Play money games worth the time?

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slenesm

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Hello all,
I'm new to playing poker online, and want to get some practice before I deposit money anywhere, is it possible to start building experience in play-money games or free-roll tournaments, or are the dynamics too different from real play to be worth anything.

What are the best sites for someone in the U.S just starting out to gain experience without risking too much.

Thanks
 
K

Karametric

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play money is very very different from the real thing. stay away from it in general unless you need to get a feel for the software or how good odds are on hands (ie how often does your flush draw hit?)

freerolls aren't too horribly far from micro stakes tournaments, especially if you can get past the first hour or so. It isn't a bad way to learn MTT play, but it will teach you some bad habits along the way as well. if you play like that in higher stake ones you will get eaten alive, but it is a good first step to start and learn basics (tight beginning, loose later, position etc).

most of the US sites feel about the same to me as far as softness/where to learn best, so i don't really have any recommendations here.
 
dj11

dj11

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IF you approach play money poker systematically, I maintain you can learn everything you need to succeed at real money poker.

One huge caveat tho. You can not learn anything about the scared money aspect involved in poker. Make no mistake, that scared money thing is real, and a bigger influence on our play than most will acknowledge. To counter that, I took pride in making a goal for play money poker...in my case it was 1 million chips. That means you have to figure out how to get enough chips to play in bigger buy-in games.

Note that there are many around here who think I'm nuts. :eek: In my defense, there are also many around here that agree with me.;)
 
12551255

12551255

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If you have experience playing live, then I don't see any problem with a small deposit, but if your new to poker then play some free tournaments. Don't make a deposit until you can win them.
 
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jigglypuff99

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Although I'm relatively new to the game myself, I definitely think that you can benefit from play money. With play money you can get comfortable with the mathematical aspects of the game like pot odds and calculating your outs.
 
crusinnn

crusinnn

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IF you approach play money poker systematically, I maintain you can learn everything you need to succeed at real money poker.

One huge caveat tho. You can not learn anything about the scared money aspect involved in poker. Make no mistake, that scared money thing is real, and a bigger influence on our play than most will acknowledge. To counter that, I took pride in making a goal for play money poker...in my case it was 1 million chips. That means you have to figure out how to get enough chips to play in bigger buy-in games.

Note that there are many around here who think I'm nuts. :eek: In my defense, there are also many around here that agree with me.;)

Agree. ^^

Play money is a great way to learn discipline . Lots of all ins, reckless plays etc. You would be lucky to see a normal hand play without 2-3 ppl going all in but it cost nothing and a great way to have a feel of what the real thing is. Good luck.

Forgot to mention, freeroll is another great way to practice for free.
 
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bluejay2220

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play money is different, however occassionally you can find a table where people are actually playing rather than shoving all in constantly. Freerolls usually are no better, but after the first hour or so people play better, its just a lot of time for a small reward with a ton of players. Cheap games are kind of the same but vary. Higher buy ins people start to play better but theres always a moron. So yes, you can play all of those, but it might not be the practice you are looking for but you can still practice, and practice reading people, its just players will play any two cards.
 
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bluejay2220

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Oh, if you are just doing play money you can get an account on pokerstars and/or full Tilt, U.S. can not play for money on those though Ive heard that was to change. Free rolls you can go to Black chip and Americas card room as well as full flush which is similar to full tilt if you like that set up.
 
atlantafalcons0

atlantafalcons0

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Play money games are worthless IMO.

Freerolls can be of some value if/when you run deep in them since there is at least something to be won.
 
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BullWink

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I think play money is very different than freerolls, in that freerolls have a cash prize. Since people are playing for real money, I believe that after the bingo players are weeded out (after the first hour), then more realistic poker is played - especially if you can make it into the money OR preferably to the final table.
I would strongly recommend trying to find a tournament with a smaller number of players even if this means a smaller prize pool. It requires MANY, many more games played if you are playing against 2000 opponents vs a game where you are playing against 100 players. It can be very disheartening to play 100 games (against 2000 opponents) and never be in the money. But if you play 100 games against 100 players, you should (on average) be in the money 3-10 times. Sure, you might only win a dollar or less, but it still feels good. You can then use this money to fund another buy-in.
 
P

playn4fun

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Since I first stated playing for real money (hence the name again) I only play them once in a great while still fun though :)
 
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LornaMurray

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I think it is a good idea to have all the knowledge before investing money anywhere. And yes, it is possible to build money game experience.
 
Dangerboy

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Risking real money in a poker game, the first time you play, you can be a daunting experience - especially if you are not familiar with all the rules. The pressure to be everything to watch the game, and at the same time try not to lose your hard earned your money, they often become overwhelming and therefore prevent the correct játékban.Abban the unfortunate event that you lose your játékzsetonjaidat, nothing to worry about, because the poker room is simply more free chips emit to you, and you can begin to re-build your bankroll. I recommend all beginners know :)
 
VizziVizo

VizziVizo

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It can give you some practice, but real money poker and play money poker are diferrent,real money players know where is "fold" button:)
 
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avner

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play money is good only to learn the game flow, but when you want to build your bankroll it becomes waste of time cause most ppl goes risk-free all-in with stupid hands
 
A

AKBugatti47

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Play money is good to get the concept of playing but you could make a bad habit of not taking the game seriously if you play it for too long because you wont feel the loss or gain as much
 
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