Live Poker Advice

I'm sure this thread has been asked to death but I'm looking for a little advice for a first time live player. I've been playing online for ages and have had a lot of success and have grown a lot, now that I"m about to turn 21 I'm thinking about playing some of the live casion games, probably start of at 1-2 and 2-4. If anyone has any advice it would be much appreciated. Also if anyone knows about the Chicagoland live game scene I would appreciate that also.

Oh and I have played live in Canada a year ago for spring break. Did pretty decent, doubled up at 1-2 in a couple hours before I left. So I've played a little bit but would like a couple of tips if anyone has any.

Live games can be a lot of fun, but they are MUCH slower than online games (and you can only play 1 table). Just be patient and know that you can only play around 30-40 hands per hour.

If you're lucky... I'm lucky to see 20/hr at my casino

Since you've only played live once my first suggestion would be to only play monsters until your nerves calm down. Play a classic tight-aggressive until you get comfortable.(this is just to prevent you from a big mistake early due to something stupid like butterflies.) After that you can start to let your natural game to come out.

Secondly, DONT LOSE YOUR PATIENCE!!!!! Due to the act of physically dealing and counting, the game takes alot longer to play out and it is VERY easy to feal card dead when your really not. Like previously stated your only going to see 20-40 hands an hour, versus like 100 online. So it is routine to go whole hours without getting dealt a premium hand.

Patience is the key my friend. And you will always find a noob to get your money just make sure to be ready when the time comes. Good luck

I posted this a while back should help you some.

Live play don'ts

Practice a way of looking at cards at home that is consistent and then stick to the plan. Play tight early on and loosen up as you get comfortable. When the flop comes down look at the player since the opponent will react to the flop once, but the cards can be seen anytime.

You might find this helpful: Playing live: what you need to know

Like everyone said patience is the key and and another important factor is face and hand expression. You going to notice real quick that other player are going to focus on your expressions for hint, so be stoic and don't give anything away. Do the same back and try to read their expression and gather info.

Be very observant, and play it like online poker - the decisions are the same. Read Mike Caros book about tells. Good luck !

Thanks for all the tips guys, really appreciate it.

Live players at $1/$2NL, $1/$3NL - Play like $5NL-$10NL but make sure to add the "Hollywooding" time bank as this happens so freaking often it tilts me, someone plays 80% of their hands and then finally get caught with their hand in the cookie jar with pocket 3's and act like they have to fold aces on a KJ2 Flop... you'll need some red bull and coffee (blended together) + lots of sugar.

Sean Pilgrim, you mean the live 1/2 players play like online .10 players? That's what I generally have been told and from my limited experience I wouldn't argue with that.

Everybody has covered it well here stressing patience and conservative play, but I would add don't be afraid to be bluffed! It is likely you will have a strong hand, but the bet will be more than you would like to risk, it is okay to fold and save your chips for another hand!

I played for a while at a local pub poker league before my first trip to Vegas, and I think it helped me get used to the etiquette and feel a bit more comfortable at the table. Just practicing things like how to look at your cards, managing your chips, keeping track of opponents stacks and pot sizes were all helpful.

Our local pub leagues are all free, and they had prizes of either restaurant credit or sometimes cash.

My tip would be to buy in for the maximum allowed (provided you can afford to lose that much). You want to minimize the pressure of feeling short stacked.

When I play live poker I get in about 20ish hands an hour as well.

Long story short, live poker is good for free drinks and entertainment but you're going to make much more money online.

It would take you at least 2 weeks to play the same amount of poker that most people in a day.

Yes Live $1/$2 NL Players = Online $0.05/$0.10 NL Players

Lucky you, we gotta pay for our drinks here.