Have you ever hated a player and then became friends with them?

Poker_Mike

Poker_Mike

Legend
Loyaler
Joined
Aug 15, 2017
Total posts
5,527
Awards
2
Chips
589
I can remember playing with a player for the first time.

He kept raising with junk and then getting there on the river for 2 pair or some double gap straight that I could not see.

I really hated him for beating me at that table.

As I played with him more on different days I realized that he was just lucky that day and while he was a good player - he had cracks in his armor.

Eventually we became friendly and I cracked his AA the last time we played holdem.

Has this happened to you live or online?
 
austral

austral

Rock Star
Platinum Level
Joined
Sep 24, 2025
Total posts
209
Awards
1
AR
Chips
262
Not yet, but rivalry is born at the table, and respect is earned over time.
 
s0ftdumps

s0ftdumps

Visionary
Platinum Level
Joined
Apr 13, 2020
Total posts
559
Awards
1
CA
Chips
293
Poker_Mike said:
I can remember playing with a player for the first time.

He kept raising with junk and then getting there on the river for 2 pair or some double gap straight that I could not see.

I really hated him for beating me at that table.

As I played with him more on different days I realized that he was just lucky that day and while he was a good player - he had cracks in his armor.

Eventually we became friendly and I cracked his AA the last time we played holdem.

Has this happened to you live or online?
Click to expand...
I’ve had that exact experience, especially online. Someone runs hot, plays what looks like total nonsense, and keeps getting there in spots that feel impossible. It’s frustrating in the moment and easy to label them as bad or reckless.

Over time, the picture usually evens out. You start to see where the leaks actually are when they overextend, chase too wide, or rely too much on variance. That’s when patience pays off.

Funny how the players you hate most at first often end up being the most profitable matchups once the cards stop running one way.
 
Shadow6969

Shadow6969

Rock Star
Bronze Level
Joined
Sep 11, 2025
Total posts
286
IN
Chips
226
I randomly hated a player but as well play regularly we become friends. Fun fact now he is my roommate 😁
 
Poker Orifice

Poker Orifice

And Still...
Platinum Level
Joined
Jan 19, 2008
Total posts
28,100
Awards
6
CA
Chips
797
you mean some poker players like other poker players?
 
V

veszmo

Rock Star
Platinum Level
Joined
Sep 20, 2024
Total posts
221
HU
Chips
352
Sometimes I get annoyed by a player's aggressive style, but I haven't become friends with any of them yet.
 
Roller

Roller

Legend
Loyaler
Joined
Mar 14, 2009
Total posts
2,577
Awards
4
US
Chips
668
You talk away from the table.
You realize they’re battling the same variance.
You see they’re not disrespectful—just different.
Or you discover the thing you hated was actually discipline, patience, or a style that counters yours.
 
Top