I have a question in the form of a problem.

I took Divebitch's advice and posted this up in the general poker section hopefully someone helps me out with this since it has me abit confused.

This is taken from my original message in the introductions section that i posted.

--I play for fun right now but there was at one point i got a total of 5$ and played in a couple real money tourney's ...needless to say it was a learning experience.
With that said i wouldnt mind taking my poker to the next level and even work on getting into major poker tournaments. I can make it to play money final tables well enough but the real money *free rolls for real money* seems to elude me. My main question being why is that ? is it a gap in skill ? or is it the knowledge that i have something to gain therfore clouding my mind with nonsense ? er anyway hello to all and hope to see you all soon --


Please and thank you in advance

-G

Play money games/tourneys are a great way to learn the mechanics of the game...but that's about it.

The decision making skills that you need to develope to take your game to "the next level" are all risk vs. reward. In play money games there's nothing at risk and no reward.

I'd suggest sticking to freerolls and forgetting the play money games.

Play each tournament one hand at time and post the ones that stump you.

I'd actually go as far as to say that continuing with play money games actually hurts you when playing for real money (yes even free rolls). Forget the play money and either deposit (my actual recommendation) or continue with free rolls. Either way read and think about poker twice as much as you play and keep posting. gl

Thank you both for the advice and i shall stick to freeroll games until i make my first deposit. and or win a freeroll game. I cant wish to immediately become a great player and know that it takes time so im all for patience also from WVHillbilly when you say read and think about poker what is a good poker book to read ? i tried reading one before but it didnt have NL holdem only razz and some other types of games that im not too fond of.

Thanks again

-G

I'd need a ton more info to answer that question, but you can start your reading right here at CC. The strategy articles are really great. Also search for ChuckTs 10K post if you're planning to play cash games. Read lots of the HA posts. Try to post answers to them the way you think you should play the hand. Give detail and your reasoning. Answering these posts is like getting to play the hand for free and you'll get plenty of comments if your play is just wrong so when you are in the same situation and it is your $$ on the line you know how you should handle it.

If you really want a book to read search for the Library thread posted by AlienGenius. He has every poker book known to man and breaks them down by emphasis and what skill level they are geared toward.

gl

spend your time and money on something else ...if you dont have poker software,tons of experience,excruciatingly vast amount of patience, or a new angle that the thousands of players already have against you it will be a long arduous painfull learning experience full of many disappointments and a few happy ones...why? because of RAKE! not only do you have to beat other players you have to overcome a 5-10% house rake...
- if you still want to proceed ...poker , like life is a pyramid ..those at the top scratched and clawed to get there and will do all they can to maintain there advantage over you....my advice - stick to the lowest level- win money against the worst players and most importantly -----limit your time in this addictive pursuit- go enjoy life instead.

On the brightside at least ill be learning but at the same time i got plenty of time and patience to go around..at the same same time i can enjoy life and play poker too, scratching and clawing my way to the top is just going to be one of those things that ill want to do not just for the money but for the ability to get better at the game ...im not going to go off spending 1k either lol i dont even have 1k sooo yeah im going to keep proceeding...TO POWER!!! AWWAYYYYYY!! *flies*

Small edit to Lotsilora i am serious but before i get to 1k id like to first earn 50 then 100 and so on and so forth.

PFB, You must be on tilt big time... Patience my friend.


OP, Please listen to Hillbilly's advice. Read up and absorb posts by ChuckT's and Zachavac too, and also keep in mind to watch post count of a poster before you put a lot of faith in advice.

To repeat a very important thing Hillbilly said, read ChuckT's 10K post. Here's a quick link to it ChuckT's 10K post

deposit like $50 and then read some articles n shit and then play the smallest stakes ever and get some XP and then level up and cast fireball at ur opponents GOOGOGOGOGO

Yeah, qualitative thinking is just too hard...