Is It Just Me Or????

pkrplr4116

pkrplr4116

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I got my start playing poker almost 3 years ago by playing online. Where I was living in Florida, we didn't, at that time, have live poker rooms close enought o play live, so I didn't give live poker a thought. However, as I began to sutdy more about the game and get a little better, I discovered I did want to play live cards. I have thousands of hours of expereince of playing onloiine and less than 100 playing live. I have found that my live game sux! Big Time! And while my online game sux, too, it doesn't suk quite as much as my live game. Does anyone have any tips to help me bring my live game at least up to the point of my online game? I am a tourney player, for the most part, not a ring game player. My limits are the $45 game at Suncoast, the $80 game at Orleans and a couple $300 wsop Circuit attempts. No cashes, yet. My 2 best finished were an 11th and a 18th.
 
dj11

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Jane,

Just as soon as I develop any kind of live game experience, I'll pass it on.

What kind of play are you running into in Vegas? Is it High Stakes Poker type play, full of lagtards, or is it rock hounds?

Are you playing ring or tourney?
 
Tammy

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The only thing you can do is get as much experience as possible. I remember my first live experiences. I was a bundle of nerves, and my adrenaline was in over drive. Trying to calm myself so that my pulse beating in my neck wasn't visable, or trying to keep my face from flushing when I had a hand was something that I've had to work on. And it's something that only comes with time.

I don't play a lot live, but at least one or two games a month, and I can say I have nearly gotten rid of those jitters. My advice to you would be to keep things low-key, until you start to feel comfortable in your skin. Keep the buy-ins low, stick to the smaller "touristy" type tournaments, then work your way up. Since you're already in the thick of the action, right there in Vegas, I'm sure you'll be a natural in no time.
 
Vollycat

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They are 2 nearly completely different games. You will not see nearly as many hands within each blind structure, and you are most likely not NEARLY as deep stacked live as you are in any online tourny. Just like is said so many times, play, play, play.

Watch how some of the sucessful people are playing the live game, and take pieces of their style that can still keep you in your comfort zone. However, you'll find that many times due to stack depth and blind speed, there isn't much 'poker' in many of your opponents game. Stay patient (a BIG difference for live play) and the hands and your fish will come.
 
Chiefer

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i play live quite often, i don't really play huge tournys but, the best advice i ever recieved about live play, and i'm sure you've heard it before but it is worth repeating. Watch everything, every move, bet, etc. watch the player and not the cards as they are dealt. it's an easy habbit to get into, but even easier habbit to lose. make mental notes as to what X player does when they looks at his/her cards for the first time. that is a great tell.
 
pkrplr4116

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DJ: My money is tight so I only played $1-2NL ring games twice, so far. When I was down by $50 I cashed out. Bought in for $100. In these instances the games were 2 diff days at Flamingo. Both times I really had fun and I'd have to say both times the tourists stayed with any two cards, not even necessarily 2 suited cards.

I bought in to (1) $340 WSOP Circuit Event lost in 2nd hour. (3) $80 games at a locals casino, the Orleans. Came in 11th the 1st time. way out the $$ in the other 2. I bought into to (5) $45 games at Suncoast. Got knocked out early each time. Oftentimes people stay with any 2 suited cards and I get knoked out with their flush or 2 pr or whatever. Now you should think "It is obvious that when you're getting called, you're already beaten. Not always. I've been blindsided bec in my wildest dreams I'd never assume someone would stay w Q-6. and flop 2 pr. but they were suited and I'm betting into to 2 pr with my Qs and A kicker. Stuff like that. Last night I stupidly raised the only player in the hand while I was in the small blind. I had K-10d. Big blind called me. Heads up. Flop is 3 diamonds. I flopped the flush. I bet, he call,s Turn X I bet, he calls. River is X I bet, he goes all in I call. He had A-9. Grrr.
Jane,

Just as soon as I develop any kind of live game experience, I'll pass it on.

What kind of play are you running into in Vegas? Is it High Stakes Poker type play, full of lagtards, or is it rock hounds?

Are you playing ring or tourney?
 
pkrplr4116

pkrplr4116

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Wow! Great advice, all, I will heed it, trust me. Thanks for everything...I'll continue to let you know how I do, good or bad! I love you guys!
Jane
 
roundcat

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You also have a very small sample size for your live play so you may be playing better than you think, and it's coming down at least partially to luck. In order to minimize short-term bankroll pain, what about playing only the smallest buy-in tourneys until you at least get a win or two under your belt?

Do you feel comfortable playing live? That could certainly be a factor. I used to be a more hesitant player live than online, but I feel far more at home at a real poker table than I used to. Still not sure live NL cash games are my thing, but lemme at the tournaments!

I agree with the comment above about watching everything that's going on. That's something I now do far more than I used to, and not only does it make the game more interesting, some players really do give you clues about where they stand. And it's kind of fun when a (usually male) player stares me down, I'll just smile and say "hi," and he'll usually look down, abashed. LOL.
 
KMC1828

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You also have a very small sample size for your live play so you may be playing better than you think, and it's coming down at least partially to luck. In order to minimize short-term bankroll pain, what about playing only the smallest buy-in tourneys until you at least get a win or two under your belt?


I dont really have much live experience, but this would by my best advice I could give you as well. Hit up a bunch of lower level tournaments that way you dont put much of you BR on the line, and you gain experience and possibly some cash in the process. That is, of course, if you're playing to gain experience as your 1st priority and get comfortable with live play.
 
arahel_jazz

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You might consider the $60 buy-in at Planet Hollywood (play tight - watch for tourists - watch for chatty drunks).

I've once heard it said that live $1/$2 NL ring and any tournament under $100 should be played like $.01/.02 or $.05/.10 NL on-line. Almost free-rollish. My experiences in the handful of tournies I've played live were really close to that. Keep your chin up. You will cash in these sooner than you think.

I have a 3 step process.

1. Get a shot of Scotch (relax)
2. Watch all in front of you to act. (standard behavior)
3. If you are in a bet situation, focus on a spot on the board and practice breathing smoothly (I run "what can beat me?" calculations) while your opponent is attempting to get a read.

Also, in Vegas, I try to guess tourist vs. local. I found myself in big trouble over at Caesers during a late night $120 buy-in with an entire table full of locals.
 
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