I've been reading/researching/studying and playing online with fake money.

What I'd like to know is... how will I know when I am proficient enough to play and win (at least decently) FOR REAL? How do I know when I'm ready to go to the casino?

Anyone else have this problem and if so, how do/did you know when you're ready?

Okay, thank you.

It depends what your goals are. If you want to have fun I'd say just learn the rules and be prepared to lose. If you want to have a session with a positive expectation that will take much longer.

It would help if you read about the limbic nervous system, tells, ticks and that kind of stuff. You're playing against people, they'll tell you what their holding. After that you'll need to know just basics about poker. I'll say its 70% reading and 30% poker strategy

Play a little online with real money (most sites have small min. desposit limits like $20) and see how you do. It'll give you some experience with playing for real money. Play money tables are SOO loose, it is tough to gauge your level and try new strategies.

For example, in a play money room if you raise from the cut-off to try and knock the button off his hand and buy position, they'll likely call because it's fake money. However, they'll probably fold at the real money table.

Originally Posted by Poker92

For example, in a play money room if you raise from the cut-off to try and knock the button off his hand and buy position, they'll likely call

What does this mean exactly? I'm still learning...

Thanks for the help everyone!

I heard it said that you're good enough when you can watch a table and spot the easy marks. If you can't and you sit down then you're most likely going to be it.

The cut-off is the position at the table second to last to the Dealer button. If you can get the person on the button - they have the dealer button in front of them- to fold they're hand you will then become the last person to act. Acting last is a great advantage because you can see what everyone has done and base your decision off the information.

Originally Posted by Poker92

The cut-off is the position at the table second to last to the Dealer button. If you can get the person on the button - they have the dealer button in front of them- to fold they're hand you will then become the last person to act. Acting last is a great advantage because you can see what everyone has done and base your decision off the information.

Ok, thank you.

Originally Posted by I'mRooted

I heard it said that you're good enough when you can watch a table and spot the easy marks. If you can't and you sit down then you're most likely going to be it.

But don't you have to play in order to watch?