Can’t we all just get along?

I play a lot of cash and sit and go’s and tourneys and I am seeing a trend that is starting to get quite annoying and downright disrespectful. That is the practice of criticizing the playing of other player’s. It is starting to affect other people not directly involved in the hands in question. Some of these people were regular players at games that I frequent.

Now I am not seeing some of these players at any of the games that I frequent. I am sure that I can attribute their unwillingness to play in a hostile atmosphere. And this is a shame as it spoils it for all of us who love the game of poker.

There is no need to call a person that stays in a hand for a two outer a donk or any other name for that matter. We need all types of players to fill up the table in order for the rest of us to play.  We don’t need to make somone feel uncomfortable in order to make our bad luck be their fault.

I am sorry to say that I may have been part of this problem because I did not say anything or do anything to stop it. It is one thing to have some friendly banter, it is another to belittle someone else. I vow from now on to try and change what is going on at the tables. Perhaps  I can do that using a gentle reminder that we have a game going or let us watch the banter. Let’s tone it down. Perhaps I will have to DM someone in order to voice my concerns. Whatever it takes.

What do you do to promote a friendly game? How do you  promote a postive attitude at the table? Or do you just stop playing there?