What's the best way to learn?

**Argentis** · 02-18-2008

Hi, I'm just starting out playing, and I was wondering what the best way to go about it is? I'm playing for free in some of the online games, and I've been to a couple of live games at the local casino. I've done all right, but I want to improve, and I'm feeling a bit overwhelmed as to where to go for help. Any suggestions would be much appreciated.

Argentis

**davidab157** · 02-18-2008

Welcome!

Best way to learn is practice practice practice, preferably with real money at stakes you can afford to lose at. Dabble in some tournaments and cash games and try to figure out which you prefer, both live and online. Be prepared to lose when you start out but just get the experience.

Then, reading books/forums and posting hands is the next step to understanding the basics.

**MJPerry** · 02-18-2008

NL2 with a $50 roll.

If you start off with good bankroll management now then you'll be good for the rest of your poker life.

Read read read and try to apply the things you learn to your own play.

Remember even if you lose on a 100-1 shot you still played well.

Don't be afraid to ask questions. We can be dicks sometimes but if you give as good as you get you'll learn a lot here.

**Argentis** · 02-18-2008

Thanks for the replies guys. Are there any recommended books out there? Also, what are the samllest stakes out there? And what sort of bankroll should I be looking at?

**MJPerry** · 02-19-2008

Originally Posted by Argentis

Also, what are the samllest stakes out there? And what sort of bankroll should I be looking at?

Er...

*looks up*

For a total novice I think Phil Gordon's Little Green Book is a pretty good starting point.

**classickred** · 02-19-2008

read sklansky's Theory of Poker first, if not for anything but to shape the way you'll think about the game

then read sklansky and malmouth's Small Stakes Hold 'em

or, if you're a tournament player substitute Small Stakes for Harrington on Hold 'Em

play hands, post hands here for analysis, and one more thing that people don't mention is to post your own analysis of other's hands, even if you are new

MJ's suggestion of .01/.02 NL with a $50 roll is a good starting point

**Ranger390** · 02-19-2008

Playing online with play money is a great way to learn about the importance of having good starting hands, the importance of position, and the playing style of various players. Regardless of the stakes, this kind of information will serve as a solid foundation on which to learn the higher level complexities of the game. At the same time you are playing with play money, as Classikred said, read Sklansky, Malmouth, and Miller's book on Small Stakes Hold'em (this is primarily a book about Limit Hold'em) and then read Harrington on Hold'em (which is greared toward No Limit). Then, take a trip to a local casino and play live games or tournaments. Personally, when playing live at a casino, I do much better playing low stakes Limit Hold'em ring games. There are a lot more weak players at those tables. Their repeated mistakes of playing too many hands and going too far with them make money for me. If you do well there, and after carefully studying Harrington's book, try some No Limit ring games and some tournaments.

**deck** · 02-20-2008

Well friend the best way to learn poker is by practice but for making professional hand you got to have strategies, tips and knowledge about poker for that you can visit the sites that are available on net.

**MJPerry** · 02-20-2008

Ooh, waiting 33 posts to spam? Nh.

**jenifer** · 02-20-2008

The best way to learn poker is to spend time with some professional player and try to gather some tips and strategy from them.

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