The best way to learn NL Holdem?

[derick]

Hello my 2+2 Mentors!

Unlike just about everyone else on this forum I don't know how to play NL holdem well :-)

This site helped me become a winning low limit holdem player. Now I want to learn how to play no limit holdem.

I'd like advice about the best way to learn how to play No Limit Holdem.

I've been trying to learn poker since September 2004. I started with limit since I always lost my stack whenever I played NL.

In the last ten months I've read about 20 books on poker most of them have been 2+2 books concentrating on limit holdem.

In the last 3 weeks I've started to try to learn No Limit Holdem.

I've read the following books that are relevant to No Limit. What other books are worth reading?

Supersystem 2 (I've only read the holdem sections. Are the rest any good?)
Harrington on Holdem
No Limit and Pot Limit Poker, Ciafonne and Reubern
No Limit Texas Holdem, Brad Daughterty & Tom McEvoy
Championship No Limit and Pot Limit Holdem, TJ Clouter & Tom McEvoy

I've use Pokertracker.
I've just completed the BONUSJUN bonus on Party to get 700 hands of experience (only bought in for $400)
I'm comfortable with the stakes on the Party $25NL (with the bonus overlay) and the Pacific $10 NL (without overlay).

I read this forum. I plan to post hands when I have something useful to say but at this point I want to lurk and learn until I have something worth hearing.

My objective is to win at the casino live $5/10 and $10/20.
But my very experience with live NL has been that I usually lose my stack.

What should I do to get better that I haven't listed above?

Thanks!

derick

[winky51]

I would pick up TJs books and Harrington's book on NL. Harrington's book really pushed my game up. It just takes one hand to lose all your profit on NL. But NL will help your limit game a lot.

Start with those books.

[Komodo]

"I've been trying to learn poker since September 2004. I started with limit since I always lost my stack whenever I played NL."

Its pretty normal to lose your stack (or double up) when playing NL. Dont bring more money to the table than you can afford (or feel comfortable losing) to lose.

[Origami]

I posted a thread asking for important NL posts that would help give some background to a new NL player.

I got this.

Hope it helps! There is also another link in one of the posts in that thread.

[-Skeme-]

http://forumserver.twoplustwo.com/search.php?Cat=

[derick]

[ QUOTE ]
I posted a thread asking for important NL posts that would help give some background to a new NL player.

I got this.

Hope it helps! There is also another link in one of the posts in that thread.

[/ QUOTE ]

Wow thanks for posting this it's great! These posts should be mandatory reading for all beginners!


derick

[Aytumious]

I think one of the best ways to quickly get a feel for NL while not risking too much is too play small buyin SNG's. Try playing the $5 and $10 buyin games at Pacific.

[Macedon]

Some members might laugh at this advice, but I would say try playing with free chips first.

I spent a couple of weeks playing free poker before I jumped into the on-line world and I have definitely seen the advantages. For one, it gives you the opportunity to see the unbelievable and ridiculous, which can be common on some of these pay sites. Another reason is that it really gives you a sense for how other people play the game; that is, you build up a decent read on various player styles and betting patterns.

Yes, most of the critiques about free poker are valid---too many go all in with nothing, lots of bluffing, loose-loose semi-illogical play, etc.---yet even with all that, it CAN still improve your game.

Many of my friends jumped from our local home games into the on-line world and got crushed. These guys were all very good players and would consistenly dominate live B&M games, and yet they were completely unprepared for what was "out there."

My experience has thankfully been very different and I attribute it to lots of free poker playing. I think of it as being analogous to the idea that to prepare for any game/sport you need to practice, practice, practice. Reading poker books and writing to chat rooms should be left for your free time afterwards.

[kurto]

I do disagree. At the very least, go to Pokerstars where you can play for .01/.02bb. The free games are meaningless and people's play rarely resembles real poker.

[Macedon]

I knew someone would disagree.

What is the difference between free poker and poker played at the .10/.20 level? (Don't tell me because its real money, I'll fall off my chair.)

Why waste risking 20 cents (oooh) to learn the game when you could risk a free chip and learn it just the same? The play is not THAT much different.