Using avatars to your advantage

[blueday]

Hello poker players,

As you know some sites have masculine and feminine avatars.

I've been using a female avatar from the first time I signed up on Full Tilt and I found that the only way to gain "respect" from the male players was to prove to them that you are a good player.  I've found that this "respect" does not arrive until at least half way through the game so I decided to change my avatar to a male one to see if I am treated any differently.

The difference is pretty remarkable from the off.  The good side is I noticed that whilst my bets (raising pre-flop etc) were treated with a little more respect from the off, the abuse from other players is a lot worse.  It wasn't something that I particularly noticed as a "female" player.  I know that many men prefer to use female avatars.

Have you ever changed your avatar to your opposite sex and if so, did you notice a difference?   What are your views on using "opposite sex" avatars?

blue

[wnanhee]

No...but I thought having a female avatar was better since all the males would give me a break even if I am not doing great...ha ha ha!!!

[blueday]

No...but I thought having a female avatar was better since all the males would give me a break even if I am not doing great...ha ha ha!!!

Hehehe - no I don't think that would happen Nan but I guess it's a thought.  I've rarely met an apologetic poker player.

blue

[Imagin.ation]

Thats very interesting to read Blue.. i have done this before, changing your avatar can bring more or less attention, and infact does bring about the "respect" and the "attitude" towards you.. are you saying that with a female avatar you are treated kinder, that they are less agressive?

[blueday]

I guess I am saying they are more aggressive in the play when I played as a female and more aggressive on the verbal abuse as a male - so yes less aggressive on the "verbal" as a female. 

It is so noticeably different too - I could also steal more blinds as a male. I need to play a bit more as a male to find out everything about it but it certainly is a very interesting angle on the game.

blue

[Rosebud]

yes,blue I have done the same and noticed the same thing.It seems like female players still do not get alot of respect but I've also been called some pretty nasty names when they thought I was a male and if I let them know I was female (sometimes) most would apologize.

[blueday]

yes,blue I have done the same and noticed the same thing.It seems like female players still do not get alot of respect but I've also been called some pretty nasty names when they thought I was a male and if I let them know I was female (sometimes) most would apologize.

It's very strange I must admit.  I'm torn between the advantage of the male player and the immediate respect as far as betting is concerned and the advantage of the female player in as much as you don't get so much abuse.  Also as a male player, they don't try to steal your blinds as much either.

I'm glad I'm not the only one to notice the difference.

blue

[lipstick_xoxos]

Hi Blue,

I agree with you 1000%!!! There is a lot of pros and cons to it. I find with a female avatar i do get more bullied at times by the boys! If i do raise a bet there is a tendency to fold more when your a female. This does have it's advantages to bluff....he he he!

I have played as a male avatar and there seems to be a bit more of a level of respect. I don't feel as railroaded!

Lips

[lipstick_xoxos]

Speaking of avatars in general at Fulltilt..........

Are there some avatars you dislike more than others. Or feel like damnnn no wonder i lost  can never win against the hockey player!

I think the least avatar i like is the hockey player......i swear i get more bad beats against him then i do any other avatar.

Do you have a least favorite one or feel one brings you bad luck?

Lips

[blueday]

Good point Lips - I really dislike the ATM machine avatar.  The one I struggle to beat is the Ninja.  I have great difficulty beating that avatar for some reason.

blue

[lipstick_xoxos]

lmaooo....ahhh yes the ATM machine!! It's seems crazy but i see certain avatars coming and i literally think...........oh no!