Hi to all....complete newb here seeking knowledge

[rockythecat99]

Ok guys I am completely new to the game. I have played for play at party and pokerroom.com but I think its a waste of my time because everyone plays every hand every time. I got called with a 2 5 offsuit once and I had AK. He won the pot with a straight. He didn't get his straight till the river. BUt anyway I have seen the wsop on tv and since then ive bought the lederes dvds and bought the hold em for advanced players book. I know I know I shouldve started slow but oh well. I understand the game pretty good now and am thinking of finally playing for real money. Is this right? Anyone think of a reason I shouldn't? If i shouldn't what should I read? Thank guys

[morgan180]

read this thread about which books to read and good luck!

thread (http://forumserver.twoplustwo.com/showthreaded.php?Cat=&Number=929929&page=&view=&sb =5&o=&vc=1)

also use the search feature (link located at the top of each page) so that you can look for items from the past - there is so much good stuff.

also read this FAQ about this place to help you get acquainted

FAQ (http://forumserver.twoplustwo.com/showflat.php?Cat=&Number=1282525&page=0&view=colla psed&sb=5&o=14&fpart=1)

then post all of your starting/beginners questions here, everyone is much more willing to answer beginners questions here.

[rockythecat99]

Thanks, I have the Hold em for advanced players and I have the concepts down a little bit but not too well. I read the thread you posted. Should I put this book down and buy some of the others? The stuff in the book just doesn't seem all that bad. I played in poker room after reading the first section and made my 1000 play money into 5000 in half an hour. But Im thinking because the competition was so crappy I did that well. They call with anything. So do you think I am ready for real money games or should I just hold off till I read some of those other books?
Thanks again

[gaming_mouse]

rocky,

i would really emphasize that you should NOT be starting with Holdem For Advanced Players. That is an advanced book intended for middle-high limit games. Even if you are able to understand the concepts in the book, much of its advice won't apply to the small stakes games where you'll likely begin playing.

Get "Small Stakes Holdem" instead. By the same authors but geared especially toward small stakes games.

gm

[RydenStoompala]

Mouse is right. Those concepts in HFAP will mess you up in the low limits. The same authors penned a book for small stakes and it is excellent. Read it.

Try to remember it is a game and people are free to make choices. Someone wants to play into you with rags, nwo and then they will win. Understand the concept of "long term" before you commit to a game.

[morgan180]

SSHE (small stakes hold 'em) is EXCELLENT, but its very advanced - you may want to start with Lee Jone's Winnning Low Limit Hold 'Em so that you learn how to "not get in trouble."

While SSHE is in my opinion the definitive text on the small stakes games, and their recommended play offers the greatest opportunity for winnings. (I swear by it) Winning Low Limit Hold 'Em will get you started in an easier to understand manner for a beginner.

Just my opinion. I agree with the others, Hold 'em for advanced players is going to get you killed in the limits you'll be playing - stop reading it and get one of the two mentioned.

[rockythecat99]

Thanks guys for giving me tips. I am off to buy SSHE now. I'll be sure to read it a couple of times before I go off and play for real money. Any more tips would be greatly appreciated.

[AKQJ10]

There are many rational reasons for playing NL instead of limit, but the belief that poorer players will prevent you from being a long-term winner is not one of them. Now, believing that a suck-out is bad for you psychologically and risks putting you on tilt might be a good reason to avoid low-limit, but that's different.

I can't emphasize Ryden's last sentence enough:

[ QUOTE ]
Understand the concept of "long term" before you commit to a game.

[/ QUOTE ]

Until you've braced yourself psychologically for the bad beats, and until you can remind yourself that it's only the long term (thousands of hands) that matters, you're going to be losing money at any poker game.

I lost my first ever no-limit stack at Foxwoods the other day with TT against AKo, going all-in on a 9-high flop, when my opponent turned an ace. The point being, NL is more about skill, but luck will play a role too. If you want to minimize the luck factor, consider taking up chess. I'm serious.

[Hoss1193]

I concur with all that's been said here: WLLH and SSHE are the best two books for the low-limit game, and should be read in that order. I dissent a little on HEFAP; the other two books are certainly better for low-limit, since they specifically address that game. But I don't think HEFAP will hurt your game, as others have suggested. I read HEFAP first (SSHE wasn't out yet, and I didn't know about WLLH), and starting winning from the start.

No one answered your first question; should you start playing for money? That's because no one can answer that question but you; it's your money. That said, I'll point out that you've already bought HEFAP and some DVDs. I'd guess that's somewhere around $50.

You were willing to commit that cash to learning the game. So that may answer your own question. $50 on an online casino site can go a very long way in micro-limits (I played .25/.50 for the first month).

[rockythecat99]

Thanks to all who have replied. I have bought SSHE on friday and Im about 101 pages in. I just can't put it down. I have finals till the 23rd(last year in college). I think after reading this and HEFAP I am pretty good preflop. I understand most of the concepts, I am so glad I am a Computer engineering major so I had to take probability and tons of math classes so I think I kinda get the odds stuff. Post flop I am still weak so I think Im going to finish reading this book first then start playing. Is a $100 BR good to start at low limit? I live near AC so do you guys think I should play in a real casino or online first? THanks again for all your help

[Shilly]

A $100 BR will be sufficient for micro-limits online, but playing live requires a bigger roll. I have never been to AC, but I would guess that their limit hold 'em games start at something like $2-$4 (Your $100 would get you one rack of chips here). However, I played my first hold 'em in a casino. You'll be nervous at first, but then you'll realize that the other people are by and far much worse than you.

I should add that although reading books provides a great start, poker requires a vast amount of experience at the tables. Until you've logged thousands and thousands of hands, you still might be uncomfortable in certain situations.

[rockythecat99]

Yeah you are right Shilly I need more hands on experience. I think by next week I should have finished the book without rushing through it. I have played for fake money a lot so I am not completely new to the game but it seems pointless to me since everyone is always in every pot. No one ever folds before the flop even with crap hands like 72o. Thanks again to everyone who has answered me I will keep you guys posted on my poker progression.

[rockythecat99]

Hey guys, I now have time to begin playing for real money. What is the place you guys think I should begin??? Any online place in particular or would playing live be better? Like I said I live about an hour from AC so the trip is not bad. Any suggestions???
Thanks