Poker Beginner - Which Game to Learn First?

[Mung]

I know most of the rules for most of the poker games I might be interested in playing, but what I do not know is correct strategy. I am particularly interested at this time in understanding the odds and probabilities realting to various poker games.

When setting out to learn poker odds and probabilities, is there a particular game or games that it would be more beneficial for me to begin with, such as Texas Hold'em (only two initial cards), or 5-Card Draw (Jacks or Better)?

I've started with Seven-Card Stud, but I don't think it is my best choice. Perhaps 5-Card Stud would be better, but I haven't found much on 5-Card Stud in the books.

Anyways, I am looking to get started in poker with a particular eye to learning how to calculate the probabilities associated with the game. I am wondering which game would be best for me to start out with. One that would lay a foundation for me to build on.

Thanks

[lunchmeat]

Limit Hold 'em is a good place to start in my opinion because A) you can always find a game and B) you get a lot of hands in per session.

I remember an essay Mike Caro wrote where he said the best games for learning overall poker skills are limit hold 'em and limit 5 card draw, but I don't remember his reasoning.

[SheridanCat]

If you're really interested in probabilities and odds, start by learning Texas Holdem and get Mike Petriv's "Hold'em's Odd(s) Book." It's probably available from Conjelco.

You won't find 5 card stud spread in a casino, and 5 card draw will be hard to find.

Regards,

T

[Mung]

Many thanks to those who responded.

Yes, I am really interested in probabilities and odds, and not so much in which games I would find in a casino. A want to learn the basics of calculating odds with simpler games first, and then move on to more complex games. You'll probably find me in the Probabilities Forum here more than any other, hehe.

It occurred to me that, for the first two cards at least, the odds in 5-Card Stud and in Texas Hold'em must be quite similar. Not sure from there on out though. That's why I am here to learn.

T, thanks for the book suggestion.

I found ConJelCo here:

http://www.conjelco.com/

regards

[Mung]

[ QUOTE ]
...get Mike Petriv's "Hold'em's Odd(s) Book."

[/ QUOTE ]
ConJelCo doesn't appear to have it. Search on Petriv on amazon.com turns up no entries. Any suggestions?

Thanks

[rayrns]

Try Barnes Noble. www.bn.com Go to the used book section and type in Petriv. It is about $53 plus S&H.

[HUSKER'66]

go here.....

www.gamblersbook.com

Click on: "Catalog index by category"

Click "search"
and type Mike Petriv

Hold'ems Odd Book-$24.95 [img]/images/graemlins/grin.gif[/img]

Welcome to the forum.

[Ilovephysics]

I've always liked Omaha and its variations. I think even a beginner can benefit from playing Omaha against bad players... Possibly moreso than a beginner playing Texas Hold-em against bad players, all else being equal...

Suspected (but possibly suspect) reasoning:

1) People often confuse Omaha with Texas Hold-em, but with "more cards". You have an added advantage over these folks simply because you look at a hand like 7s7dTcTh differently than they will.

2) Bad players chase second-best and third-best hands frequently...

3) A good understanding of calculating odds goes a long way.

[Mung]

I think I agree with you that Omaha is a great game to be learning at this time. I also think that those who learn to play correctly have a decided advantage and are also more likely to play against people who lack proper knowledge.

But I am not so sure it is the best game to START with as a game for learning how to calculate the statistical probabilities. For example, how might it be relevant to seven stud or hold'em, where you only get two hole cards?

I want to construct a solid foundation, and then build on that.


Some figures on Omaha:

Over 270,000 four-card combinations.

Every four card combination (starting hand) has six two-card combinations.

Every five-card combination (the board) has ten three-card combinations.

That's 60 five-card combinations (3 from the board, two from the hand).

A lot of room for people to go wrong [img]/images/graemlins/wink.gif[/img].

[bdypdx]

Do you "like" playing poker? Do you enjoy playing the game? Do you enjoy other card games?

Have you even played poker? You say you know the rules for the games you "might" be interested in playing. But you didn't say that you've actually ever played poker.

Set up a home game. Play for nickels and dimes. Set a range of games. One group I know only plays "straight" poker, ie 5-draw, 5-stud, 7-stud, omaha, holdem, etc. Another group plays all of that, plus some pretty crazy wild games. Host a home game with just the games you find interesting as an experiment.

Anyway, I don't mean to be rude. I'd suggest trying home games. I play with some older college professors who just love 5-card draw and 5-card stud. They know the exact odds and exactly how to play the game. On the other hand, the Seattle area spreads many, many holdem games.

Holdem is the game of the moment. Learn holdem.