Should beginners use play money to learn poker?

[Pokerpoet2]

Do you think that the ones who still learning how to play poker should avoid using their real money untill they feel safe?

Definitely! There is nothing wrong in practicing with Play Money, I started playing on a games site called Pogo! There you bought in with points and won points, there was no option to play for real money. Then I started playing freerolls on sites like Full Tilt, pokerstars, Betfred and many more, Before I ventured into Local Pub games, I can now feel comfortable playing in casinos, It was just a natural progression.
You need to understand that when you are playing for Fun Money, there are some players who really don't care if they win or lose and they do play a lot of all-in or fold games, but there are some that take the game seriously and play to win. but you get those players in freerolls and Micro Stake games as well.
During the first lockdown because of Covid, I found myself playing on Pogo! because I couldn't play a Live game and thought to myself "What on Earth are you doing wasting your Time on Play money" I already had a couple of real money accounts open with some sites and thought If I was as good a player as I believed I was there should be no problem doubling my Balance. So I challenged myself to that goal,
I had $200 balance with PokerStars, and tried to double it, after a couple of months I had actually Tripled it and now have over $600. But I quit because Money has never been my Driving force when it comes to Poker. I just want to enjoy the game and have some fun. I found I was driven to play every day and the fun just disappeared, It became a Job having to play for hours every day just to make a few Dollars, Money I didn't really need or cared for.

When the Fun Stops, STOP! (I did)

 

[jasioo]

You won't learn poker by playing play money, In poker you risk money to win money, and this means that you don't make stupid decisions (and if you make such decisions, you receive a penalty in the form of losing money), IF you play "play money", you basically don't care whether you win or lose, and then your game is a pure lottery and you start learning wrong moves, so I honestly don't recommend it.

Play freerolls for begining and micro-stakes

 

[yogo9]

I think that a beginner should first Learn the game with play money and make sure he know all of the hand rankings, Then start playing for real money at the very lowest stakes and micro buy-in tournaments.

 

[steve01991]

using play money is a different beast, players have no fear of going all in with nothing. having said that, that is how i started, you do learn how some players play, (keep notes) and you will recognize when you have a very strong hand and how to play it. good luck

 

[AndyFio]

I think they may well, game money is basically created for this, so that beginners can learn without risking anything.

 

[Roobz75]

Every day is a school day, as the saying goes and I think the best way to learn the ins and outs of Poker, is where there's no risk to you or your lack of play.
Play money is a great way to learn, especially if you're teaching yourself online or through an App.

 

[ObbleeXY]

Do you think that the ones who still learning how to play poker should avoid using their real money untill they feel safe?

I think there are pros and cons to this approach.
I think for early learning, absolutely, ye, play with play money.
Do this until you learn the rules and whilst you are working at learning good poker habits.
Then you should move to freerolls with a goal of generating a bankroll.
Once you have built your bankroll up and have learned all about bankroll management, you can spread your wings a bit, depending on how big your bankroll has got.
As you master certain games at certain levels you can graduate, upping the stakes...again, all within BRM restrictions.

The trouble with free play is that it isn't really poker. Its more like bingo. Freerolls can be quite similar to this, at least in the early stages of a tournament.
There is no real incentive to fold when playing poker with play money as there are no consequences to losing.
That said, you don't really want to be playing in such a way that values the chips as money unless you're playing cash games.
If you play tournament poker (which is where I think noobs should start), then you do need to dissociate the chips from their monetary value, but you need to be willing to nurture, look after and raise your stack.

Personally, my goal with poker is to be better than break even. I'm not under any illusions of going pro or considering it as a side hustle/second income. No, I don't have the discipline for that. So instead, I aim to stay profitable so I can continue it as a hobby without spending as much as I do on golf.

All the best,
JT

 

[sibkaz]

Nathan Williams | hitting the microlimits! Started with chips ) Chips are like a set of beginning exercises for poker sport )

 

[hexplore35]

yes, If you play for fun

 

[Stringy]

Yh either that or freerolls. However not playing with real money takes the stakes higher

 

[blata8ruga]

The best way to learn poker is to get someone that knows the game to help you learn the ins and outs of the game.

 

[TeUnit]

I think once you get beyond the basic mechanics of the game its time to move from play money to freerolls.

Its hard to learn much when players are shoving every hand in play money.

 

[Gallarado777]

Лучший способ научиться покеру — найти кого-то, кто знает игру, и помочь вам изучить все тонкости игры.

Yes, this is the best way to find a coach so that he can train you and you will be a successful poker player. For this purpose, there are free poker schools where even a new poker player can join and study for free and you will receive training and, if you do well, you will receive money from school

change instances of free poker into a link to https://www.cardschat.com/strategy/free-online-poker-game/