I will assume play money. I am a fan of play money poker and know there is a lot to be learned via play money poker. I have made the change to
real money, but often find myself back on the play money tables working something out.
The lowest levels of play money poker are the toughest to crack for new poker players. They are nearly insane. But it will be there that you learn card selection, and begin to understand position play. These are the basics you must get a grasp of to move up.
You need to change your game as you move up. You did not say whether you play ring or tourney's. They play different for different reasons. In a tourney your goal is survival, and you really don't need to play anything other than premium
hands unless it is a turbo game or worse, super turbo's. All rules are off in super turbo's. Praying hard is the talent you want to possess in super T's.
If ring, I can't help you.
The play at higher levels will get better and approach real money play at the highest levels.
A common goal amongst players who make the transition to real money is to amass 1 million play chips. You will learn a lot getting to that point, and won't be the guppy all the time when you do finally plunk down your hard earned cash.