Work Outing Ettiquette

[FormerHoya]

First off, I don't know if I spelled ettiquette right. That's because I rarely use the word.

Secondly, here's my question. If, say, you are at your firm's golf outing, (this part unfortunately does not apply to me) should you try to beat the pants off the senior partners? Does that answer change if there is money involved?
Then, after dinner, if some partners ask you to stay, drink port, smoke cigars, and play poker, (this part sort of applies to me) should you play how you normally would (ie, to win) or a looser game that chases pots and keeps everyone involved in good spirits? I went a middling route and went up early so that I could chase some silly pots and break about even.

Thoughts?

Edit: by applying to me, I mean that I may have the ability to actually win...

[hoyatables]

Play smart and competitive, but not ruthless. Play for fun, not to win. But if you win, don't be ashamed of it--after all, they do work you like a dog day in and day out.

[StPetersburgHoya (Inactive)]

If you do well at anything play it off as dumb luck - lots of self-depricating humor and possibly joking about not wanting to beat the partners is probably a good idea.

[Deleted]

Play to win. They'll respect you more in the end.
That, and get loaded on their tab.

My office just had a staff party on Friday. One of the relatively new guys got plowed and passed out on his desk for 2 hours. And the boss loves him. True story.

[HoyaNCCT]

always play to win

[FormerHoya]

Playing to win is great, however, due to my golf "skills" I was mainly playing to not embarass myself. I only partially accomplished that goal.

With the poker I mainly played how I normally would, but I stuck around longer in pots that I would normally have folded on. There was one excellent player, me (slightly above average), two weak players, and one abysmal player. It was a very loose table.

Also, I did make sure to abuse the open bar tab. All in all an excellent day. I tell ya, if it weren't for those prices, I could see myself living that country club lifestyle...

[Gold Hoya]

Former, you're going on my poker list (as soon as I get around to buying that poker table). Of course, it's not like the married guys ever show up for poker anyway.