takinitSLEAZEE
Legend
Loyaler
Hey there. I've been playing for almost 40 yrs. I started playing w/friends, mostly 5-card draw and some stud games. After Rounders came out and Moneymaker won his W.S.O.P.M.E. bracelet the poker world changed, and I eventually changed w/it.
I live in Texas and since it's re-introduction as a business into the fabric of the state's popular culture, poker rooms are popping up all over the place here. Why is it "legal" here all of a sudden? It's due to a loophole that allows an establishment to operate as a private club as long as they do not acquire income from the games taking place, in other words no rake is taken by the house. Instead, a player pays an hourly rate/trny fee to sit and play at a table. Cool, eh? And, might I add, about time! 🥳🤣😃
I also think this is one of the best ways for a person to make money playing recreationally or as a full-time pro. All roads lead to time well spent, imo.
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limeokok
Rising Star
Bronze Level
Ha, interesting! I'd heard of some of the Texas card rooms, mostly from Brad Owen's vlog and such.
So how often do you play nowadays? and what hooked you to poker - why do you play the game?
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limeokok
Rising Star
Bronze Level
Up until the late 1990s my experience was basically playing with friends and family, and an occasional poker night for one charity or another. The games were always "dealer's choice", where the dealer could choose between five card draw and five or seven card stud. In games with co-workers some different variants were played that featured different wild cards, etc...
When I started playing in a casino seven card stud was still the dominant game. It wasn't until online poker showed up and for a few years before it was outlawed in the USA I learned to play hold 'em. That is when I purchased Sklansy's book from The Gambler's Bookstore (or something like that) online.
I still played seven card stud when in the casino until 2018 when I started playing poker tournaments, and those were hold 'em. About a month or so after I started I realized that I needed a little more knowledge about the tournament game, so I ordered a book written by one of the pro's. I don't remember who it was but it helped me learn how to bet in a more effective manner that was better suited to tournaments. For cash games I still prefer limit to no-limit, but in the smaller card rooms that isn't always available.
Was it mostly books that helped me with the tournaments? They played a part, but mostly it was playing tournaments every Sunday and practicing on Global Poker. The hardest thing for me to learn was how to compute the size of the pot. That required hands on practice and, like most things, it took some time. I tried a lot of different things but getting a close estimate of the pot is the best method for me.
Thank you for the thorough reply, I really enjoyed reading it. Do you play for the competition aspect then?
So you could say that you have learned the game by playing it. Did you ever purchase any of the video courses that are online?
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limeokok
Rising Star
Bronze Level
Thank you for the reply! How do you keep up with the game? Is it through playing or have you taken any learning resources, too?
belladonna05
belladonkin'
Loyaler
Playing and watching live cash games, I've read a few books, a lot of what's in them doesn't stick, the parts that do are very helpful. I've found if I take the parts that help my game and not try to emulate someone else's style of play usually works to keep me in the black, until I hit Vegas and spend it all on tournaments I don't cash in, rinse and repeat the following year.
Poker Orifice
FoolsTilt
Platinum Level
Oil of Olay?
choprav
Rock Star
Platinum Level
Aww I'm 39 too young ahahah
Pokerpoet2
Legend
Loyaler
I didn't find Texas Hold-em until I was in my Forties, Being a self employed Taxi Driver, I worked late into the early Mornings and by chance came across "Late Night Poker" on TV. One night. Being an Avid card player it Interested me but I thought I would never be able to play myself as I worked most nights while others were playing Card games in Pubs etc.
When I saw an advert during the show, saying I could play on-line 24/7 on pokerstars, and play for Free! I of course thought there has to be a catch, I believed no one would give away Free Money, But of course they did and the rest is now History. I still play, and as far as I am concerned I am still playing for free, because I use the Money I won in freerolls to buy-into games, I never have made a deposit, and because they do not have any records of my Bank details I cannot withdraw any winnings from them.
I really do not need the Money, I have plenty of my own, but what has happened is playing on-line gave me an urge to play Live games in Pubs and casinos and it also gave me an edge over other players, because of the practice, playing on-line, I don't pretend to be a great player, but better than average and can do well in most games I choose to play Live.
The most important thing is to stick to a Good bankroll Strategy, Play when you are comfortable losing the Buy-in, and play for Fun. There is no Fun in losing Money! But playing with money you can afford to lose is not that bad and as long as you can control that, it becomes more fun just being part of this wonderful game.
I am now 68, I still play occasionally, and still have Fun doing it! It keeps the old Grey matter working and if Like Doyle Brunson, who played right up to the Day he died, I will die a happy man.
Emily Trott
Legend
Loyaler
You're very welcome.
I definitely started playing tournaments for the competitive aspect. During my lifetime I've competed on teams in small bore rifle (.22s), and as an individual at sporting clays tournaments. In the winter of 1969 I earned a varsity letter on my school's rifle team, and that was my one excursion into school sports. In early autumn of 2018 I decided that I'd like to do something competitive again.My work schedule wouldn't allow the two evenings required for the rifles, and pretty soon it was going to be too cold for me to be out shooting clays.
I'd always wanted to try poker tournaments so on October 8 I got in my car and headed south for Foxwoods and my first tourney which was a bounty one. I've had a glorious time meeting a lot of nice people and winning a few here and there. That is pretty much how I learned. Aided by a little bit of reading about bet sizing and the odds of hands I played the game and learned more along the way.
I tried some free drill site online for awhile but I really didn't like that too much. A big help for me however is something I learned while counting cards at blackjack. I made a set of flash cards to drill myself on whether to bet, fold, call, raise, etc... based upon my position and hand (also the composition of the board). I still have them in my purse and review them periodically.
SL-247
Visionary
Platinum Level
Poker isn't boxing. This card game can be learned at any age throughout life.
0546474
Legend
Loyaler
I'm 46 years old and have been playing poker for money since 2015. I think it's never too late to start learning to play poker!!! There are many successful players who started playing poker after retirement!!! To get started, follow a few successful players who stream on Twitch or YouTube!!!
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limeokok
Rising Star
Bronze Level
Very interesting! I love the idea of drill cards - might have to do something similar. Although it seems that you can now use tools for this - I've seen a few that offer the training option.You're very welcome.
My work schedule wouldn't allow the two evenings required for the rifles, and pretty soon it was going to be too cold for me to be out shooting clays.
That is pretty much how I learned. Aided by a little bit of reading about bet sizing and the odds of hands I played the game and learned more along the way.
Do you watch any poker content nowadays? Anything you'd recommend?
istbno
Rock Star
Platinum Level
Starting online poker at the age of 40-60 is a viable and enriching endeavor. Poker rewards strategic thinking, patience, and experience—qualities often enhanced with age. It offers intellectual stimulation, social interaction in online communities, and potential supplemental income. With dedication to learning and adapting to the online landscape, one can find fulfillment and challenge in poker. The key is to approach it as a skill to be cultivated, blending the wisdom of age with the dynamic nature of the game.
riff_raff312
Legend
Loyaler
Well i a little older and started playing in my 20's so the best thing you can do in my opinion would be to play a lot play different games,different table size, read some books and take the 30 day poker course here for free it's a very good one oh by the way don't play for real money till you get the hang of it play for play chips to start. Good luck with your journey it is a long one!
Michael: age 65 years young
Michael: age 65 years young
M
mclay
Visionary
Platinum Level
My respect and good luck to you in online poker. This is the first time I meet a person who has been playing poker for 59 years.That would be an excellent age to begin a new pastime. I'm older than that age group and have played poker for around 59 years, but five years ago at sixty five years old I began playing poker tournaments and love it. If you are interested in taking up poker I'd suggest starting off with a basic book about playing Texas Hold 'em since it is the most popular of the games nowadays. Sklansky's book is a good one for beginners.
Once you've got a general idea of the game I'd suggest using one of the free poker sites to practice some before playing for money. Global Poker and Replay Poker are good ones that I have used. There is also Cards Chat's thirty day course which is spoken very highly of around here.
And, most importantly, have fun!
dreamer13
Legend
Platinum Level
Emily Trott
Legend
Loyaler
I'm apologize for the delay in responding, and really should set the notifications for when someone replies to me.
I think that you will benefit from drills, and I have done some a few years back which were online and they were definitely useful. It may be because of my age that I am more comfortable with the physical cards, or maybe that I just like the feeling of them in my hands just like I enjoy feeling the cards when playing live tournaments or cash games.
No matter what I believe you will benefit from it because you very seldom see some hands when playing so it is really hard to imprint them in your brain without practicing away from the game. I set the cards up with a certain hand on one side of the card, say A9 suited. Then on the other side I put how to play them in late, middle, or early position.
If they are are always played I'll just write "All" on the back of the card. Other combinations will say to raise, call, or fold depending upon my position. As I played more I began deviating in some situations, but generally I stick with the drill.
2
2Deep
Enthusiast
Silver Level
Hi,
I am in my 40s and just starting to play poker as well. I need to keep my mind active and find poker is a great way of doing so. I was given a link today from a member of this chat group.