Players With a Mean Streak

Psychological warfare can be effective against people who have any of these three tendencies. You can say and do things that make a significant impact on their comfort level. Because they often suffer from feelings of inadequacy, they are especially vulnerable to mental counter-attacks.

They may not overtly show that what you say affects them, but internally they will be stewing, and this will typically affect the quality of their play. They may go out of their way with poor play to accomplish that part of poker that gives them the most pleasure, beating you.

Whenever they change their play in favor of another agenda, it will cost them money - some of which should end up in your stack. Saying things like, "You may want to go back to the playground if you expect those cheesy moves to work" may really bug an opponent like the ones described. Of course, your discretion is important.

You do not want to say anything that will destroy a gambling frame of mind for the rest of the table. The lighter you can keep the atmosphere, typically the better.

Also, if you have fallen for one of their cheap moves (and some of these people are quite cunning) you need to wait for a better opportunity to speak up.

basic types of sadists

the offending player

destroy a gambling frame