Where to begin

Where does a new player begin? Is it best to read about poker or have a friend explain the mechanics- I've played before but not to the point of committing everything I need to memory. At what point do you go and play live? Is anyone else just starting out? I'd love to hear your experiences- although I work in this industry- I have not been an actual Poker Player and I'm excited to learn.

-Bonnie

Begin with online but playing with Play money. This will at least help you with what hands beat what, when you pay blinds, etc. Read alot of books, magazines, forums etc. Then put you in a small deposit and begin playing at the micro levels. Dont get crazy or discoraged. Play within your Bankroll.

Goodluck and welcom to CC.

When I first started online with nlhe a few years ago, I just had a friend explain it to me and that was it. It was not enough. Although I knew what beat what and had a basic understanding of hold'em, I treated it as a drawing game, which leads to disaster.
You should do some reading, even around this forum, and maybe play some freerolls to get the feeling.
Good luck

As soon as you can get into some friendly home games where you don't play for money! Or some games where you play only for money you don't care to loose.
Live poker is a totally different game than online poker, and funny in so many different ways IMO.
When you start feeling comfortable with your game playing in those live settings, you can consider playing for a more serious buck if that's what you want.
Good luck

No reason to for play money. Start at NL 2 and if you dont want to put up money, this site has some competitive freerolls.

Absolutely, positively the best book for a beginner is Phil Gordon's "The Real Deal" - now known as "Phil Gordon's Little Black Book: Beginning Poker Lessons and the No Limit Lifestyle".

Also his DVD "Final Table Poker" is excellent for beginners.

There are many starting points, but none better than this.

i learned from my friends as well. but you'll get a hold of it after you've lost couple thousands of dollars.

Like NC royals said if your just looking to get some better understanding or feel for the game I would start with play money online poker. Then play some friends in some home games before moving on to real money online or in a casino/cardroom/or big tournament. But combining reading with playing could never ever hurt. Good luck in whatever you decide to do and welcome to cardschat.

I was a casual play money player (on Zynga poker, no less ) for a long time before I turned to real money games. I'm naturally pretty frugal and risk averse when it comes to money, and the idea of wagering REAL MONEY in a CARD GAME seemed daring and edgy and almost unthinkable at the time.

But I was beating the highest level play money SnGs (LOL Zyngaments), and eventually just started wondering if I could take on tiny stakes real money games as well. Because of my risk aversion I started reading up on real money online poker before I even made my first deposit, so I was at least somewhat clued into basic strategy, rakeback, what my options were with regards to poker sites, what to expect as a complete newbie, etc. Studying and playing went hand in hand from day one.

It must have helped because I was able to run with my first deposit, and haven't needed to reload. I played like a moron in those early days, but I guess less so than the field on average.

It was amusing to return to Zynga a couple of weeks later, armed with my new insights into how to play SnGs somewhat properly, and come to realize how awful these players are; how truly awful I was back when I thought I was so good for being able to beat high stakes play money SnGs.

Uh, so, to summarize--start small, study as you play, grow gradually.

I'd agree with the author you've chosen but I'd have to say 'The Little Green Book' is the one go with it for someone starting out. It's a well-written book, easy to read & covers all the basics.

What?

Green is his "intermediate" book. I know, still basic, but Black is definitely the starting point. Have you read it?

All I can say is when the best thing you can say about a poker strategy book is it has pretty pictures - well....


BTW, FOR SALE: One slightly used copy of Ace on the River - no, it's not autographed (does that affect the value?)

Yes I've read it. If I hadn't, I would've have commented about it.

And you are saying Green is more of a beginners book than Black or just saying Green has the better content?

I think PO means that he's lost way more than that and still doesn't get it!

Better content. I'm just assuming that although OP is just getting started, they work in the industry & are likely to have some understanding of the game. I always recommend "Little Green Book" to friends who are starting out (and folks on poker forums).

Bad read then. I said "what?" in response to that guy's post because I didn't understand why he'd write that in response to a new member's question (& why he'd assume that they'd toss away thousands on the game).

Also, not sure what's up with the comments you've been directing at me.. please stop.

Okay, that makes perfect sense. BTW, not challenging or picking on you - I've read many of your posts and you have earned my respect and admiration.

I started playing with play money, but also picked up a lot of great pointers reading Super System. Still refer to it every now and then for a great refresher.

I started playing poker at my bestfriend's birthday at her house and from then on, I was hooked with the game. I play everyday depending on my free time. Poker has helped me with socializing to different people both online and personal, and I also got a lot of friends thru this game. By the way, Unibet is the website that I usually play online

Welcome to CC

thanks, I appreciate it

Tks! I respect & enjoy reading your posts as well.

The only reason I would recommend playing play money or those larger site free-rolls is to get a feel of the software simply because you are never going to get a feel of the game from them. I went back to playmoney for a little bit after playing in $2.25 MTT's and 0.02/0.05 games and omg was the play just so much worse. Its nothing like poker at all IMO. If at all possible I would learn the basic rules of the game (what beats what....when to bet etc), deposit $30...play the small stakes games....lose that money, and then start reading up on all the strategy articles that are available on here and the rest of the internet. I think giving the game ago first would give you some much needed context