Where to REALLY start learning?

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iammrfantasy

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Hey guys, here's the thing. I play on Stars and break even, usually. I understand all the rules, combinations etc. But how do I finally start winning consistently?

I put in a $20, it's now $22 two days later. Sad I know.

So what would be my list for things I should begin learning? And how long do you think it could take before most of my plays are profitable?

Thanks!
 
micromachine

micromachine

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Seriously, if you're breaking even you are doing well as most beginners lose at first.

Keep studying (there is a lot more to it than knowing the rules and combinations) and keep playing and you'll get there.

Good luck!
 
Blobweird123

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Hey guys, here's the thing. I play on Stars and break even, usually. I understand all the rules, combinations etc. But how do I finally start winning consistently?

I put in a $20, it's now $22 two days later. Sad I know.

So what would be my list for things I should begin learning? And how long do you think it could take before most of my plays are profitable?

Thanks!

Umm if you think about it you added 10% to your entire bankroll in 2 days. Not sad at all. If your roll was 10k then adding 2 dollars in 2 days is sad. But not for a $20 roll.
 
Tinie107

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You've done much better than i did when i first joined. The main way to learn is just to keep playing and as long as you don't pick up any bad habits you'll be fine.

Good luck!
 
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iammrfantasy

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Thanks!

I was interested in what resources will help me out.. Guess I will be starting with some books. And of course, snooping around the forums!
 
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Flsnookman

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I found that the online poker school at pokerstars was a great tool when 1st started playing. Lots of great players there, live training and videos and it's all free. This site also seems to have a lot of great players willing to help. Good luck.
 
Arjonius

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IMO the best way to start winning consistently at micro-stakes is to play solid ABC poker. At the lowest levels, the biggest source of profit is other people's poor plays. It's not about being brilliant and outplaying them. It's much more about giving back less than your opponents hand you.
 
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Flsnookman

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Danger this may happen to you lol
 
feffy

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as much as possible to play in tournaments freerolls, read books on poker, and articles on the Internet, when you become successful in free tournaments, go to the $
 
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iammrfantasy

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Just found the stars poker school.. Will for sure test it out! Looks pretty awesome.

Thanks, appreciate it.

I have read some books, and just things like implied odds and what it says in those books is a bit tough to grasp and apply. Anyone else had a tough time at first or was it all good from the get go?
 
dj11

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Just found the stars poker school.. Will for sure test it out! Looks pretty awesome.

Thanks, appreciate it.

I have read some books, and just things like implied odds and what it says in those books is a bit tough to grasp and apply. Anyone else had a tough time at first or was it all good from the get go?

No one gets it the first time.:eek:

I can guarantee this;

If you go back and read those books again, after 10,000 hands, you will find more stuff that you don't remember reading the first time, than stuff you will remember reading the first time.

I am on my 5th reading of HoH, and I swear I never read this shit before. The idea of reading anything is to relate it to real world experiences, so top of your list of learning has to be getting the hands in, just so you have something to hang that book knowledge on.
 
MediaBLITZ

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Just found the stars poker school.. Will for sure test it out! Looks pretty awesome.

Thanks, appreciate it.

I have read some books, and just things like implied odds and what it says in those books is a bit tough to grasp and apply. Anyone else had a tough time at first or was it all good from the get go?

yep, it's a little overwhelming at first - just stay at it.

The best suggestion I can give for where you are at is Phil Gordon's Green Book. He has a knack for explaining it extremely well to the lay person.

Follow him up with some Harrington.

This will give you a solid old school base to work out of.

HOWEVER - be aware that a lot of books are targeted to large field tournament play and you will need to adjust. So the first thing is to define what you are committed to playing -

Cash or Tourney?

Stakes?

Field size?

Structure?

If you can answer these questions we can give you a better defined prescription of what you might need. Right now we are just making educated guesses based on your post.

Good luck
 
jolubman

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There is no sure way to start winning as in one size fits all. Ways that should help are reading books, watch videos, playing, and following the hands which are reviewed in this forum.
 
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Novify

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Hi! I think your best teacher - this TIME! Only experience will give you all the advantages over the opponents are!
There is a lot of gnig, articles and videos, but it's all blah blah blah)))
Neither spesialist not teach you how to play and win, except YOU, have reached 5 - 10 years of experience in the game of poker! So that relax and be patient!
Good luck!
 
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dead homie

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freerolls are a good way to build bank but not to learn poker, everyone plays like a donk, i think 1 dollar game sng or 5 10 cent cash games would be best to learn and build bankroll

if winnig 2 dollars is sad, what is losing 2 dollars?
 
Shells

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I have been practicing poker for about 5 years now (something like that) I too, am a beginner and given everything that goes on, in and around my life, I find it difficult to truly focus with improving my game. Timing is critical for me. I have found when I happen to play with better players (by my definition) I will learn more and play better..with more confidence. Therefore, patience is a huge factor with increasing your bankroll...good things come to those who wait.

These are just a couple of my thoughts...

Good luck with your ventures and hope the learning curve broadens.
 
AugustWest

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Re-reading a book after you get some hands under your belt makes a huge difference! You see things you totally missed on the first read...
 
c9h13no3

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I put in a $20, it's now $22 two days later. Sad I know.
That's pretty good. Poker isn't a path to fast money. It's called "grinding" for a reason.

Btw, the best place to starting learning poker is here. Or more specifically, here.
 
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iammrfantasy

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Super helpful, thanks!

I will be sitting on that hand-review forum all weekend it looks like trying to figure it all out.

And also, I am doing not so much tourney play as I am just cash and zoom. Zoom is a bit more tough though.. Can't study opponents.

Either way, you guys rock. Now, back to studying.... o:)
 
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DonkeyFish

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Breaking even isn't bad but it's frustrating....You can try going to a lower or higher limit temporarily to see what the difference in play is. Sometimes it's actually easier to profit when you go up a stake than stay at your current stakes if there are weaker players around at the higher limit
 
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DunningKruger

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Talking poker with more experienced players helps a lot. Managing expectations is a good idea too. Anytime you've got more than you did two days ago, whether your roll is 10k or 20 bucks, you're fine. The big thing is just to play and gain experience, while constantly thinking about the decisions you're making and how to exploit your opponents as opposed to merely going through the motions.
 
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iammrfantasy

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Well.. I did it. I started a YouTube channel.

I decided that this would be a great way to connect with the community, share what I learn, possibly become a resource for others, and so on.

Let me know what you guys think.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2ktrc10Svlk
 
dudemanstan

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I would say congratulations your up 2 in 2 days, I would actually feel good about being up 2 in 2 days for me personally :)
 
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