I play pokerstars.net with play money, but I was wondering am I playing with anyone at those tables that are playing with real money? I've always wondered if anyone at the same table I am playing at is playing for real money or would that be a whole different version of pokerstars.com?

I usually play the 5/10 Texas Hold 'em NL games.

Also, when I spend $2000 to by into a cash game would that be real money when I start playing cash games? I know that sounds like a stupid question, but when I play and I end up doubling my money I think to myself, would this mean that I just doubled my money if it was real? (same is true if I lose my money too).

I was wondering if I seem to hold a steadily increasing bank roll from my free games is this an accurate indicator that it would be safe to play cash game with similar success? This is wjy I was asking if the table I am playing at ever has anyone playing with real money.

Thanks.

Joey

Play money and real money poker are absolutely NOTHING alike. I have about 200k of play money on Stars and it isn't even close. I was playing 10,000 heads up sit-n-gos and winning ~80% of the times. I then switched to $1 real money heads up sit-n-gos on FTP and started out around 40%.

Don't let that stop you, though. If you're a consistent play money winner, then you definitely know what you're doing and most likely have the ability to learn to become a good real money player. I play $.01/$.02 NL cash games and find it very fairly easy to turn a consistent profit. Just make sure you play tight preflop, aggressive post flop, and don't make risky hero calls. Fold to every reraise unless you have the nuts (or something close to it).

So in summary, you're safe to play cash games, but don't expect to turn a profit too quickly. It takes a few games to understand the flow of the table. You'll hardly ever get called down by people without good hands, and you'll almost never get bluffed at with big bets.

Originally Posted by bobg3

Play money and real money poker are absolutely NOTHING alike. I have about 200k of play money on Stars and it isn't even close. I was playing 10,000 heads up sit-n-gos and winning ~80% of the times. I then switched to $1 real money heads up sit-n-gos on FTP and started out around 40%.

Don't let that stop you, though. If you're a consistent play money winner, then you definitely know what you're doing and most likely have the ability to learn to become a good real money player. I play $.01/$.02 NL cash games and find it very fairly easy to turn a consistent profit. Just make sure you play tight preflop, aggressive post flop, and don't make risky hero calls. Fold to every reraise unless you have the nuts (or something close to it).

So in summary, you're safe to play cash games, but don't expect to turn a profit too quickly. It takes a few games to understand the flow of the table. You'll hardly ever get called down by people without good hands, and you'll almost never get bluffed at with big bets.

Thank you soooo much for the reply! I'm not surprised to hear that the competition is much better, I am looking forward to play against players that are more serious about their game

Interesting that I am reading so many people talking about playing games that are less than $1. That never occurred to me to play such a low stakes game, but I guess that is a good idea to get started.

I guess the first thing is signing up through a Rake Back site. Any suggestions on which one? Or any to stay away from?

I am thinking of getting an account on Cake Poker and PokerStars. I am only interested in CP because of the Rackback options, and I'm not sure it PS will give me the option to get a rakeback account if I already have a play money account through their .net version of their site.

Thanks for your suggestions and tips!

poker tutorials for dummies-

I agree with bob, play money is soooo much different than real money. Think about it....who cares in play money, it doesn't count against your checkbook, but when you start thinking about your money that you worked hard to earn, the situation is totally different.

I've been playing fake money since i am m just new here.. but i am planing to play real money.. bu i am scared.. which poker site is reliable and has a good bonuses?

As said before, play money and real money is way different
the style of play, and just how you feel when you play with real money because you know there's something behind it.

using real money to play poker is really different from playing fake money.. the decision making is different. now for poker site, you can try playing here Play Poker online at SEGAPoker.com | Poker Chips | Poker Rules | Poker Sets | Play Poker Online, i am already a member there.