Poker for beginners

st.cronin · 08-16-2006, 03:16 PM

Inspired by Subby et al. plus my own recent trip to Vegas, I have decided it is time for me to learn how to play poker. How do I start? Which game should I learn - Texas hold em, or something else? Should I read some books, play online, visit the poker rooms at my local Indian Casinos, what? Somebody point me in the right direction.

Thanks in advance.

Barkeep49 · 08-16-2006, 03:18 PM

Well Texas Hold Em is perhaps the easiest game to learn and pick up at this time because it is the most popular.

However, what are your goals with poker? I've found that with a little bit of learning I have a much larger edge in Omaha and Stud than in HE at the limits I can play.

Also I think most would agree that playing online is a great way to get a lot of experience quickly since you play more hands on each table than at a live casino PLUS you can play, if you wish, more than one table at a time.

st.cronin · 08-16-2006, 03:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Barkeep49

However, what are your goals with poker?

My goals are to have fun, and next time I go to Vegas or someplace similiar to be able to sit at a table somewhere and not get ass-raped.

dixieflatline · 08-16-2006, 03:24 PM

I would choose hold'em because that is where the games are at right now. I would start with the book "getting started in hold'em". This has a good section on both limit and NL and you can try each out and see what you like. It is $12 at amazon so it won't break the bank.

Barkeep49 · 08-16-2006, 03:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by st.cronin

My goals are to have fun, and next time I go to Vegas or someplace similiar to be able to sit at a table somewhere and not get ass-raped.

Well if your goal is to have fun I'd agree with dixie that you should go the Hold'em route. I found Lee Jones' book, Winning Low Limit Hold'em, to be the best poker book when I was first getting started. If you get interested in SnG, whcih are basically mini-tourneys, I would recommend Harrington on Hold Em.

Maple Leafs · 08-16-2006, 03:34 PM

If you really have no poker experience at all, then my suggestion would be to watch a bit of Hold'em on TV, then go try the play money tables on Pokerstars.

When I first started out, I found all the basic concepts -- raising, checking, calling, blinds, etc -- a little overwhelming. The only way to really figure it out is to get in there and do it.

Just remember, try not to learn any actual strategy at the play tables because the play is terrible.

Barkeep49 · 08-16-2006, 03:38 PM

I will add my advice assumed you had a base level of knowledge. If you don't know what beats what (I know I grew frustrated as a beginner when my three of a kind would lose to a straight) than the play money route is best. I also agree that TV can be a good place to learn though the poker seen there is quite distrorted as compared to reality so try not to learn more than the basics from there.

Subby · 08-16-2006, 03:57 PM

I wouldn't recommend the Lee Jones book - stick with Getting Started in Hold 'Em.

Maple Leafs · 08-16-2006, 03:58 PM

Also, remember that for each hand you lose, raise twice that amount pre-flop for the next hand.

panerd · 08-16-2006, 04:20 PM

When you finally decide to start playing I would suggest playing in one of Cartman's Sunday night tournaments. It would be people you know and who would be willing to discuss plays/misplays with you after the tournament is over. Plus $11 isn't that much to entertain yourself for a few hours.

GoldenEagle · 08-16-2006, 04:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Subby

I wouldn't recommend the Lee Jones book - stick with Getting Started in Hold 'Em.

I remember when you loved the Lee Jones book, calling it "the best investment you have made in poker besides pokertracker".

Yes, I have a fucking brilliant memory.

Radii · 08-16-2006, 06:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by GoldenEagle

I remember when you loved the Lee Jones book, calling it "the best investment you have made in poker besides pokertracker".

Yes, I have a fucking brilliant memory.

I said the same thing, and for a long time, it was the only low limit book in town. Was there a point to your post at all? are you disagreeing with subby or just pointing out that after years of poker experience and countless new books having been released that his opinion might be different now?

jbmagic · 08-16-2006, 06:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dixieflatline

I would choose hold'em because that is where the games are at right now. I would start with the book "getting started in hold'em". This has a good section on both limit and NL and you can try each out and see what you like. It is $12 at amazon so it won't break the bank.

Great book for beginners

After that book get Small Stakes Hold' em by the same author. It goes into more advance things for limited holdem

For beginners its better off starting on Limited and learn that way first.

No limit Hold' Em is more for advance players.

Barkeep49 · 08-16-2006, 06:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jbmagic

Great book for beginners

After that book get Small Stakes Hold' em by the same author. It goes into more advance things for limited holdem

For beginners its better off starting on Limited and learn that way first.

No limit Hold' Em is more for advance players.

I would agree with this except that NLHE tourney can be (easily) learned by beginners. NLHE as a cash game is definitely for those with some experience.

Subby · 08-16-2006, 07:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by GoldenEagle

I remember when you loved the Lee Jones book, calling it "the best investment you have made in poker besides pokertracker".

I am going to need a cite here.

GoSeahawks · 08-16-2006, 07:03 PM

Cardrunner.com

It might not be the best for a poker newbie, but keep it in mind. If you start getting serious you'll definitley want to check it out. The videos are worth the $50 sign up and $20/monthly.

Raven · 08-16-2006, 07:25 PM

I've only been playing for about 6/7 weeks, but I've been putting in a good 30 hours per week (all NL hold'em at pokerstars).

Here are my suggestions.
1. make a ranking list until you memorize it. (ie full house beats flush, flush beats straight etc..)

2. don't try to play too many hands. K4, Q6, J5 etc. should be folded almost always. This is very important. You can find charts online that will tell you what hands to play, raise, reraise, fold etc...

3. avoid cash games until you feel really comfortable. They can take you broke quick. The online sites have freerolls and inexpensive ($1) tounaments. You'll be playing with a lower level of competition and get your feet wet, while minimizing your losses. Even if you play 50 tourneys and lose them all, you should be able to see thousands of hands, and spend a considerable number of hours, while only losing $50.

4. I read Harrington on Hold'em thanks to Radii's suggestion, and it has been a great investment. It seems everyone here is also reading it. It will teach you about position, how to get a read on an opponent hand, and lots of other strategy.

I started with limit hold'em, but got frustrated because at the lower stakes, people will call and draw out on you no matter what they have. While that can work to your advantage, it can be annoying as hell.

Maple Leafs · 08-16-2006, 07:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jbmagic

For beginners its better off starting on Limited and learn that way first.

This might be true. But my experience was that I was frustrated with limit because everything you see on TV in no-limit. When I was just starting out I actually bought a hold'em book and was halfway through it before I realized it was limit... I was like "what a ripoff, nobody plays this".

Barkeep49 · 08-16-2006, 07:43 PM

I think a lot of people don't have the temperment to be a good limit player. So learning at low stakes SnGs is not a foolish way, I think, to learn how to play.

GoldenEagle · 08-16-2006, 08:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Radii

I said the same thing, and for a long time, it was the only low limit book in town. Was there a point to your post at all? are you disagreeing with subby or just pointing out that after years of poker experience and countless new books having been released that his opinion might be different now?

There was really not a point to my post. I just remember him saying it. I think GSIH is the better book. I also still like WLLH. It is a coin flip for me, as I think WLLH introduces players to the game better. Some of the concepts in GSIH will go over a new players head.

Card runners is a good for no limit, terrible for limit type thing.

Icy · 08-17-2006, 04:03 AM

I might be interested too. I run some casino/poker advertisement sites and the bad thing is... that i only know really basic poker and i haven't played it for years. It might be fun and that a lot of FOFCers play it means it must be a good strategy game. About casinos... i haven't ever played in one and i doubt i will, not my thing.

It's always a good thing to know what you advertise, way easier to write text, articles etc as right now i need to hire freelancers to do that job.

dixieflatline · 08-17-2006, 10:15 AM

I have read good things about latest edition of Lee Jones's book. I borrowed and read an earlier version and was not impressed. This was after read "Small Stakes Hold'em" though. As much as the Harrington books have improved my NL game the book that impacted my poker the most was SSH and I firmly believe it is the best poker book ever written. That said, it is too advanced to start out. I did a quick read on "Getting Started in Hold'em" before I recommended it to people and I wish that book had been available when I started. If you go the limit route start with GSIH and then read SSH like jbmagic said. You will be destroying the low limit games in no time.

As for the NL route I just don't believe that people need to start with limit before learning NL. The NL $25 games are very soft and some sites run even smaller games. I just can't think of a reason why someone couldn't start out playing in these games. I personally am a better limit player but there are a lot of people that are exactly opposite. That is the other reason I why you should start by reading GSIH. It has a great limit section and a great NL section. Read both then decide which game you want to try out first.

Lastly, while the play money games are good for things like learning the hand rankings and how the blinds work you will quickly reach a point when they don't have anything more to offer you. When you reach that point consider signing up at one of the sites that offer a free bonus without deposit. This way you will get to play for real money without it actually being your money. Some sites that offer this are listed here: hxxp://bonuswhores.com/no-deposit-bonus/ $10 might not seem like a lot but the difference between .05/.10 limit and the play money games is significant (at least it was when I was starting out.)

st.cronin · 08-17-2006, 11:28 PM

Thanks all! I'm going to stop at the bookstore tomorrow.

jbmagic · 08-17-2006, 11:34 PM

Another great book beside GSIH and Small Stakes Hold'em for limit
hold em is Internet Texas Hold'em by Matther Hilger.

st.cronin · 06-09-2008, 09:30 AM

Update:

I've taken it pretty slow. I started out by reading a book by Hellmuth (forgot the title, but I found it pretty useful). I haven't played online, have stuck to playing live, low stakes no-limit and limit hold em. I almost never get tricky - basically I play only top 10 hands unless I am in late position, then sometimes I try to steal a pot or pay to see the flop.

I recently had a very good session at a limit table, and realized I was actually playing slightly differently against different players, as I picked up on their style. I believe I am now at a profit, including the 8 dollars or whatever it cost me to get the Hellmuth book. Wednesday I am going to try my first tournament, and of course next week I'll be in Vegas and will likely play some there.

Areas where I am weak:

- playing in early position
- playing after the flop
- playing at a small table (less then 6 players)

Also I have read up some on tournament strategy, but I think my comprehension of what I need to do differently is pretty low at this point.

08-16-2006, 03:34 PM	#6
Maple Leafs Coordinator Join Date: Jan 2002	If you really have no poker experience at all, then my suggestion would be to watch a bit of Hold'em on TV, then go try the play money tables on Pokerstars. When I first started out, I found all the basic concepts -- raising, checking, calling, blinds, etc -- a little overwhelming. The only way to really figure it out is to get in there and do it. Just remember, try not to learn any actual strategy at the play tables because the play is terrible. __________________ Down Goes Brown: Toronto Maple Leafs Humor and Analysis

08-16-2006, 03:57 PM	#8
Subby lolzcat Join Date: Oct 2000 Location: sans pants	I wouldn't recommend the Lee Jones book - stick with Getting Started in Hold 'Em. __________________ Superman was flying around and saw Wonder Woman getting a tan in the nude on her balcony. Superman said I going to hit that real fast. So he flys down toward Wonder Woman to hit it and their is a loud scream. The Invincible Man scream what just hit me in the ass!!!!! I do shit, I take pictures, I write about it: chrisshue.com

08-16-2006, 03:58 PM	#9
Maple Leafs Coordinator Join Date: Jan 2002	Also, remember that for each hand you lose, raise twice that amount pre-flop for the next hand. __________________ Down Goes Brown: Toronto Maple Leafs Humor and Analysis

08-16-2006, 07:25 PM	#17
Raven College Prospect Join Date: Oct 2000 Location: Baltimore, MD	I've only been playing for about 6/7 weeks, but I've been putting in a good 30 hours per week (all NL hold'em at pokerstars). Here are my suggestions. 1. make a ranking list until you memorize it. (ie full house beats flush, flush beats straight etc..) 2. don't try to play too many hands. K4, Q6, J5 etc. should be folded almost always. This is very important. You can find charts online that will tell you what hands to play, raise, reraise, fold etc... 3. avoid cash games until you feel really comfortable. They can take you broke quick. The online sites have freerolls and inexpensive ($1) tounaments. You'll be playing with a lower level of competition and get your feet wet, while minimizing your losses. Even if you play 50 tourneys and lose them all, you should be able to see thousands of hands, and spend a considerable number of hours, while only losing $50. 4. I read Harrington on Hold'em thanks to Radii's suggestion, and it has been a great investment. It seems everyone here is also reading it. It will teach you about position, how to get a read on an opponent hand, and lots of other strategy. I started with limit hold'em, but got frustrated because at the lower stakes, people will call and draw out on you no matter what they have. While that can work to your advantage, it can be annoying as hell. Last edited by Raven : 08-16-2006 at 07:27 PM.

08-17-2006, 04:03 AM	#21
Icy Pro Starter Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: Toledo - Spain	I might be interested too. I run some casino/poker advertisement sites and the bad thing is... that i only know really basic poker and i haven't played it for years. It might be fun and that a lot of FOFCers play it means it must be a good strategy game. About casinos... i haven't ever played in one and i doubt i will, not my thing. It's always a good thing to know what you advertise, way easier to write text, articles etc as right now i need to hire freelancers to do that job. __________________

08-16-2006, 03:18 PM	#2
Barkeep49 Coordinator Join Date: Jan 2001 Location: Not too far away	Well Texas Hold Em is perhaps the easiest game to learn and pick up at this time because it is the most popular. However, what are your goals with poker? I've found that with a little bit of learning I have a much larger edge in Omaha and Stud than in HE at the limits I can play. Also I think most would agree that playing online is a great way to get a lot of experience quickly since you play more hands on each table than at a live casino PLUS you can play, if you wish, more than one table at a time.

08-16-2006, 03:24 PM	#4
dixieflatline High School Varsity Join Date: Sep 2003	I would choose hold'em because that is where the games are at right now. I would start with the book "getting started in hold'em". This has a good section on both limit and NL and you can try each out and see what you like. It is $12 at amazon so it won't break the bank.

08-16-2006, 03:38 PM	#7
Barkeep49 Coordinator Join Date: Jan 2001 Location: Not too far away	I will add my advice assumed you had a base level of knowledge. If you don't know what beats what (I know I grew frustrated as a beginner when my three of a kind would lose to a straight) than the play money route is best. I also agree that TV can be a good place to learn though the poker seen there is quite distrorted as compared to reality so try not to learn more than the basics from there.

08-16-2006, 04:20 PM	#10
panerd Grizzled Veteran Join Date: Jul 2001 Location: St. Louis	When you finally decide to start playing I would suggest playing in one of Cartman's Sunday night tournaments. It would be people you know and who would be willing to discuss plays/misplays with you after the tournament is over. Plus $11 isn't that much to entertain yourself for a few hours.

08-16-2006, 07:03 PM	#16
GoSeahawks High School Varsity Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: Olympia, Wa	Cardrunner.com It might not be the best for a poker newbie, but keep it in mind. If you start getting serious you'll definitley want to check it out. The videos are worth the $50 sign up and $20/monthly.

08-16-2006, 07:43 PM	#19
Barkeep49 Coordinator Join Date: Jan 2001 Location: Not too far away	I think a lot of people don't have the temperment to be a good limit player. So learning at low stakes SnGs is not a foolish way, I think, to learn how to play.

08-17-2006, 10:15 AM	#22
dixieflatline High School Varsity Join Date: Sep 2003	I have read good things about latest edition of Lee Jones's book. I borrowed and read an earlier version and was not impressed. This was after read "Small Stakes Hold'em" though. As much as the Harrington books have improved my NL game the book that impacted my poker the most was SSH and I firmly believe it is the best poker book ever written. That said, it is too advanced to start out. I did a quick read on "Getting Started in Hold'em" before I recommended it to people and I wish that book had been available when I started. If you go the limit route start with GSIH and then read SSH like jbmagic said. You will be destroying the low limit games in no time. As for the NL route I just don't believe that people need to start with limit before learning NL. The NL $25 games are very soft and some sites run even smaller games. I just can't think of a reason why someone couldn't start out playing in these games. I personally am a better limit player but there are a lot of people that are exactly opposite. That is the other reason I why you should start by reading GSIH. It has a great limit section and a great NL section. Read both then decide which game you want to try out first. Lastly, while the play money games are good for things like learning the hand rankings and how the blinds work you will quickly reach a point when they don't have anything more to offer you. When you reach that point consider signing up at one of the sites that offer a free bonus without deposit. This way you will get to play for real money without it actually being your money. Some sites that offer this are listed here: hxxp://bonuswhores.com/no-deposit-bonus/ $10 might not seem like a lot but the difference between .05/.10 limit and the play money games is significant (at least it was when I was starting out.)

08-17-2006, 11:28 PM	#23
st.cronin General Manager Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: New Mexico	Thanks all! I'm going to stop at the bookstore tomorrow. __________________ co-commish: bb-bbcf.net knives out

08-17-2006, 11:34 PM	#24
jbmagic Pro Starter Join Date: Apr 2004	Another great book beside GSIH and Small Stakes Hold'em for limit hold em is Internet Texas Hold'em by Matther Hilger.

06-09-2008, 09:30 AM	#25
st.cronin General Manager Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: New Mexico	Update: I've taken it pretty slow. I started out by reading a book by Hellmuth (forgot the title, but I found it pretty useful). I haven't played online, have stuck to playing live, low stakes no-limit and limit hold em. I almost never get tricky - basically I play only top 10 hands unless I am in late position, then sometimes I try to steal a pot or pay to see the flop. I recently had a very good session at a limit table, and realized I was actually playing slightly differently against different players, as I picked up on their style. I believe I am now at a profit, including the 8 dollars or whatever it cost me to get the Hellmuth book. Wednesday I am going to try my first tournament, and of course next week I'll be in Vegas and will likely play some there. Areas where I am weak: - playing in early position - playing after the flop - playing at a small table (less then 6 players) Also I have read up some on tournament strategy, but I think my comprehension of what I need to do differently is pretty low at this point. __________________ co-commish: bb-bbcf.net knives out

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