Flakeandrun
Well-known member
This is an interesting topic too, as they do like to play for money here, but the attitude is a bit different from the 'hustle' style of Americans. They like to play for smaller amounts between friends (and betting between friends is unusual to me to begin with). Normally, we are playing for the light fee, and maybe occasionally a few hundred RMB, and that would be like I said, with some friends here. But that's exactly It. Betting only exists among friends here due to the illegality of gambling, and also no one is out to cause problems between friends or damage anothers 'face' (which is a concept most westerners don't understand). Being a foreigner, I get a big old length of rope with regard to face... as my Mika-esque micro tantrums wouldn't fly if I was localPlay for money...enough so it's a bit uncomfortable. Eventually you won't feel.the pressure.

I am still trying to find ways to simulate that feeling of pressure, and taking part in more tournaments is the only thing I've found so far... gaining experience.
When I was in Japan I was able to play some small games for a little cash with randomers, like you described, and you're right, that did help me switch off and try to find the 'robot-mode' that I see watching pros play on Youtube.