money management

[Fryguy]

If you are a beginner, take the time to get together a few hundred dollars now, say $200.

And then don't use any of it.

Go and play the .02/.04 and .05/.10 tables on pokerstars (or whatever site you prefer that has tiny limits). Purchase Small stakes hold'em, theory of poker, and hold'em for advanced players, and learn to play.

When you stop sucking, move up to .25/.50, then .50/1 and just gradually move up as you beat the limit you are at. A good rule is to always have 200 big bets available for whatever limit you are playing. Available, not at the table. I usually sit at a table with 25bb or so.