Play money vs real money question

[Stretch002]

Hello everyone,
Thank you for posting educational responses and discussing game theory in such detail...

I have been actively reading the forums and studying the game of NL Hold ‘em for about four months. My goal is to become a solid player and participate in monthly NL tournaments at our local BM (Commerce Casino) as well as participate in the various interesting MTT’s online.

Thus far I have read two Sklansky books (Theory of Poker & Tournament play for advanced players) and am beginning Harrington on Hold ‘em.

I have been playing four or five games a night of the free money 10+1 SNG. I almost always finish ITM and win at least 80% of those games. Although I realize play in these games is incredibly loose at the start, usually it tightens up into a real game of poker after a few morons go all-in and bust out. It has been fun trying to learn to compensate for a small stack due to not taking risks as well as getting ahead when playing a draw hand with proper odds. I believe I have a firm grasp on the fundamentals. Obviously I am still learning and will always continue to do so.

My question for all of you is this:
How different are the $5+1 and $10+1 SNG games at Poker Party from the play money games?

Since I do not currently have the opportunity to go play in a B&M due to my schedule (full-time career, night school, wife & friends), I would like to start playing for money. Any advice or words of caution before I begin?

Thanks in advance for any insight you can provide.

- Stretch002

[schwza]

hey stretch,

welcome to the forums. it's been a while since i played the play money games, so i can't really answer your question directly. i will say, though, that if you're planning on starting at the $5 level (not a bad idea), don't start on party. they have $5+$1, whereas ultimatebet, stars, and paradise all have $5+$0.50. the double rake makes a big difference.

i'm sure the real money games will be tougher, but the only way to find out how much tougher is to commit $75 or so and take a shot. good luck.

[MrMon]

I'm sure everyone will tell you this, but you should know there is little relationship to reality in a play money game vs a real money game. But if you can beat the play money games, so much the better.

Also, if you can avoid it, never play a $5 + $1 game. The rake is way too high. Eats into your profits something fierce. Find a $5 + 50 cent game (Stars?) or start at $10+$1.

Good luck and welcome to the poker world.

[willie24]

my advice to you is to just get into it. the play is probably somewhat tighter, but you sound like a thoughtful player who will have no problem beating those games.

there's only one way to get find out. at $5 a pop you're not going to break the bank if it doesn't work out.

it sounds like you have a good poker mindset/attitude. always remember it's gambling, there are no guarantees. that said, I bet you will do well in the 5 and 10s

[Stretch002]

Thank you for the replies.

I had not considered the rake in the $5+1...just figured it was a very cheap way to get the nerves out of playing with real money. Which is silly since I can spend $10 at Starbucks in the morning and not even blink! lol

For some reason my wife thinks playing poker for money is a great idea! Thus, I will begin my money play at the $10+1.

Thanks for the advice!

[MrMon]

Paradise is $5 + $1. UB is $5 + 50 cent. Stars?

[MrMon]

As long as I win, my wife is in favor of it. Some major furniture later, she's still in favor, despite the recent losing streak. It's kinda nice to sit back and go, "Someone else paid for this."

[junkmail3]

Pokerroom.com also just switched to $5+ .50 ...

When I get bored of a losing streak, or just don't want to play poker I sit at the $500+50 play money and raise all in every time. I try to win this way. (In other words, it's exactly like low buy in real money [img]/images/graemlins/tongue.gif[/img])

[willie]

sounds about similar to my stats with play money 16 months ago....

biggest thing is to just tighten WAY up from the play money tables to the real money game.

when i first moved up i would be playin j9, q9.....

stuff even more marginal than JT or QT- but you have to learn to really maximize your usage of 800 chips and jam when you have a big hand and toss draws that will cost a good percentage of your stack

learn to drop crappy hands, ace suited rags, and only play small pairs in certain situations---search you'll find the answer.

it's really not too hard, took me a little while to get a handle on real money games and now i'm up running around the 30+3s--just practice, patience and pay close attention.

[Stretch002]

Thank you all for the replies. As I had guessed, there is great advice out there!

It is very reassuring to see that I should not expect too large a difference between the two games. I think the biggest difference will be between my ears! lol

Willie- good advice. I tend to be pretty tight in terms of hands I will play with. Even though it is play money I track my finishes in a spreadsheet. That way I feel accountable for my play and rarely do anything really stupid! I imagine I will be playing somewhat tighter than usual simply because there is a whole ten bucks on the line!

I'll post my results and see how it goes.
Should be fun...