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Tomhgriff1

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Hi,
I really need some help in terms of articles and or videos you feel everyone should start with to build up their knowledge.

There is so much information out there i have no idea where to start and finding it so confusing knowing what strategies to focus on. SO i was hoping you could point me in the direction of some articles/videos that wil get me to a level i feel comfortable playing.
Basically, i have knowledge of the rules, what hand beats what and the basics of making sure you only play the high value pocket cards after that im pretty much lost.
I know about the concept of pot odds, but it looks really complicated working it out.
Also, if everyone has poker odds calculators and HUD etc these days, i assume the majority of online players are playing so efficiently and only the highest probability scenarios how is there any room to win over the long run? Assuming everyone plays well statistically what seperates the good from the bad?

Really appreciate any help
 
Arjonius

Arjonius

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My advice to beginners is to start by learning how to play a straightforward TAG style. IMO, it's the poker equivalent of laying a solid foundation before you put a house on it. It's not uncommon for beginner-level players to get fancy play syndrome. I did. The problem is they end up trying to use plays in inappropriate situations, which is counter-productive.

At the micros, plenty of players don't have HUDs. And even if they do, it doesn't mean they use them well.
 
L

luckyhearts

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Watch wsop on tv....then DON'T DO THAT CRAP!
seriously, its a good place to learn basics.
 
Emrald Onyxx

Emrald Onyxx

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Hi,
Also, if everyone has poker odds calculators and HUD etc these days, i assume the majority of online players are playing so efficiently and only the highest probability scenarios how is there any room to win over the long run? Assuming everyone plays well statistically what seperates the good from the bad?

Think of it like NASCAR. Everyone has access to the same tools to make thier stock car run. But it's the driver's experience, and knowledge, and a good team making better decisions than the others that make the difference in who wins. That doesn't mean he wont get pushed into the wall a time or two and lose the race altogether. But he knows if he runs a solid crew, takes the right lanes, and manages his pit stops better, he will win more races than the rest and can come out as the winner of the season because of it.

Just as a NASCAR driver can say there's a ton of variables that give him the win; poker players can say the same for the game.


Also... Where to start? Besides CC, try anything from 2+2=4 publications.
 
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Poker Orifice

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I'd say you're best off reading the book:
Phil Gordon's 'Little Green Book'

It'll help to give you a decent foundation
 
G

gatewatcher

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I'd say you're best off reading the book:
Phil Gordon's 'Little Green Book'

It'll help to give you a decent foundation
Thsanks , i'll try to pick up a copy from Amazon.com , read up on it
gate :) :)
 
Poker Orifice

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Probably your best bet is to just get it from local library & if they don't have it on the shelf, ask the librarian to order it up as an inter-library book loan.
 
katsdragon

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When you figure it out, please let me know. Trying to do a first post and still can't figure it out!

By George, maybe I have it figured out after all???
 
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peedee91

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Harrington on Hold em part 1
there are three parts to the series ive read one and two
 
Poker Orifice

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Harrington on Hold em part 1
there are three parts to the series ive read one and two
#3 is not worth reading/bothering with (imo).
Also, pretty sure you're referring to HOH tournament series (there's also cash games). HOH would be a good read too... but read Little Green Book first (& don't purchase the HOH books, way better to just get them from the library. Info. is good to help build a foundation from but the books are fairly outdated for today's tournament game... but still well worth reading (just wouldn't recommend purchasing them) ).
 
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baudib1

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Fold a lot and pay attention when you're not in the hand.
 
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Big_Rudy

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Also, if everyone has poker odds calculators and HUD etc these days, i assume the majority of online players are playing so efficiently and only the highest probability scenarios how is there any room to win over the long run? Assuming everyone plays well statistically what seperates the good from the bad?

I think it's probably a safe bet that the majority of even semi-serious players have/use a tracker/HUD. The key being "semi-serious". At the lowest levels, which is where you should be starting, who really knows. Probably a fair amount of players still use them, but it doesn't mean they use them well.

Anyone can get a free trial of the two major trackers, but it doesn't mean they'll put much/any effort into using it properly or getting as much value from it as they should.

If you assume the majority of online players are playing efficiently (with or without a HUD), you'd be wrong. Especially at low-stakes games.

Finally, as far as what separates two statistically "good" players? Well, that's a really general question and will be hard to answer definitively. For a start, I'd say the better of the two puts himself in better situations more often, extracts the most value from his hands when he's ahead, and loses the least value with his second-best hands.
 
MediaBLITZ

MediaBLITZ

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If I had it to do all over again - I would NOT jump all over place getting info from here and there and trying to sort it out. Here's why...

#1 - There are several different styles and approaches and you don't know enough to tell the difference.

#2 - These different styles and approaches are all exteremely valid as they are directed to different phases or positions of the game and you don't know enough to tell the difference. A couple very common misconceptions are how and when to play suited connectors and how and when to limp (it not totally forbidden).

#3 - What you are reading or looking at is usually tournament or cash specific. Are you far enough along to keep track of which is which? Nothing a cash player loves much better than sitting down in a ring game with tournament player and visa versa. Can you distinguish the difference?

I am still finding out from stuff I learned the first year - "Oh that just applies to limit games..." "So that's a tournament strategy?" "Oh that's for short-handed ring games!"

So first thing is determine if you are going to focus on tournament or cash. Most newbies gravitate to tourney and it probably is more fun to start. Second commit to a "teacher". In other words - get some continuity by learning from one source. I would recommend (and many others in here would too) getting the Phil Gordon books and go through those first. They are available in sets and as already was mentioned - the Green book is the core of his teaching. Now Gordon does not get super specific so once you have his concepts down move on to some more detail with something like the Harrington on Hold'em trio of books.
These will give you a super solid foundation to exapnd from - and don't kid yourself - you will need to expand. You will want to learn how to effectively play short handed, heads up, pot control, etc. There are lots of new materials that have come out and will be many more by the time you are ready.

And if you are playing online you are at a severe disadvantage if you are not using PT3 or HEM.
"i assume the majority of online players are playing so efficiently and only the highest probability scenarios how is there any room to win over the long run?"
Because your assumption is not entirely correct. I mean you would think so but when it comes down to it it is still a guessing game with incomplete information. Keep your eyes open and you will see players making bad decisions and you will know this is a guy you can probably exploit. Great thing about this game is the control you have in deciding who you want to play against/get in a hand with. And there will be those times you don't find that guy at your table - that's when you pack up and find another place to play.
Good luck!
 
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zourkas

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i suggest you to read some basically books about books initially. Then you have to surf in the internet to find some useful advices from better poker players and finally you can gain experience playing poker online
 
H

Humps

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I'd say you're best off reading the book:
Phil Gordon's 'Little Green Book'

It'll help to give you a decent foundation

I second this advice but some parts I find need adapting for lower stakes. Mainly when he is talking about betting 1/2 or 2/3s of the pot you can generally get away with 3/4 or whole pot betting.
 
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peedee91

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also on youtube search for blockhead poker
 
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