I play with dummy money.

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Naruba

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If I play in fictitious money tournaments, can I really improve my game or can it be a waste of time?
 
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Fatman0912

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If you are a beginner, it is perfect to start there. I also did that and I don't think it was a waste of time. It is just fun to play poker and like this you do not have to be concerned of losing money.
 
nuttea

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I would advise you not to do this. when you learn a little and move on to playing real ones, you will immediately realize that the game is completely different. this is only useful for mastering combinations and rules of the game. for serious poker basics, it can only hurt you
 
Olinosterfant

Olinosterfant

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If I play in fictitious money tournaments, can I really improve my game or can it be a waste of time?
This is a tricky one... I think people are there mainly to f around.
Try playing freerolls or freebuys where you can win actual money and not pay a buy-in fee.
 
diego farfan

diego farfan

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To start without risking a lot, it is perfect because there are good players because, because of country restrictions, they play in fictitious money but I recommend that you keep in mind that once you go to the real money game do not trust yourself and play with the fictitious money mentality since when playing for real money things change and you need more concentration since a loss is more painful than with fictitious money
 
pentazepam

pentazepam

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I'm usually against it since you can pick up bad habits.

But if you are totally new to a game you can play them for a very SHORT time just to get used to the rules and poker client.

But if you have access to freerolls or can play the lowest levels of cash it is better to start there unless you just play poker for fun or kill time.

On pokerstars I have seen some Play Money tables with mostly Americans (USA players can't play for real money) there they play pretty normal (mostly in mixed games). But in general the play money players are just terrible or are having fun so you don't learn much poker.
 
DTMath

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It is a good way to start. The difference you will find is a lot less people will bet on hands that you would not bet on if it was for real money. Low Re-buy games can also be a pain. In the end have fun playing the game.
 
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TpaEnforcement

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I never did that when i was learning poker. I would say to play on sites with freerolls or free buys to win real money. You sure will learn how to play and try to build a bankroll for yourself. It also is fun when you win money from nothing.
 
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maxi_j

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If you know the rules then its waste of time.
 
thetick33

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is ok id do pokerstars free cash though and play large stakes where is not all ins all the time find tables that actually play so you can concentrate and learn.... freerolls are better time spent though
 
TheDude6622

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If you're trying to build strategies and try new things, it is not the best way. If you're just trying to understand the game, then yes. There is no harm playing freerolls. If you're looking to build skill, try playing microstakes online or very small buy-in tournaments in a live setting.
 
ACESOVEREZZZ

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Playing with play $

As a beginner good way to learn and costs nothing. However know that in play $ games and freerolls there are a lot of "bingo players '' which makes things way different when playing with real $

I would spend more time reading up on poker strategies and other posts on this site to learn more on playing with real $

Good luck at the tables !
 
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UncleConRon

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My opinion

Play money helps you calculate the probabilities of hitting cards. You just pay attention to your cards. What others do with play money is irrelevant. They only let you think they do that when in reality they don't do that in that situation.
 
PatriceM915

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Good evening. Not a waste of time no, I have come to understand and develop poker table action techniques playing with play money, once you realize that you have poker skills already play in real tournaments but uncontrollably play with awareness and don't abuse:)
 
Norman Vasquez

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If I play in fictitious money tournaments, can I really improve my game or can it be a waste of time?



My opinion is that you are wasting it, deposit a small amount, enough to play in the micro stakes, focus only in one format (example sit and go, or cash games), it will be easier to measure your performance. Make sure to have the recommended bankroll so you don’t have to deposit again. Study a lot.
 
Syltan

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I'm afraid that for the most part this is a waste of time, although maybe I'm wrong. Any practice in poker is good.
 
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DS3

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I had never played a single hand of poker until I started on-line with play money.

Many undervalue what you can learn. At lower levels it is reckless, wild play for sure- a baptism of fire. However, learning to cut a path through all the nonsense to build a serious play chip bankroll takes dedication and thousands have done this and pride themselves on their play. Even Terrance Chan (DAT Poker) noted the other day that players who have built play chip bankrolls into the tens of millions are serious players.

In short, you need to select what to play. Playing low tier NLHE cash games is a farce, as is lowest level PLO (just an excuse to spew and gamble wildly without any concern of hand strength). However, as soon as you switch to MTT's with a min buy in of 10k, where time and patience are needed to cash and run deep it's an entirely different ball game.

Just like freerolls it depends how much of yourself you invest.

As a novice (with nothing more than a growing interest/appreciation of poker) I immediately set out a spread sheet to chart the MTT's I played, cashed in and naturally how my bankroll was growing. In short, I took it seriously as if I was playing cash.

All that I learnt/extracted (literally starting from scratch) has stood in me good stead for a phase two of my nascent poker experience where I have now just started concentrating all but exclusively on freerolls.

I have been around the block and then some with those who say that poker without money on the line is not to be taken seriously. That is simply their view and too much a generalization. Millions around the world battle with play chips every day and take themselves and the game very seriously.

If you put a lot into it, you will take a lot out of it. It will set you up for forays into freerolls and micros but these forays will be ones which you handle with greater experience and confidence.
 
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redmast

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All newcomers and I, too, started with playing on virtual chips. This makes it possible to memorize poker combinations and test your skills in the game without losing money.
 
vnnby

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If poker for fun, why not. A lot of practice will never be superfluous. If poker is for something more, then you need to make an effort and get more information.
 
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