takethepain
Rock Star
Silver Level
Over the past 4 months or so I have learnt a lot about the game. While none of this advice is ground breaking I thought I'ld put down what I have learnt in the hopes of helping others starting out in the game to get better. Just don't get too good and play on my tables, cheers 
1) bankroll management is key to be successful: - If you want to play poker like you would roulette or the slot machines then by all means deposite $100 and play at $100NL. But if you want to play poker to make money in the longterm I can not overstate how important this is. When I first started playing I did play stakes over my limit, and even though I was probably a marginal winning player at those stakes, variance just kills you if you are not properly bankrolled for it and I wound out losing my deposits. It was only when I knuckled down at started to adhere to proper bankroll management did I begin to slowly but surely increase my bankroll.
2) Seriously Bankroll management is key!!!: - When I had $250 in my bankroll I was playing 5NL. If I lost a couple of buy-ins because of either bad play or I got sucked out on I brushed it off just fine. I had plenty of buy-ins left for this level and I knew I could win it back without too many problems. When I had $20 in my account and I was playing 2NL, I was getting a lot of bad beats which affected me much more than it should have because with every bad beat increased my likelihood of going bust. This put me on tilt which only compounded the problem
3) If you think you are going on tilt....quit your session : I have lost a lot of buy-ins when I have gone on tilt. If you feel yourself getting frustrated, calling down with hands that are marginal at best, making big bluffs with no rhyme or reason just turn off your computer. Trust me, you will thank-yourself later.
4) Learn some basic poker maths: - Poker maths does not require a university maths degree and after awhile it becomes somewhat automatic. But learning about concepts such as EV and pot odds can save you a lot of money and make you a lot of money. Put in the time to learn these concepts, it is worth it!
5) Learn to lay down your big hands: - AA, KK, QQ, AK may all look very very attractive pre-flop, but none of those hands are unbeatable and if you act like they are then you will lose a lot of money with them. If the board has a lot of straight or flush possibilities and you find tight players playing back at you, there is a very good chance you are beat. Lay it down and save some cash.
6) Do pay attention at the tables: - Use a HUD. Take notes on players. Don't check your email or watch tv while playing. Focus everything on your tables and you will play better.
1) bankroll management is key to be successful: - If you want to play poker like you would roulette or the slot machines then by all means deposite $100 and play at $100NL. But if you want to play poker to make money in the longterm I can not overstate how important this is. When I first started playing I did play stakes over my limit, and even though I was probably a marginal winning player at those stakes, variance just kills you if you are not properly bankrolled for it and I wound out losing my deposits. It was only when I knuckled down at started to adhere to proper bankroll management did I begin to slowly but surely increase my bankroll.
2) Seriously Bankroll management is key!!!: - When I had $250 in my bankroll I was playing 5NL. If I lost a couple of buy-ins because of either bad play or I got sucked out on I brushed it off just fine. I had plenty of buy-ins left for this level and I knew I could win it back without too many problems. When I had $20 in my account and I was playing 2NL, I was getting a lot of bad beats which affected me much more than it should have because with every bad beat increased my likelihood of going bust. This put me on tilt which only compounded the problem
3) If you think you are going on tilt....quit your session : I have lost a lot of buy-ins when I have gone on tilt. If you feel yourself getting frustrated, calling down with hands that are marginal at best, making big bluffs with no rhyme or reason just turn off your computer. Trust me, you will thank-yourself later.
4) Learn some basic poker maths: - Poker maths does not require a university maths degree and after awhile it becomes somewhat automatic. But learning about concepts such as EV and pot odds can save you a lot of money and make you a lot of money. Put in the time to learn these concepts, it is worth it!
5) Learn to lay down your big hands: - AA, KK, QQ, AK may all look very very attractive pre-flop, but none of those hands are unbeatable and if you act like they are then you will lose a lot of money with them. If the board has a lot of straight or flush possibilities and you find tight players playing back at you, there is a very good chance you are beat. Lay it down and save some cash.
6) Do pay attention at the tables: - Use a HUD. Take notes on players. Don't check your email or watch tv while playing. Focus everything on your tables and you will play better.
