Advice for New Hold'Em Player?

sam1chips

sam1chips

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I am planning a trip to the casino in a couple weeks, and my dad says he wants to come with me. He says that he wants to play Texas Hold'Em, but he wants me to teach him how to play a little about.

He's played cards ever since forever, and I'm assuming that he might be a little LAG by comparing the way he plays other card games (guts, 3 card poker, follow the queen, etc etc)

So I guess my question is...

What specific Hold'Em advice would be the most important to tell somebody who has a card-playing history, but is new to Hold'Em?
 
Emperor IX

Emperor IX

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Check out some of the basic strategy articles here: https://www.cardschat.com/poker-strategy.php

Other than what you'll find there, I don't know if it is to you, but remember that $200 isn't really a whole lot of money to most people who play at a casino, so add that to the list of reasons that those articles will give you for not bluffing very much.
 
N

nomadnative

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I began teaching my wife hold'em on a plane on the way to Vegas. She had some 7 stud experience. I had her play limit (4/8) and taught her to only play top ten hands with a raise pre-flop and to limp with the rest of top 15% and evaluate the flop. I also gave her a quick rough lesson on calculating equity % (outs x 2 for one street or x 4 for two streets). And of course keeping track of pot odds.

If he's gonna play no limit you gotta teach him bet sizing. This is one of the biggest leaks at small stakes. His bet range should be 1/2 to 3/4 pot. Over betting the pot is very exploitable and betting much less than 1/2 pot will give a lot of draws a good price.

There is obviously tons more you could throw in the mix but these are some things someone could become an expert at on the plane.
 
dj11

dj11

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Get him to play play money games on line to get acquainted with the game.Then suggest what you want, but most of all insist that he have fun.
 
JusSumguy

JusSumguy

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First thing he needs to do is join CardsChat

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O

OliverOliver

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If you could find him a limit game for his first time, that'd probably be optimal, just so he could get a deal for what it's like playing live (dealer, chips, betting, etc.).
 
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TheNoobie

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Yes, finding him a limit game would be the better choice for a first-timer. Also I would recommend you to let him play some cash games online just to get it going, to be a little prepared for the casinos. Cash games are a little different than tournaments, which Im better experienced at, so I cant give you that much of an advice, but playing before he goes there, since it will be his first time, will be the better option, definitely. You shouldnt be teaching him how to bluff yet, since it can bring just as many problems on his head right now. Keep the explanations simple, you can tell him to play premium hands, pocket pairs, suited connectors and etc. You got a little more manuever path in cash games, if you ask me. Just explain him about kickers , how to predict straigh/flush draws. If he has any math history you can teach him to calculate pot odds and his outs. Everything will come handy.
But you really need to find him a limit game for his first time.
Good luck to you both, create some memories together :)
 
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