I feel like the world's suckiest player

Until tonight, I hadn't set foot in a brick and mortar card room since October 12, 2005. I had lunch with some poker playing friends today and went with them to play in a tournament later on. I'd played half a dozen tourneys at local casinos last year before discovering that online play was more convenient.

I was very excited to play tonight, and was sure that with the months of additional experience under my belt I'd be confident and ready to go.

Well, I ended up feeling uncomfortable and like a total novice! I'm a shy person to begin with, and I was honestly quite nervous being there at the table. I acted out of turn twice and felt like a total dolt, especially the second time. Although I got some good starting hands, I wasn't able to do much with them, but did end up winning a couple of pots. I once bet on the river with a marginal hand, though, when I should have checked, then got check-raised by an opponent holding the nut flush (I folded). The guy on my right was busy chatting me up trying to get information about what kinds of hands I played.

On my last hand, I was somewhat short-stacked though not desperately so. I was in middle position and should have gone all-in with my pocket tens, but just raised a little more than 2x the big blind, giving him a good price to call with his ace small. An ace came on the flop and I went all-in hoping he wasn't holding one (doh!).

I'm bothered by the fact that I felt uncomfortable playing live rather than online, but I suppose I just need to do it more often so I can get used to it. Right?

At least I got some good feedback from the friends I went with, who have been doing fabulously lately (one of them just won a WSOP seat + travel + $1,700 in a big local tournament). It's nice to have someone at the table who will tell me what leaks I need to plug!

I've played in a few charity MTT's locally and I did play in one out in vegas last fall, and I know exactly how you feel. I get myself so worked up and nervous that I can't even eat before hand. My hands shake so bad I have a hard time stacking chips, it's really rediculas and I don't know exactly why I react that way. The funny thing is that in the 7 live ones I played in I made the final table 3 times and cashed in 4 of them.

The one out in vegas was my first ever live tournament and wow did I donk out like an idiot... 11th place.... payed to 10.... I could have EASILY folded into the money.

too bad...i had the same problem when i played my first real live tourney & cash game about a month back.
Was WAY overly nervous, and basically was a textbook mouse - very disheartening, but I'm sure you and me both will do better next time

PLaying online and in person are 2 tottaly different things in my opinoin.Kind of hard to read players you cant see...kind of hard to bluff players that cant see you..Also the intimidation facotr of goating and people trying to get under your skin...LOL man it happens to me here and this is just a message board ...anway i think i prefer to play online

Roundcat,

I feel the exact same way when I play in a live tournament or even a cash game. The tourney I played several weeks ago I acted out of turn during a hand. Oh boy was I red but I won the hand with an all in on the turn with pocket Ks whew sure glad to see the other guy didn't have a Jack in his hand for a set I think until we are seasoned more in live play it just take some time. I did apologize to the guy after the break for acting out of turn though. Just made me feel a little better.

Don't worry about it just try to relax and just do your best! And remember have fun too!

I think it's just 1st time (back) jitters. Play again soon and you won't be half as nervous. I guarantee it.

I agree. The first time I played live I was so nervous and was shaking a little and was quite uncomfortable. After that I felt fine and have never looked back. Bring a walkman if you need or just grind it out till your comfortable.