Help on Getting started with Poker

Been going to Vegas for a number of years and I am still trying to find the "courage" to start playing poker.

I have grown tired of slots mania (although i enjoy the comps)....

Does anyone have some helpful web sites or ideas how to start and where to start playing poker.

I am assuming this is the game that requires the least amount of $$$ investment ????

IMHO, it is not likely someone can 'learn poker' without paying their dues.

Although online play, some poker rooms (offering "free lessons") and books or other writings will 'teach' you the game, only experience and actual play may make it a low cost or profitable game.

And in the world of poker, there are just too many variables to answer your questions.

And, until you do learn, and gain some skills, you can expect to lose.

The 'real world' of cash games is totally different from the online games. It is not an easy game to learn to become profitable, or even break even.

The free online play sites are, IMHO, worthless. In the real world, people do not play like that. so no 'experience' other than the basics will be gained.

I'm sure there are bigger experts than me regarding this topic on this board.
pokernews.com is a big site and I know they sell all the strategy books.

My best training device was a WSOP simulator computer game. Just by playing thousands of hands you can get a general feel for the basic statistics of the game (in other words, how good your hand really is compared to everyone else.).

I've only played low limit games at the now extinct El Cortez Poker Room. You didn't have to be much of a pro to hold your own there. It was not the least bit intimidating for me as a beginner. I'm sure there are other rooms like that around town. Ultimately real poker is not my game of choice. It requires alot of concentration and long hours if you plan on playing tournaments. I don't have the attention span for it beyond a low-limit recreational level.

******quote***

1. Play the players more than you play the cards.

2. Choose the right opponents. If you don’t see a sucker at the table, you’re it.

3. Never play with money you can’t afford to lose.

4. Be tight and aggressive; don’t play many hands, but when you do, be prepared to move in.

5. Always be observing at a poker game. The minute you’re there, you’re working.

6. Watch the other players for “tells” before you look at your own cards.

7. Diversify your play so other players can’t pick up tells on you.

8. Choose your speed based on the direction of the game. Play slow in a fast game and fast in a slow game.

9. Be able to quit a loser, and for goodness’ sake, keep playing when you’re winning.

10. Conduct yourself honorably, so you’re always invited back.

***endquote***

Amarillo Slim in a World Full of Fat People by Amarillo Slim Preston and Greg Dinkin.


There are people in Las Vegas who make a living playing poker. They know it is not a card game.

The quotes by Don Diego are very valid. My suggestion would be to put some time into reading and studying odds and especially tells. Go ahead and play online too.
IMHO, Poker play has been changing which is why you see so many new names emerging. Is it because of the intenet and differing strategies?
My suggestion would be to play in some low entry fee tournaments to get comfortable, relax and enjoy what you are doing. I think the IP/Quad/Linq or whatever you want to call it is a good place for play with helpful, polite and friendly dealers. El Cortez was another good place to gain experience and I am sure other recommended rooms will be posted on here.
Avoid any room where you suspect you see players are playing as a team. It can happen.
You will probably make some foolish mistakes at first due to nervousness, such as betting or folding out of turn. We have all seen it or done it.
But go ahead and get involved and enjoy yourself.

wow, the advice given from roadtrip and dondiego was pretty much spot on and I can think of very little more to add except;
#1 keep the drinking (AKA liquid courage) to a minimum,
#2 do not try long sessions just because you hear guys saying they have been at the table 36 hours in a movie or even in real life. Its a bitch to do and means nothing!
#3 The bully talking crap....you might as well get used to. If you have thin skin, poker might not be your game. Mostly the guys are great but you will run into that one idiot big mouth on occasion
#4 Start at the lowest buy in table ($60 dollars) with minimum bets $1 small blind, $2 dollars big blind for example.......to get in as many hands as possible and if you lose it all, it was only $60. If you lose your buy in.....leave . Go to another table at least, if not go to a completely different casino.

Try it! I am a craps player and dabble in poker and really enough it.

Along with some of the good advice listed above, I would suggest you look for low level limit games like $2/$4 hold'em to get a general feel for live play and learn common table etiquette. Stay away from no limit games until you are comfortable playing live poker.

I will be looking for the low level limit games.

Thank you all for the advice.

You could try playing in one of the cheaper tournaments. You'll find a lot of first time players there and the dealers are usually quite patient. You can learn a bit about the etiquette and the betting without losing your shirt. Good luck!

- Linda in TX

Everything above is good advice.

Almost all of the poker rooms in Vegas are a mix of tight locals and loose tourist. The strip is heavy on the tourist' and off strip heavy on the locals.

I have been playing poker most of my life and I still don't have it down pat. Everyone will tell you that poker is a game of skill, and it is. That said, luck plays a big role as well. I have seen players who barely knew what they were doing win and win big for months on end. I have seen professional players go "card dead" for equal amounts of time. So, play the best you can but don't expect to always win just because you know what you are doing.

Another good piece of advice I was given long ago, Don't get mad. If you lose, if someone plays stupid and sucks out, if the dealer 'mis-deals' when you have pocket aces, if some bully starts bad mouthing you, or any other thing that might upset you, don't let it get to you. If you get mad for any reason you will start making mistakes.