A request from a novice.

Hi, before I start can I explain that I am a complete novice, so would you kind fowks please refrain from using any language above and beyond plain simple talk if you would be so kind.



I have been playing for about 6 months now, and being frank, I lost an arm and a leg just whacking money into the poker account and losing it within hours. A lesson learnt believe me.

Anyway, after a while I decided enough was enough, so I stopped paying in and played the freerolls. Learning so much. A pocket pair isnt a justifiable reason to go all in. Least of all when its deuces and you're down to your last $10.

Anyhow, in the past couple of months I've become a very tight player, playing premium hands, and my game has improved immensely. So much so I came second in a $15000k tournie the other week ( won the ticket through a freeroll) and pocketed a cool $2000. SOME ( note I say some ) of my losses recovered. ( that should give you an indication of how crazy I went).

I am now reaching final tables on a regular basis on freerolls, and actually am building up a small amount in my accounts which I intend to take to other tournaments later.

What I want is some advice on how to improve my game further. I am still making dundamental errors, making bad calls when I know I shouldnt.

COuld you give me some tips on how to evaluate what the opposing players have, how they will react and how to act accordingly.

I am currently using the theory that my job isnt to take their chips from them, primarily my task is to protect my own at all cost. I manage sometimes but I find that in latter stages of tournaments I find my stack being reduced by the blinds and I make desperate calls or raises which seldom work and cost me going further.

Is this the right theory to be using..

Basically, can anyone help me become a better player. Any advice no matter how basic it may be would be appreciated..

Hello and welcome to CC

There's no short answer I'm afraid and you need to find a balance between protecting your chips and attacking your opponent. However it is easier to loosen up a tight game than tighten up a loose one so you are coming at it from the right angle.

Can I suggest reading as much as you can from here Poker Strategy - Poker Theory, Poker Articles, Strategies & Tips.
and perhaps post any queries or points of interest here for further clarification or discussion?

Posting hands that you have particular questions about in the Hand Analysis forum will also tell you a lot.

Sounds like you are on the right track though so good luck.

Straight forward advice that may help.
Aggression and discipline, the only 2 words that I think may help you improve.
I mention discipline because you say you call hands when you KNOW you should have folded.
I also mention aggression because it is a big part of final table play.

Maybe a third word - patience. Good luck!

While you should be protecting your stack, you should be trying to build it, staying at or above the tournament average stack if possible. This will allow you to take more chances, steal more chips, and get you more comfortable in the latter stages of the tournament, so that you aren't dwindling and forced to make a tough call/all-in push with a marginal hand.

As far as putting people on hands, make sure you aren't seeing a flop, and then putting them on a hand that you want them to have (e.g. you have TT, you are pretty sure your opponent has aces, but you push all in on an 8 high flop because you want him to have AK). Don't just put him on a hand you can beat, work on taking into account all of the information you have available to figure out his holdings.