Starting live cash games!

Vanderwolfe

Vanderwolfe

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I am starting live cash games but I don’t know where to start ! Do I play 1/2 or 2/5 or 5/10 or do I go smaller than 1/2? I only know of one hard rock casino that does .50/1( let me know if you know of a casino that does macro stakes).
I am terrified of sitting at the tables again because the summer of when I was 20 I had $150 to play with and I did not know what table or stakes I was getting into and I just need to know how to start! I’ve played live cash before but it was my first time and I was terrified of playing so I made stupid moves(I know my fault) but I also sat at two high of stakes poker too because I ended up moving money from one account to the other because I did not have the 300 min to sit at the 2/5 table and the floor manager did say I could play smaller stakes but I was too scared to move tables that I just agreed to pay more to continue and it cost me a lot.
The moral of the story is how much do I start with and at what stakes it good? Do I start macro or do I start with 1/2 and if so how do I fight my anxiety at the cash tables?
 
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redmast

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If you are new to poker then you need to start playing at the tables of 0.01 / 0.02. And then gradually rise higher. I would do that.
 
guineasqueak

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Just play 1/2 or 1/3. They are similar but different.

My local 1/3 has max buy-in of $1000. That is the deep and crazy variety.
 
vitalicharniak

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Here you have a simple, but true idea about the everyday life of a professional poker player: being a poker player is a terrible job. Any successful poker player has a kind of passion and love for the game. If you suddenly find yourself in a long downswing, try not to let him break you.
 
Mortis

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Start at the bottom. I never knew there were 0.50/1 live games. I would start there or 1/2 games until you build a bankroll sufficient enough to move up in stakes.
redmast said:
If you are new to poker then you need to start playing at the tables of 0.01 / 0.02. And then gradually rise higher. I would do that.
Click to expand...
She's talking about live games, not online.
 
SPANKYSN

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If you have that much anxiety playing live poker, you can do a few things to alleviate or at least lessen your anxiety.
1) Play a small buy-in tournament (many casinos have from $40 to $80 buy-ins). The amount you spend is fixed.
2) If you wish to play cash tables, start at the lowest you can find...most casinos start at $1-2 ($1-3 in Las Vegas). Do not risk more money than you are comfortable losing, so set a predetermined limit.
3) If you suffer from anxiety only when playing live poker, think of what going to live theater costs for about 3 hours of entertainment ($100+ for decent seats at most venues like Broadway). Limit your poker to about the same amount. Poker should be fun, not anxiety producing.
If after trying one or more of these strategies, you are still scared every time you play live poker, either look for an alternative form of entertainment, or in the event this anxiety is extreme, see a counsellor...ask for help; no big deal, and if that's what you need to help you feel better playing live poker, that's perfectly OK. Nobody who matters to you will judge you...and any strangers who are judgmental, you don't need them anyway.
 
VisionNutz

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Hey Vanderwolfe,

Thank you for your honesty. Believe me that is the first step to conquering anxiety at the poker tables. This stems from fear of losing something. So already you now know to go with an amount that you don't mind losing and that you don't mind getting all in and doubling up when you're the favorite!! Step 1 complete!!

Step 2! My advice is to go with friends don't go alone and isolate yourself. Start with a friend or even a loved one (bf, hubby, fiance or date) and taking them with you like a Friday night out!!!

It has to be fun and social and spark up a conversation with someone at the table .. poker players are kindstep...Step 3 .. However when you are in the hand I want you to be fierce. Bring the fire and tenacity and win the hands you gotta win and don't get pushed around! Sometimes its okay to fold JJ or AK top pair when the betting indicates villain has a set or two pair.

And sometimes the nerves get me too so I like to bring some beer money to loosen up! If beer ain't your thing try a classy glass of wine or a smooth scotch!

Step 4 Do not go gentle into that good night lady. Rage against the night! :jd4: Play your image as Queen!

If you need additional coaching on nerves please shoot me a PM and I can share what works for me! Work on calming techniques like meditation before during after the game. Dress up nice and you feel good! After all we conduct business at the poker tables.

Final step... enjoy the cards and go in comfortable.
I hope this helps you conquer the cards go slay em girl!

-Imran:idea:
 
Vanderwolfe

Vanderwolfe

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VisionNutz said:
Hey Vanderwolfe,

Thank you for your honesty. Believe me that is the first step to conquering anxiety at the poker tables. This stems from fear of losing something. So already you now know to go with an amount that you don't mind losing and that you don't mind getting all in and doubling up when you're the favorite!! Step 1 complete!!

Step 2! My advice is to go with friends don't go alone and isolate yourself. Start with a friend or even a loved one (bf, hubby, fiance or date) and taking them with you like a Friday night out!!!

It has to be fun and social and spark up a conversation with someone at the table .. poker players are kindstep...Step 3 .. However when you are in the hand I want you to be fierce. Bring the fire and tenacity and win the hands you gotta win and don't get pushed around! Sometimes its okay to fold JJ or AK top pair when the betting indicates villain has a set or two pair.

And sometimes the nerves get me too so I like to bring some beer money to loosen up! If beer ain't your thing try a classy glass of wine or a smooth scotch!

Step 4 Do not go gentle into that good night lady. Rage against the night! :jd4: Play your image as Queen!

If you need additional coaching on nerves please shoot me a PM and I can share what works for me! Work on calming techniques like meditation before during after the game. Dress up nice and you feel good! After all we conduct business at the poker tables.

Final step... enjoy the cards and go in comfortable.
I hope this helps you conquer the cards go slay em girl!

-Imran:idea:
Click to expand...



Thanks for the advice I will be in touch with you
 
Sevendeuceoff72

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Def start at 1/2. You are gonna see some weird lines there that you may not see at 2/5. And people showing down impossible hands. It's also where you're going to get the lightest calls.
 
Sil3ntness

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If you are first starting live cash games. I would start at $1/2 for a while until you are comfortable in that environment. Jumping straight into higher stakes seems super risky.
 
Lugubrious

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Vanderwolfe said:
I am starting live cash games but I don’t know where to start ! Do I play 1/2 or 2/5 or 5/10 or do I go smaller than 1/2? I only know of one hard rock casino that does .50/1( let me know if you know of a casino that does macro stakes).
I am terrified of sitting at the tables again because the summer of when I was 20 I had $150 to play with and I did not know what table or stakes I was getting into and I just need to know how to start! I’ve played live cash before but it was my first time and I was terrified of playing so I made stupid moves(I know my fault) but I also sat at two high of stakes poker too because I ended up moving money from one account to the other because I did not have the 300 min to sit at the 2/5 table and the floor manager did say I could play smaller stakes but I was too scared to move tables that I just agreed to pay more to continue and it cost me a lot.
The moral of the story is how much do I start with and at what stakes it good? Do I start macro or do I start with 1/2 and if so how do I fight my anxiety at the cash tables?
Click to expand...
Try to see if you can get into some cheaper tourneys trust me you will find it more entertaining and if you can't try your hand at 1/2 you can also buy in for the min and play tight but i suggest buy in for the max. I wish you GL

Sent from my LM-X210(G) using CardsChat mobile app
 
Kirs10c

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Low Blinds

I have read and agree with the majority of the advice. The very first LIVE table i sat at was at Seminole Hard rock and I started with $30 buy in $1-2 blinds. I was very nervous, but I last about 1.5hours without stress. Didn't care if I lost the #30 - so moral of the story, start small. Good Luck and have fun! :D
 
Rahatis

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Just don't play with scare money and you will enjoy your time at the tables to the max.
 
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kristersb123

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Good luck to you at live poker, probably a lot better than online
 
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c0rnBr34d

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Good luck! You're welcome to PM me as well for pointers. If you feel comfortable playing with 150 or so at a time I definitely would recommend 1/2 or lower. I've never heard of a casino spreading a live .5/1 game but if you have access to that it would be a good place to start. The fastest way to learn in my opinion is not to try to act like you know everything ask the dealer for help when you don't understand something. I assume you play cash online. Some things I'd suggest / advise on. I'd recommend buying in for 80-100 big blinds until you feel comfortable buying in for more. Live games are loser in general as many players didn't drive all the way to the casino just to fold all night. If you're playing wider ranges make sure to try to be in position. Pay attention to who is doing what. Some players will be limping and calling every hand. Others will raise a lot. Others will fold all night (when these guys raise you can easily fold all but your top 5% hands).
 
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