New Poker Player

[rowmare]

I'm a newbie poker player, and I'm not afraid to admit it - I know there's a lot of new players out there.

Here's a lesson I learned last night: Every table is different. Pick your table with care - if you find yourself at a table with particularly aggressive players, or players who are obviously much better than you, it's easy to find a new table with different player chemistry.

My first table last night (a limit table) has two very aggressive players who seemed to be taking turns winning the pot. I mean, these people just couldn't lose!

I figured "ok, this is a great learning opportunity for me", but when I lost my full house to a better full house after an intense heads up battle, I started thinking maybe I ought to find another table. I should have left that table a lot sooner than I did.

I did finally leave and found myself a good table - this time NL - and I just couldn't lose. The players were completely different - I had such great luck this time, that I found myself in another predicament. After winning the pot a few times consecutively, I couldn't coax any money into the pot - If I raised pre-flop almost all of them folded. The remaining ones would leave after a post-flop raise. I had to either play slower or to find another table!

[jpm]

When I was first starting to play, I found similar things. Table chemistry is important. Also, I found that watching real games for a while before starting to play even for play money was helpful. Then play for fun or in a cheap tourney to get experience. I personally prefer to play tournaments than regular tables. Its cheap, lots of good action, the satisfaction of knocking someone out with a great hand, and a decent payout at the end.

[rowmare]

When I was first starting to play, I found similar things. Table chemistry is important. Also, I found that watching real games for a while before starting to play even for play money was helpful. Then play for fun or in a cheap tourney to get experience. I personally prefer to play tournaments than regular tables. Its cheap, lots of good action, the satisfaction of knocking someone out with a great hand, and a decent payout at the end.

A lot of people have told me the tournaments are great. I think I'll have to enter some!

Thanks.

[jpm]

Good luck! You may want to try fixed limit tournaments to begin with. Too many people go all in if they see a face card in their hand in the cheap NL tournies. Drives me crazy. Also, remember to be patient, wait for your hand.

[Randy]

Rowmare-

That wouldn't be our table you're talking about, would it? LOL

You play very well. As near as I can tell, you're learning much faster than I am.

I play $10+$1 SNG's and track my performance on a spreadsheet. I have a 40% ITM ratio now. Multi-tables are a lot of fun too.