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  #1  
Old 12-20-2005, 02:26 PM
DarrenJG DarrenJG is offline
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Join Date: Mar 2005
Location: CT
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Default Just Starting Out - Any Advice?

Hello folks,

There is a wealth of knowledge on this board and perhaps some experienced players will be willing to share a little with a newbie.

I recently started to make a study of poker. I have been a BJ cardcounter for about 7 years and made decent money at it. It was basically a job through lawschool and beyond. I have good math ability and I am very, very disciplined. I have never had a problem playing properly under stress and avoiding "tilt." As a result of the cardcounting, I also understand, all too well, the swings inherent in this stuff, the idea of expected value, random walk w/ an upward drift, etc. I am a pretty seasoned veteran regarding some gambling concepts, but new to poker.

I recently left a big law firm to pursue some business ventures, so for the first time in ages my time is available and COMPLETELY flexible. The BJ games here in CT are getting tougher to beat and I haven’t had time to keep a small team together. I figure this is the perfect time to try to get really good at poker if at all possible.

On the advice of this forum, I slowly read Small Stakes Hold'em, Lee Jones' book, and Theory of Poker, as time permitted over the last few months. I just started Sklansky's Advanced Players. I’ve dabbled a little to test out the concepts I’ve learned, which I think I probably have a decent handle on. But now seems like the time to dive in and get more serious.

Maybe you can give me a little advice about starting off. I'm wondering what the progression should be like for me. I am willing to put maybe $5,000-6,000 in play, which may make my progression a little different than most newbs – not sure. It sounds like many start with smaller BR’s, and most advice I’ve seen is along that line. It seems that with poker you can get by with a FAR smaller bankroll than with cardcounting, where I needed at least $30,000+ to make real money – the swings could be enormous in BJ. But regardless, I obviously need to start at the low rungs. In fact, I still need to learn the nuts and bolts of bonuses and other basic stuff before I really get started online.

I have decent faith in my ability to do well, if there is a realistic chance of doing so. I heard lots of people say that I couldn't make money counting cards -- but I seemed to disprove them. It sounds like there are lots of experienced players here. What does it take to consistently win? What can a pretty fast learner expect to attain and in what time frame? How much must one stake? Should I just stick with blackjack and forget about this?!! [img]/images/graemlins/smile.gif[/img]

Thanks for any advice. Hopefully, I’ll get to know some of you folks on here and maybe down the road I can return the favor.

Darren
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  #2  
Old 12-20-2005, 02:48 PM
Maulik Maulik is offline
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Join Date: Jan 2005
Location: 30 + rake
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Default Re: Just Starting Out - Any Advice?

Well decide what you enjoy playing. The current situation of poker provides plenty of fish in all forms.

If you really like Stud, play that, etc.

As far as Hold'em the most commercialised game; SNGs are popular, limit, NL. Pick what you ENJOY.

Start with a small bankroll and build yourself up. There are so many unique situations in poker, only experience will allow you to thread those waters.
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  #3  
Old 12-20-2005, 03:20 PM
PJS PJS is offline
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Join Date: Jan 2005
Posts: 68
Default Re: Just Starting Out - Any Advice?

Your background will certainly serve you well. Generally, the bankroll required is between 300-400 big bets (assuming your a winning player). However, as you are new, I would suggest staying in low limits until you get to grips with some poker concepts. However, with your background, I'm sure you'll pick it up sooner than most.

As the above poster said, find one game to focus your attention on for now, as trying to learn too many games at once will not only be confusing, but is potentially harmful as you may start confusing concepts. I recommend starting off with either "limit" or "no limit" hold'em, as these are the games most frequently played today.

The books you have read so far should certainly have you heading in the right directon, although, I would suggest you leave HPFAP until you start moving up in limits. Read Getting Started in Hold'em by Ed Miller, then re-read SSHE (assuming you are going to play limit poker). Also, instead of trying to rush to play higher limits, I would continue with BJ for now while your learning poker, and when you feel you have a firm grasp on poker, you can then make a full transition without starting off in "deep water".

you may find this link helpful that I got from the beginners forum:

http://poker.wikicities.com/wiki/Beg...26_Software.3F

P.s if you access the link, you will have to scroll to the top of the page for the full table of contents.

PJS
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  #4  
Old 12-20-2005, 10:29 PM
WhoIam WhoIam is offline
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Location: Pittsburgh, PA USA
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Default Re: Just Starting Out - Any Advice?

A lot of people on these forums can be d*cks to newbies so just don't pay attention to them. Other than that, good luck and I hope to see you around.
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  #5  
Old 12-20-2005, 10:57 PM
lehighguy lehighguy is offline
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Join Date: Nov 2004
Posts: 590
Default Re: Just Starting Out - Any Advice?

Play 20,000 hands. Use a starting hand chart if you need it. Then come back and ask about strategy.

There is no substitute for experience.
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  #6  
Old 12-20-2005, 10:58 PM
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Default Re: Just Starting Out - Any Advice?

[ QUOTE ]

I recently left a big law firm to pursue some business ventures, so for the first time in ages my time is available and COMPLETELY flexible.


[/ QUOTE ]

I can't help you get better at poker because I'm a noob myself, but for this comment alone, I am brutally jealous. (as I sit here at 7:00 at night billing my 12th hour of the day) Bah...I'm a cog and you're a free man.
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  #7  
Old 12-21-2005, 12:56 AM
DarrenJG DarrenJG is offline
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Join Date: Mar 2005
Location: CT
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Default Re: Just Starting Out - Any Advice?

LOL. Damn, actually billing your 12th hr of the day! You're really cranking. Believe me, I feel your pain. Been there, for sure!
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  #8  
Old 12-21-2005, 12:58 AM
DarrenJG DarrenJG is offline
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Join Date: Mar 2005
Location: CT
Posts: 7
Default Re: Just Starting Out - Any Advice?

Thanks, I appreciate the heads up. I don't mind taking a little [censored] from the veterans. Whatever it takes to improve.
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  #9  
Old 12-21-2005, 01:11 AM
J_V J_V is offline
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Default Re: Just Starting Out - Any Advice?

Are you planning on playing online or live? I would recommend online for learning purposes, as you'll be able to get many more hands in a given period of time. My only advice is to find the best players on this forum and take their advice religiously.
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  #10  
Old 12-21-2005, 01:15 AM
cold_cash cold_cash is offline
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Join Date: Jul 2003
Location: Oregon
Posts: 412
Default Re: Just Starting Out - Any Advice?

If you're going to play online get PokerTracker.
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