Play money or low stakes

[cese1962]

A big myth that we see many give beginners guidance on the first steps of online poker to play real money is that you need to be playing for long periods with play money and then playing $ 0.01 / $ 0.02 stakes gradually increasing. Others are the extreme and say that you have to risk a lot of money early to earn substantial rewards and get excited about the game.
In my view, this is totally unreal. Why waste time playing poker for free or at super low stakes when you can just deposit $ 30 into one of the real money online poker games / best real money poker sites and play $ 1.00 stakes?
Playing tournaments with super low stakes does not have much seriousness and commitment from the players.
You don't learn anything. When you lose you find that your opponent deceived you and you end up learning nothing from the defeat, in fact you feel bad.
Tournaments with higher stakes, there is even a blef, more players already respect each other and play within more logic.

 

[kley126]

I agree with your opinion in my case I prefer to play tournaments with entries a little higher than micro since I will get better players and I can learn much more about poker than playing tournaments where bad players abound and who play with any cards

 

[mariale_1990]

I have read in some poker sites and I have not seen that they recommend that they play play money or that they enter and take a risk with a lot of money (I think this is more personal opinion of some players who suddenly do not read or have not studied about it poker), but if I think that for some people who are just starting out and know absolutely nothing, it is good for them to learn the plays well, and the little I know is not only about playing $ 0.01 / 0.02, it must be true bank to be able to play at certain blind levels, I respect your opinion but I do not share it, I think you cannot say from the defeat you do not learn anything, you always learn something, be it from a freeroll or from a tournament where you have to pay the entrance, the The fact that you play a more expensive tournament does not mean that a player will not cheat on you or that there is 100% seriousness, that is a lie, I have played expensive tournaments and I have gotten myself with players who bet everything with any card, lose and buy back one and again

 

[Collin Moshman]

Playing tournaments with super low stakes does not have much seriousness and commitment from the players.
You don't learn anything. When you lose you find that your opponent deceived you and you end up learning nothing from the defeat, in fact you feel bad.
Tournaments with higher stakes, there is even a blef, more players already respect each other and play within more logic.

I agree that you will gain a lot from playing at least some real money games if you can afford to, but it's not correct that you won't learn anything from freerolls.

Poker is a game of adjustment. If your opponents are never folding, constantly moving all-in, etc -- then you need to understand what they're doing and how to correctly adjust. In this case, some of these adjustments will be to play tighter, value bet aggressively, and stack off wider.

The key is not to judge your opponents. Just observe what they're doing and figure out the optimal adjustments. That process will absolutely benefit your poker abilities.

 

[jordanbillie]

A big myth that we see many give beginners guidance on the first steps of online poker to play real money is that you need to be playing for long periods with play money and then playing $ 0.01 / $ 0.02 stakes gradually increasing. Others are the extreme and say that you have to risk a lot of money early to earn substantial rewards and get excited about the game.
In my view, this is totally unreal. Why waste time playing poker for free or at super low stakes when you can just deposit $ 30 into one of the real money online poker games / best real money poker sites and play $ 1.00 stakes?
Playing tournaments with super low stakes does not have much seriousness and commitment from the players.
You don't learn anything. When you lose you find that your opponent deceived you and you end up learning nothing from the defeat, in fact you feel bad.
Tournaments with higher stakes, there is even a blef, more players already respect each other and play within more logic.

The best test is to deposit $50 or win a few freerolls to get close to $50. Then see if you can slowly/consistently add $ to your BR from playing. That's it. It's up to you to figure out how to accumulate money.

 

[Poma Lekain]

For some, 10 cents is a trifle, but for someone 10 dollars is a trifle, so inadequate play can occur at all limits.

 

[Mahdi]

The first 30$ deposited will be lost in a sec, if you start playing at 1$
Better to learn from the bottom

 

[Brentsn]

For some, 10 cents is a trifle, but for someone 10 dollars is a trifle, so inadequate play can occur at all limits.

I agree totally every one at the table will look at the money they bring to it differently. I can do it myself just changing stakes changes my play. If I go from a $10-$20 tournament to a 10c-50c one I know I might just be gambling and not really playing poker until I have a good stack or we get near the end. I think the people that say they can’t learn anything at a micro level should be crushing it there for a time before they move on. If that’s you great but I think taking a slow walk up the ranks is the way to go. If you win maybe allow a % of that to take a shot at whatever type of game you play at a higher stake(degenerate shot taking)to see how you handle the pressure of bigger ladder jumps in tournaments or bigger pots in cash games. The idea that higher stakes means there are no bad players is silly, there may be less but they are still there. I know of many rich people who are bad gamblers, they don’t play for pennies they know they’re bad but can afford it and they don’t mind losing.

 

[donpiatnik]

I agree. I think play money poker is worth nothing unfortunately. I would definitely recommend freerolls. Mainly say cc freerolls here. I understand if someone isn’t a complete beginner to pay because it’s not even worth it to them. especially not for ps. you have to practice in freerolls, learn by reading, watching videos, streams. Then you feel when you can move on.

 

[albosaltenio]

I do not agree at all with what you say.
Of course, if it is necessary to play with play money to learn not only to play but to understand the game, In this game you should not only know the hand classification and the way to bet.
When you start to learn this game, you realize that it is much more complex than you think.
study, learn, understand and apply even if it does not always give you results, a good game is always the way

 

[Shooter74]

i prefer low stakes and freerolls....

 

[63burner]

start anywhere but free chips..

Playing with "free" chips, who cares if you lose or win; essentially worthless. since you want to play, and care about the outcome, start with free-rolls, build up to low-entry tournaments,
As you gain experience, maybe you are a better cash player than the endurance needed to succeed at MTT.
Main thing is it takes baby steps; be patient, put in your time and learning at lower stakes. As your game evolves, add variety; hold 'em isn't the only poker game; you might be better at omaha or omaha hi/lo.
Good Luck at the tables.