This has been a very enlightening thread.
For some reason it seems to have caused an emotional reaction in some, but thankfully everybody managed to remain civil.
I've been sucked in by the "tank then raise" ploy. I felt like an idiot. Made a note.
It is always humiliating to be played for a fool, so in any context other than poker, any person who deliberately humiliates another would be considered ill-mannered.
This is poker, though.
Deception is part of the game.
So it isn't unethical.
However, it should be noted that the other players at the table didn't like you for doing it.
Another part of poker is laying low and being "part of the scenery". You can get away with a lot if you lurk rather than charge.
Good Luck.
--VS
