New player wanting to start off right.

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Decay95

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I've only ever played home games so I'm not quite sure which game mode I'd enjoy the most, because I know that's what people recommend to new players, to play which they enjoy the most. I really want to start off right. Before depositing the $250 on Bovada (to make $500 for their 100% match bonus for new players) that I've planned on doing, I'm doing a lot of research, and this post is going to be apart of it.

I not only want to focus on getting really good with a single game type (6 max SnG, FR Cash, HU Cash, MTT, etc...), but I want to look at the long term as well as the short term, to make the right choice on which I should learn first. I'd love to be able to get good enough to make a decent hourly rate playing, I have the time to do so, and definitely the dedication to get me there (or so I hope). I've considered getting a coach right away to not learn bad habits, almost wanting to try and make poker friends somehow for someone to "take me under their wing" if you will, I really want to do this right.

I've heard a lot of mixed things about which is most profitable. I hear 6 max SnG's are great, cash games have lots of variance, Heads Up you can make a lot of money, MTT is a grind, etc... What do you guys think would be the best for me to learn first, and what my plan of action should be? Sorry for the long post, and thank's in advance!! ;)
 
bullishwwd

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I've only ever played home games so I'm not quite sure which game mode I'd enjoy the most, because I know that's what people recommend to new players, to play which they enjoy the most. I really want to start off right. Before depositing the $250 on Bovada (to make $500 for their 100% match bonus for new players) that I've planned on doing, I'm doing a lot of research, and this post is going to be apart of it.

I not only want to focus on getting really good with a single game type (6 max SnG, FR Cash, HU Cash, MTT, etc...), but I want to look at the long term as well as the short term, to make the right choice on which I should learn first. I'd love to be able to get good enough to make a decent hourly rate playing, I have the time to do so, and definitely the dedication to get me there (or so I hope). I've considered getting a coach right away to not learn bad habits, almost wanting to try and make poker friends somehow for someone to "take me under their wing" if you will, I really want to do this right.

I've heard a lot of mixed things about which is most profitable. I hear 6 max SnG's are great, cash games have lots of variance, Heads Up you can make a lot of money, MTT is a grind, etc... What do you guys think would be the best for me to learn first, and what my plan of action should be? Sorry for the long post, and thank's in advance!! :)
Ultimately, it's gonna be a 'personal' thing (likely will relate directly to what you win the most playing). :)

I don't like to grind for long hours so I usually don't play very many big player MTTs.

I enjoy a game to last < 3 hours so I prefer 1-2 table SnGs and HUs.

A 1 table SnG, full 9 or 10 seater, matches my timeline and style best. Double or Nothings and Triple Ups seem to be easier (less variance), but the pay-out is much less for the same effort expanded.

I may be wrong, but it seems that routinely winning at Cash Games will require a larger bankroll in order to continue playing. The strategy of Cash play is significantly different than playing in tournaments ... but, I know you must already know this fact.

Let me know if you need any help on Cardschat or just ask most anyone here ... most folks genuinely want to assist new members.

My advice to you, get active on Cardschat and qualify for the many freerolls, real money tournaments, League, and the many other special events offered on Cardschat. You will meet some superb folks here.

Good luck, Wally
 
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Decay95

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Ultimately, it's gonna be a 'personal' thing (likely will relate directly to what you win the most playing). :)

I don't like to grind for long hours so I usually don't play very many big player MTTs.

I enjoy a game to last < 3 hours so I prefer 1-2 table SnGs and HUs.

A 1 table SnG, full 9 or 10 seater, matches my timeline and style best. Double or Nothings and Triple Ups seem to be easier (less variance), but the pay-out is much less for the same effort expanded.

I may be wrong, but it seems that routinely winning at Cash Games will require a larger bankroll in order to continue playing. The strategy of Cash play is significantly different than playing in tournaments ... but, I know you must already know this fact.

Let me know if you need any help on Cardschat or just ask most anyone here ... most folks genuinely want to assist new members.

My advice to you, get active on Cardschat and qualify for the many freerolls, real money tournaments, League, and the many other special events offered on Cardschat. You will meet some superb folks here.

Good luck, Wally

Thank's! I'll be trying to meet new people on here and 2+2 to hopefully get a little insight before I go and end up blowing all my money :p
 
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mel33erw

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Bullishwwd is totally right about it being a personal thing. Im the same with a 9 or 10 table. Double of nothings can be tricky though, and Im finding that once you get a higher chip stack to start you pretty much can blind out and still get paid. And there is an always an argument that if you can place in the top 50% then you should be able to place in 1, 2 or 3rd.

Games with over 5000 starting players can be very long games, especially around payout everyone drags hoping someone will go out before for them.

If you play a cash game make sure you sit at a table where your bank roll matches it and watch taking a seat with anyone to your left that has double or triple the amount of cash on the table.

Good luck and Happy New Year.
 
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Decay95

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Bullishwwd is totally right about it being a personal thing. Im the same with a 9 or 10 table. Double of nothings can be tricky though, and Im finding that once you get a higher chip stack to start you pretty much can blind out and still get paid. And there is an always an argument that if you can place in the top 50% then you should be able to place in 1, 2 or 3rd.

Games with over 5000 starting players can be very long games, especially around payout everyone drags hoping someone will go out before for them.

If you play a cash game make sure you sit at a table where your bank roll matches it and watch taking a seat with anyone to your left that has double or triple the amount of cash on the table.

Good luck and Happy New Year.

Thank's, and you too! I'll probably play a little 10nl 6 max, and a SnG or two to see which I enjoy more/generally do better at.
 
bullishwwd

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BTW, suggest you also update and expand as much info on your PROFILE as you are comfortable ... this will assist in your getting access to some Cardschat activities/events ... what is your Player ID on various sites, etc. Don't be shy here. Get to know other members & get as involved as you can be. :)

Wally
 
Mark Gavr

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To play no big deal, most importantly Learn poker hand, and just strumming clock, this is best done in the spin-and-go as to say everything comes with experience.) Good luck
 
Poker Orifice

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To play no big deal, most importantly Learn poker hand, and just strumming clock, this is best done in the spin-and-go as to say everything comes with experience.) Good luck

Maybe I'm losing something in the translation? Because I would suggest that 'Spin-and-go' is not a game you'd want to be playing (but then again... I don't think they have that game on Bovada).


I would stick to 9-man, regular speed SnG's, or FullRing cash game for awhile at first. If you like tournament-syle NLHE, throw in the occassional MTT (or maybe a 45man SnG 'regular speed').

Maybe read a couple books.

Post some HandHistories on the forum for some help.

Don't bother hiring a coach at this point but later on down the road probably a great idea. Finding a mentor would obviously be fantastic!... you're not the only one who had hopes of finding something like this :( lol ). Maybe using the forum as a mentor of sorts til' perhaps one day you meet someone who could take you under their wing (I've mentored a few players before but really don't have the time to consider doing something like this at the moment... maybe someone else does?).

gl
 
BearPlay

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Welcome to CardsChat, we're glad to have you here.

Great intro!

Bullish and Poker Orifice give great advice!

If you need help getting around, just raise a paw!
 
Propane Goat

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+1 to what Wally and PO have said.

If you can avoid open-limping except in very rare circumstances, avoid chasing draws when you don't have the correct pot odds, and effectively manage a short stack (<10BB) in a tournament (shove or fold pre instead of limp/calling then folding OTF) you will already be miles ahead of many players in the microstakes.

DoN's require significantly different strategy, especially on the bubble, so I would recommend playing standard SnG's at first. I've tried to find strategy information on these but there isn't a whole lot out there, IMO there is a wide variation in how you would approach these and it's very heavily dependent on the table dynamics.

Good luck, and we're here to help any time you need it, just ask:)
 
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Decay95

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Thank's for the replies everyone!!
 
bullishwwd

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Thank's for the replies everyone!!
Please be sure to have your User Profiles updated with your poker site names, so that we will know who you are at the tables. Remember, this is a REQUIREMENT to play in our tournaments. Failure to update your profile with poker site user names may result in revocation of your password access.

To update your profile, go to UserCP, then select "Edit Profile" from the left margin.
 
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Decay95

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Please be sure to have your User Profiles updated with your poker site names, so that we will know who you are at the tables. Remember, this is a REQUIREMENT to play in our tournaments. Failure to update your profile with poker site user names may result in revocation of your password access.

To update your profile, go to UserCP, then select "Edit Profile" from the left margin.

For sure! I'm going to play on Bovada though where everyone is anonymous.
 
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Decay95

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Fairly sure I'm going to play cash first. I like the thought that you can sit down at a 18 man 2 table SnG for $5 and possibly win $70, but then again I think I like even more the thought of a more steady income and no cap on how much I can win at a table (or lose) if I end up doing well enough via cash games. My Skype is "gmpoison" if anyone ever wants to give me some pointers :p
 
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Bovada

Look if you really want to play poker for profit think twice about bovada.
Cash game at Bovada Player goes all in after raise on button with 97 off flop queen club ten spade jack spade I'm early with AK off his all in was 720 times the original bet? It was all in pre flop.6 diamond 8 diamond.He made a straight Q to 8 which made me suspicious.However I had the nuts from the Flop.I won of course and just had a bad feeling about player three.Back grinding he is super unpredictable so I lay down a few monsters after missing flops when not hitting trips ,or pairs. I am dealt 66 and raised by player 3 .I lose my entire stack to Q8 off he hit quad 8s board was 4 spade king spade 8 heart 8 club 8 diamond .This is after running bad day before,not playing bad cards though.Lost with Ak off to 26 clubs all in on flop king hearts 4 clubs 8 clubs he over bets I push him all in he calls and hits flush.Did it again to me within ten hands.Then I blow all my profits of the day shoving with best hands made hands on Flops losing to river flushes or one hand he hit trip2s with Q2 verse my AK. All in all on Dec 31 2014 I lost to all spade flushes very suspicious since these hands were called on draws for all ins. I understand pot odds and win loss ratios for betting when boards are flushing.However all in all with the play I have witnessed and been the winner of and now loser dealt cards.My game is still the best. I am not going to play there I have trashed the client. I can tell you a true story of Local Casino poker dealer that you might have you thinking wow. I used to play at this casino everyday.I made average of $350 daily.That averages in around $350 solid cash out all nlh 1-2.One day I am grinding and I always sit just to the left of the dealer.I have 99 and am the bb I raise $11 get re raised $25.I pushed he is short like $125 from start of hand(I have him well covered).I am playing very aggressive tight profitable poker up until my 99.He flips over AA and I have that feeling we all have (yeah I just doubled this guy).But wait board misses both of use 428 on the turn the dealer whispers to me ever so quietly what do you need?This had never happened before,I always over tip,am polite,show extremely good poker skills,dress with nice clothes,most importantly I guess I over tip.I whispered back under my shirt a 9.Game went turn 8 river 9.Aces cracked guy reached into his Ferrari jacket filled out another $100. I over tipped new dealer after 8-10 minutes grinded out as normal.This however changed my mind about cards to this day.Just a true story I do not know the dealer personally or paid him any $ prior or after,just over tipped.I always won when he was dealing and a few other dealers same way there.Others I knew who did not like my style or tight play the opposite cash out would occur. Be Smart Online for me recently was a test run.Which I trashed the Bovada Poker client then emptied my trash( As of Jan 1 2014 3am). I do wish you good luck and good cards.Be smart and trust your gut.I would still be playing on the test run If I would have changed tables after my first all in with the guy.Much easier to see in the past than the present with action. Gl
 
bracadelija

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SNG is my recommendation is to preserve the good bankroll and a gradual progression and therefore profits.
 
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Decay95

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Look if you really want to play poker for profit think twice about bovada.
Cash game at Bovada Player goes all in after raise on button with 97 off flop queen club ten spade jack spade I'm early with AK off his all in was 720 times the original bet? It was all in pre flop.6 diamond 8 diamond.He made a straight Q to 8 which made me suspicious.However I had the nuts from the Flop.I won of course and just had a bad feeling about player three.Back grinding he is super unpredictable so I lay down a few monsters after missing flops when not hitting trips ,or pairs. I am dealt 66 and raised by player 3 .I lose my entire stack to Q8 off he hit quad 8s board was 4 spade king spade 8 heart 8 club 8 diamond .This is after running bad day before,not playing bad cards though.Lost with Ak off to 26 clubs all in on flop king hearts 4 clubs 8 clubs he over bets I push him all in he calls and hits flush.Did it again to me within ten hands.Then I blow all my profits of the day shoving with best hands made hands on Flops losing to river flushes or one hand he hit trip2s with Q2 verse my AK. All in all on Dec 31 2014 I lost to all spade flushes very suspicious since these hands were called on draws for all ins. I understand pot odds and win loss ratios for betting when boards are flushing.However all in all with the play I have witnessed and been the winner of and now loser dealt cards.My game is still the best. I am not going to play there I have trashed the client. I can tell you a true story of Local Casino Poker dealer that you might have you thinking wow. I used to play at this casino everyday.I made average of $350 daily.That averages in around $350 solid cash out all nlh 1-2.One day I am grinding and I always sit just to the left of the dealer.I have 99 and am the bb I raise $11 get re raised $25.I pushed he is short like $125 from start of hand(I have him well covered).I am playing very aggressive tight profitable poker up until my 99.He flips over AA and I have that feeling we all have (yeah I just doubled this guy).But wait board misses both of use 428 on the turn the dealer whispers to me ever so quietly what do you need?This had never happened before,I always over tip,am polite,show extremely good poker skills,dress with nice clothes,most importantly I guess I over tip.I whispered back under my shirt a 9.Game went turn 8 river 9.Aces cracked guy reached into his Ferrari jacket filled out another $100. I over tipped new dealer after 8-10 minutes grinded out as normal.This however changed my mind about cards to this day.Just a true story I do not know the dealer personally or paid him any $ prior or after,just over tipped.I always won when he was dealing and a few other dealers same way there.Others I knew who did not like my style or tight play the opposite cash out would occur. Be Smart Online for me recently was a test run.Which I trashed the Bovada Poker client then emptied my trash( As of Jan 1 2014 3am). I do wish you good luck and good cards.Be smart and trust your gut.I would still be playing on the test run If I would have changed tables after my first all in with the guy.Much easier to see in the past than the present with action. Gl

That's a pretty crazy live game story!!! Where was this out, and how did no one else see him whisper to you? That's pretty crazy! and just by watching some games by spectating tables, I can tell I'm going to make some money by the stupid things people do, lol. Thank's for your input!
 
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Decay95

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SNG is my recommendation is to preserve the good bankroll and a gradual progression and therefore profits.

Thank's for your input. I was thinking the same, can't lose more than the $5 you paid to get into the SnG. Though you also can't win more than the top prize is (if you make it that far).
 
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For most players, no format is ever truly profitable. Try a few variations, see what you like best. Play that. Study, practice, focus on making good decisions and have fun. Play the smallest stakes while you learn. I would recommend NOT starting on Bovada. Playing somewhere you can use tracking software will allow you to improve faster, and give you more information about your opponents than note taking during a single session. Try Bovada after you have a decent feel for the game.
 
Sil3ntness

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Carbon, Black Chip Poker, America's Cardroom, and etc.

I wouldn't play Bovada because of the anonymous players, but that's just my opinion.
---

In regards to your question. It was already answered. Play the lowest micro limit games and find out which ones you are making a profit from. You also have to enjoy playing them or your brain will go numb from the grind. For me I like playing MTTs. I can play cash games, but the constant orbit grinds bores me quickly. Heads up format is fun when you want a lot of action without waiting for your turn. Just look around and find which ones you enjoy.
 
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BullWink

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Duplicate Thread

This thread is duplicated. Might I suggest that you use this thread here:
[broken link~tb]
 
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BullWink

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Since you've mostly played home games, I would start to play in games that are most similar to what you've been playing. This would probably be Short handed or full-table cash games. Note: You may likely find this game is much different than the home game you are used to, as the players will be different all the time (as opposed to the same bunch of guys all the time), and I've found that home games are much looser.
At the same time, try entering some freerolls. This will give you a sense of different styles of play (and players) that you will be up against in tournaments. You will also see the game style change as the game progresses towards the final table.
 
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