Newbie playing a home game

[Anemro]

Hi Guys,



Fairly new poker player here so all the usual apologies for stupid questions etc.



Here is my situation: I had played one game of no limit holdem against strangers at a friends house - really liked it. Started playing online but really wanted the social aspect of it as well so decided to start my own once a month home game with 5-7 friends all of whom are very much beginners as well.



I am a bit thorough when it comes to things like this and really wanted to know my stuff about the game so I have done a lot of reading of various books and internet sites - let's just say I did my homework. Not because I wanted to take all their money (honestly!) but I just wanted to be a half decent player.



We have played two games now and both times by the end of the evening I am down the most money. You may think my friends are taking me for a ride but I honestly believe they don't know odds etc they are just having a laugh and going on gut instinct - they make loads of mistakes but I always seem to come out worst.



Here is the problem (eventually): I have taken a lot of newbie advice so I play pretty tight, only getting involved with top ten hands etc I try to raise pre flop where I should. I am just getting to grips with pot odds and I know this will help me drastically - I am working on it. BUT because they are having fun and not playing according to the "rules" (and why should they) they become very difficult opponents. They get involved with terrible hands, their betting patterns are all over the place etc. I am sitting there slowly dribling my blind money away playing super tight while they are playing pretty crumby hands and winning lots of money. and I am starting to become predictable to them. I try to loosen up but end up loosing more money.

There is one player who is pretty aggressive - he is nearly always raising - gets involved with practically every hand and always goes to the river. Admittedly he sometimes loses big but both games he has ended up with easily the most money. He is a risk taker and I know that counts for a lot in poker - I know I am far too passive and need to toughen up. I just find it hard to push all the way to the end like he does (he quite often has nothing but then makes a big hand on the river) I don't know how to play against someone like this - so sorry for the rambling - any advice would be great on this situation - it's very frustrating as it was my interest in poker that got the whole thing started and now I am losing my money to a jackal!