
>
> If one is a good player, one has a choice. He can walk into the cardroom and have people see him and grumble, or he can have people welcome him into their game and be eager to play with him. Which scenario do you think people are more willing to gamble with me? Which scenario do you think will earn me more action from people holding inferior cards? It may be costly to portray the loose-easy-going image, but it is even COSTLIER to have an image that people don't like.
>
> Not only is it advantageous to have people like you, but if you don't toke dealers, one of these days there is going to be a dispute, maybe a big pot, or an argument with someone who gets tossed from the game. Guess who gets the benefit of the doubt when the floorman comes over to make a decision? Guess whose story he listens to first? MINE, that's whose. And I often slip a $5 chip into his palm as I'm going home. It's just a way of life.
>
> So that's poker. And as a regular video poker player, it may be a little different, but the basics are the same.
>
