"If I could do it again......"

So, I've lurked on the forums for quite some time now and recently have become active as far as posting is concerned. I know that many of the active members here are seasoned and have been playing poker both online and live for quite some time now.

I know that there are many bits and pieces of sage poker wisdom scattered all throughout the forums, however I know it would benefit me (and hopefully others) if there was a place with really key points to remember, or things to accomplish before entering the world of poker or even moving on to the next level.

So my question to all of the pros out there (or really to anyone because we can all learn something from each other regardless of level or experience. I think everyone has something that they can offer) is:

If you could do it again, what would you do differently?

I realize this is quite a broad question. What I'm NOT looking for is "I'd go back to that one time I went all in with KK even though I was pretty sure he had an Ace and lost my $200 bankroll". The better and more generally acceptable application to that statement would be, "Knowing when to lay down a great hand is just as important as knowing when to play it"

Answers can include anything from books that you wish you had read before you really started playing, mathematical concepts, sayings, or tactics that you've learned that you feel consistently make you a better player or dramatically changed your game (or the way you think about it).

If it's possible, I will try to update my post with the most helpful/common pieces of advice that everyone has come up with. That way they will all be at the top so less sifting will be required!


Thanks again for all of your help. I'm really looking forward to what everyone has to say!

I wish I would of discovered this forum when I first started playing, I encourage all the newer members of this forum to read the posts and research the threads for stuff that you find helpful, I have read some pretty helpful information on everything from how to deal with going on tilt to what is proper bankroll management. I have read my share of poker books, but in my opinion I have found this forum just as helpful to my game.

if i could do it again, i would play more hands.

If I could do it again, I would played more conservative.

if i could do it again i would play with a little more patience...and maybe a lil more understanding towards the game woulda been nice too

i dont think i'd change a thing

Deposit money instead of playing countless freerolls to get in the real games...and then needing to deposit anyways to withdraw. GL

I would have deposited more to start. I started with 20 bucks and out of stubborness refused to deposit more. After roughly a year I have turned it into a nice little starter roll but I should have deposited a hundred bucks or so to start and not wasted so much time.

deposited only 25 dollars to start and built it to 300...then lost it all wish i would have slowed down and managed my bankroll

If I could do it again, I would actually learn to play the game the right way instead of just busting my BR countless times.

i wish i had stuck in at school and got a really top paying job so i wouildnt have to grind out money at poker

Well for me personally (I've only deposited once), I would learn win to walk away. I actually did a very good job of building a nice bankroll quite quickly, but I lost it even quicker by going on tilt and pulling crap like going to higher tables I shouldn't have been at and losing it.

So the moral of my story would be, " Set yourself a time limit, play till that time, and shut it off regardless of whether you're up or down"