Your first cash game

I've only began playing poker(hold 'em) two months ago. I just want to talk about my first experience.

It was terrifying, even though it's only for .02/.04 at Party, when ever I call a bet or raises, I have this paranoia feeling that the opponent has a hand that's better than mine. You guys get that when you first began? Or are the most of you natural at poker? It freaks me out so much that when ever I make a winning, a few cents or maybe 50 cents over my buy-in, I bail out of the table after about 25 hands.

I know, it's not the way to play poker, but I'm better at handling it now, the thing is. I don't want to make a second deposit. If I ever use the neteller, I want to be making a withdrawal. Alright, I don't like losing. But I've accept the fact that with proper BR management, I can afford to lose and still be in the game.

Hi

Well, you've summed it nicely yourself. It is mainly a BRM issue. Your fear only suggests you are playing too high a level.

The fear doesnt exist if you are playing at the correct buy-in. Move down levels until you are comfortable.

i did have those feelings at the very beginning but tht was just coz every time some1 did have me beat

It will get better as you play more and become more confident in your own ability. It may take a while but eventually youll stop and if you dont then maybe you shouldnt play for your own cash and do the freeroll thing then it will be free money tht you are playing with and not your own.

Ps bnkroll managment so early in your playing days

sounds like you're on the right track. relax and have fun with it.

lol. Yeah I was beat numerous times too. I'm improving, but now I have a problem of not value betting with the best hand. I doubt I have the best hand too much. heh.

BR management, I've been reading tons about it. BTW, it's a major hassle making a deposit into a gambling site from my country. Bank credit card rejects out right, I can only do a bank transfer through to neteller or some other e-wallet. So, I don't want to go through the trouble of depositing again. Laziness...

20 buy-ins for $10 NL, I stuck to it for a month plus, worked it up to 30 buy-ins, got bored and tried $25 NL, scared money and got my ass handled to me. 4 $25 buy-ins dropped within 3 days. It's a hobby that I hope I won't have to deposit every month.

Now reworking my BR. heh That's why I'm a true believer of BR management. Scared money... baddd... So, now I'm sticking to my level.

I think it's a natural fear of losing YOUR MONEY!! When you deposit you have to realize that you WILL lose your money and when you deposit, that money isn't your's anymore. Even if you don't lose it, you have to con yourself into playing your best no matter what, and not play scared, and do things unaturally because of fear. I think it's very hard to win any large amount of money playing low-limits, especially if you stay at the same table for an extended period of time...the blinds and rake will eat you away, not to mention the donks, since you said you were playing at Party. Playing the looow limits also probably has something to do with you playing scared...I think playing low limits at party poker would entail more of a luck/hit and run attitude anyway...I suppose it's just one way to look at it. I would suggest playing low buy-in Multi-Table tournaments, possibly with no rebuys, instead of low-rings...but that's just me.

Welly, I'm not sure he can move down very far from $.02/$.04.

edge-t, it sounds like you have a good approach to the game. The fear of losing your chips will go away with experience; you get used to it after awhile. I still get a tiny bit nauseous every time I move up in limits, but it goes away after a couple of sessions.

Yeah, I'm better at handling it now, its just that when you flop top pair with AKo and there's a flush possiblity on the board, you bet the pot hard and some donk still calls with a flush draw, it really sets you on fire sometimes.

That's how I lost that 2 buy-ins at $25 NL. two pair KQ, Bet the pot, villian pushes all in, I pushed and river drops a diamond like a bomb, giving him the flush. The other time, he pushes with a straight draw and river brings him the straight. What can I say? Keep the faith knowing that I'm not giving him the proper odds and over time, I'll get him.

Actually I can, if I deposit at Titan, I'll get to play their $2 NL games. With $50, I have 25 buy-ins!!. I just hope I won't have to drop to that level. Currently at $10 NL, looking to move up to $25 NL.

I was in Vegas 2 weeks ago and got $100 in chips to play 2/4 limit. They accidentally put me at a 1/2 NL table. I'd never played a cash game before and was pretty nervous but after watching a few hands, I decided to stay in it.

8 hours later I cashed out a little over $1300. After boozing all night I figure I tipped the dealers at least $400 so overall did pretty well for myself. Playing with $5 chips for the first time, I had no idea how much money I had in front of me and when I cashed out and needed a 2nd tray I was amazed. To cap it all off, at 6AM I won a 4 jacks jackpot of $189 as well. Overall, a great night and a great intro to NL cash games!