The term “regulars” or regs” defines poker players who play in the same games over a long period, usually in the same venue. If you face the same opponent repeatedly in your 6max cash game, chances are they’re a regular player, much like yourself.
This regular status could also extend to the broader context of your casino or online poker platform, where the other players might acknowledge them as regulars on sites like HighStakes Poker.
The Cons of Poker Regulars
Intimidation: Playing against experienced regulars can be scary and frustrating for new players.
They might stay away from the tables because they don’t want to lose money or be outclassed, reducing the number of amateur players.
Reduced Fun: Poker is a game of fun at its core. The serious attitude of regulars who only care about making money can take away from the fun and social elements of the game.
Stifling Growth: If there are a lot of skilled regulars in a poker room, it might make new players not want to join.
The game could become dull and lose popularity without a friendly environment where players of all skill levels can enjoy themselves.
Potential for Collusion: Regular poker players may sometimes take advantage of weaker opponents by colluding with other regs; this is most prevalent in online platforms.
This illicit conduct jeopardises the game’s integrity.
5 Ways to Spot a Poker Reg
Multi-tabling
The number of tables a player plays at once indicates their reg status. Most sites make this function extremely simple to use.
You may look for them with a right-click or search the lobby for them. Regulars know that playing at multiple tables is essential to maximising their return on investment; thus, they often play at least four tables.
They don’t mind giving up some advantage if they can make more money each hour. The likelihood of an amateur playing more than two tables is relatively low.
VIP Status
Many online poker sites display the VIP status of players. It’s a badge on that poker site showing a player’s level. Not all sites show this, although some do, like PokerStars.
If a player has bronze status, it’s fair to infer they don’t play often. In contrast, if they are a Supernova, they play constantly and accumulate significant volume. Other sites display tournament leaderboards of the top tournament players.
A player’s status automatically indicates how much time they devote to poker, and regulars devote a significant amount of time.
Pre-Flop Strategy
Regs typically avoid amateur moves like limps, min raises, and limp re-raises, saving them for less experienced players still working on their strategies.
Whatever their situation is or how strong their hand is, they always use varied bet sizings and are unpredictable.
Analyse HUD Stats
Using the stats on the poker, HUD is one effective way of identifying regs. They are probably a reg if their VPIP and PFR are low.
Analysing these data, it is usually simple to see the difference between stronger and novice players. You should anticipate regulars to have lower VPIP and higher AF, and vice versa for novice players.
Familiarity with other Players
One way to tell if a player is a reg in live poker is by how well they know the staff and other players in the poker room.
Players often talk to each other informally, calling floor staff by their first names and joking around with other regulars.
Is it Okay to be a Poker Reg?
Regs are what keep games running, but amateurs make them great. If regs did not exist, most games would not run, and the tables would eventually dry up.
Furthermore, keep in mind that most poker players end up losing money. So, although regs may not lose money as quickly as the typical recreational player, many regulars are nevertheless losing players.
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