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(2 votes) 
Hi TPE members.
I’m fairly new to online poker and I’m doing my best to learn and improve my game.
Today I played an 18 seat $3.5 SNG on Stars and ended up winning the tournament. Funny thing is I knocked a guy out when the final table was at 6 people and then eventually knocked out the number 2 spot as well.
Both players I knocked out we’re very upset with me and commented that I was an idiot fish. I try very hard to not play like a fish, my vpip was 18% and my PR was 8%.
Should I let this get to me or shrug it off? Do others experience being called a fish? I really don’t want to be an idiot and play smart poker.
Any advise, thanks.
TPE Pro
December 6, 2012
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I wrote an article about this: …..o-3346.htm
November 4, 2013
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I get called a fish all the time. I actually revel in it, and quite often it's one of my “table image goals”. The sooner I can get the table to think I'm just another donkey, the sooner they will stop focusing on what I'm actually doing, and stop playing properly vs me.
Don't take it personally if someone calls you a fish. The majority of the time, it's because you played a hand in a way they either wouldn't, or don't understand. Sometimes they do it just to tilt you, and get you off your game. As long as you are making the monies, it shouldn't matter what other people think of you.
Thanks a lot for the positive feedback, I really appreciate you guys taking the time to help me out. My brother who plays a lot of online video games said there’s always keyboard warriors that act up when they loose.
All the best,
August 25, 2014
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There are times when weaker players think your play is bad because they don't understand the reasoning behind it. The people who believe they are always right and have all the answers are generally the same players that stay “average” forever.
The best players are those who question everything and try to see the logic behind players actions – not just labelling them as bad and moving on
Foucault said:
If these guys knew anything about poker, they wouldn't be playing $3.50 tournaments. It's probably a compliment to be called a fish by them. More importantly, though, you shouldn't worry what your opponents think about you. You have to decide: is it more important to you to make money or be thought of as a good player?
I wrote an article about this: …..o-3346.htm
Just read your article, great advise for us new players.
Thank you Sir…
TPE Management
April 6, 2010
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Great article Andrew.
Just shrug it off, and if you find it impacting you metnally, close the chat window and never look at it!
TPE Pro
August 25, 2012
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Online poker can be a pretty brutal environment. People have the security of being behind their computer, so they say all kinds of stuff in chat. You've got to develop a thick skin early on, or the first time someone tells you to go die of cancer is going to hit you pretty hard. Shrug it off and move on, and quietly laugh at them for being petty enough to abuse someone in chat.
August 4, 2014
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I agree with everything on here and yes, from time to time, people attack eachother like that. Sometimes I play low stakes to mix it up, and thats actually when I get called fish because they dont understand the concept of short stack play, pot odds, check raising, bluffing etc as good and they interpret it as fish. And most of them are tags.
Most of the time, my chat window is closed because we are all human and we dont want to be called an idiot or a fish when we play good. Beware of the people who dont show reactions though, I dont think it is a coincidence those are the good players because I think they are aware of the game and leave these kind of situations behind easily.
December 27, 2014
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if u are fairly new to poker then chances are u probably are a fish. But those berating u are usually not that good themselves. I speak from experience :D.
January 15, 2015
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anytime you bink it's highly likeling the one being binked is going to tilt and call you something. being called a fish or a donk is one of the kinder names thrown around on NJ poker sites. I find it best to keep the Info screen on so you don't get distracted by the chatter. It's meaningless anyway. The important thing is if you get your chips in good and win, you've got his chips. let him call you whatever he wants.
January 10, 2015
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Being called a fish never bothered me. I know I'm a fish, and if I win some chips from anyone and they get pissed off and feel the need to berate me, or call me whatever name they want… I win on two levels. They're most likely gonna 'come after me' and play poorly against me in the future.
February 11, 2015
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and good players don't berate or abuse 'fish' or live ones (not saying you are either). in fact, winning poker players invite the fish to play, and do everything possible to make them feel welcome at the game. fish are your customers, be nice to them!
most of the time i keep the chat turned off in tournaments. i know some people pick up tells from it, but i think they bad analysis/whinning from the losers can subconsciously affect my play—i don't want their thoughts circling around in my head. IRL i talk at both cash and tourneys as you can get alot of info about people, but online, most are misberable shitbirds.
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