How to enforce table-talk rules without seeming like I am "taking this too seriously"? (1 Viewer)

We have been playing off and on for 15 years. Pretty experienced players that sometimes get a little lax. Most players have reacted with a positive attitude to the message, the biggest offenders apologizing in their replies, especially the guy who was dealing. Said he was just pushing cards not paying attention to the board, and admitted to scooping the board cards too quickly before pushing the pot to the wrong player. Most months the game is taken very seriously given the relatively small stakes we play for.

This is a good reaction. It shows that it was the right thing to address the issue, but also that your players are mature and can handle criticism. We had some similar situations as well, it can always happen, especially if you've been playing for a few hours and get tired.

Go search the clip of Van Luijk at the EPT Monte Carlo Main Event two days ago when they were only 3-handed. (After like 9h of play) He won the hand, but stood up, pushed his chips away (to leave) and started to shake hands before realizing that he rivere'd the 10 that won him the hand. It happens.

Edit: And go take a look at the miracle runner runner Jacks to save his ass just a day before to reach the final table lol. He had such a good run
 
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When I get push-back for enforcing game integrity in a friendly home game, I usually say something to the effects of, "I don't mess around with people's money" and it seems to click for people.
 
Sounds like the whole "co-host" illusion needs to end.

She is providing the space, but she has no business playing any role in running the poker game.

You are the host of the poker game, and this puts you in a really awkward situation because the attendees—including the space-provider—are an assortment of completely non-serious players who think it's appropriate to engage in this sort of behavior.

Approach #1: Make an announcement at the start of next game that you're sorry you haven't been firm enough about this, but that people need to stop commenting on board texture, suggesting people are bluffing, or otherwise improperly influencing players. This is a standard rule in every place where poker is played for money. It's unfair to the players still in the hand. OPTAH, as they say. Best of luck.

Approach #2: If approach #1 is met with snark and whinging, start sharing all your experienced-poker-player takes on everyone else's hands when they're trying to play. Describe every change in board texture. Call out apparent bluffs. Explain why a bet looks strong. Note that the player who just reraised preflop hasn't reraised preflop for 3 sessions in a row. Be as totally insufferable as they're being. Show them what's wrong about this.

(Just kidding, don't do #2. But man, it's tempting.)

Approach #3: Stop hosting this game. I don't know how long you've been hosting this, but if you're a fairly serious player/host for whom it's important for a game to operate soundly and according to reasonable, consistent rules, this may never quite work out. Sounds like you have a game full of party animals who love drinking and shouting, and strict rules are about as important to them in poker as they would be in Cards Against Humanity.

Hell, maybe you could host games of CAH instead. It's a better match for people like this.
approach 2 is hilarious.
 

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