unbe-effin-lieveable grrr....

[Nikita]

Rookette, I started out with playchips. I wanted to practice before I attempted money. I found that if I thought as the chips as money, I played them like money, so when I switched to a real money game, my style of play didn't change much. The only thing I had to get used to was money tables have tighter players and I was used to the loose players. At first stay tight when you switch, get a feel for how tight the game will be, then you can start loosening up. So far, it hasn't worked to bad for me.

[rookette22]

Well with me, the transition from play to real didn't change much until the players started to tell me off.

Just like the other night when I called with ace 3 and the 3 didn't show up till the turn and then the ace at river when I went all in; the guy had PP's and was upset cus I kept calling his bet with (what he says, weren't calling cards). But that's how I play when I'm in the play chips table. So yeah now I'm being careful as to what I call with (as not to annoy anyone) and it seems I'm going backwards instead of forwards.

[Nikita]

Rook, have you checked out any of the books that everyone suggests here? I know it's helped my game. As well, you should check out "The Poker Player's Bible" by Lou Krieger . I know when I first started playing, I was playing way too many hands. I fixed that, then I started to play hands out of position. Sure I was hitting with them occassionally, but I was losing more money in the long run. The book gave me insight on what it meant to play out of position and how it affected my game. I try and follow the guidelines for what hands to play in what position and I find that I win more often and lose less now. (Plus it doesn't just talk about hold'em, it's got Omaha and Stud in there too.)

[rookette22]

Jotted down 2 book choices that have been recommended the most for beginners in this forum; Small Stake Hold'em by Ed Miller & Winning Low Limit Hold'em by Lee Jones. Those are the 2 I'm thinking of buying, what do you think?

[Nikita]

I'm not sure; I haven't read those ones. I'm trying to improve my tournament play though. I typically only play ring games when I have a limited amount of time or my son is starting to wake up or fall asleep, so he could be a detrimental distraction and I can quickly leave the game.

Here's what I've read though:

"Poker: The Real Deal" by Phil Gordon
"The Poker Player's Bible" by Lou Krieger
"Hold'em Poker for Advanced Players" by David Sklansky, Mason Malmuth
"The Theory of Poker" by David Sklansky

I haven't read Harrington on Hold'em yet, but that's my next read. In my personal opinion, the more books you read, the better. So it doesn't hurt to buy any book. (Honestly though, I borrowed 3 of the 4 books above from the library, it's cheaper ) It let's you see different options (although most are quite similar) on how to play. That's why I'm at this forum, reading how each person here would play a hand helps me learn what I can do when I get those hands and makes me a better player.

[Spidey44]

For Tourney play, get Harrington on Hold Em. Like others said, not really a bad beat on that play. That's not much for him to call you with his stack. All you had was two over cards so any pair beats you. He just happened to flop two.

[rookette22]

Yup, the more I think about it the more sense it makes. He was chip leader on my table so what's 300 to him? To him it was peanuts so why not take a chance, and the pot was already a little over 600 so yeah he made the right call and got lucky.

[rookette22]

Hmm...I love the Library idea; hopefully I'll find an english version of any one of those books. Can't really afford to spend my money on poker books, so thx for the tip.