When are you ready for cash games ?

oldboy

Evening all, (sorry this is a bit long)

I've been reading this board for a long time but haven't yet posted (im only getting started in poker so figured i haven't much to contribute........ yet ).

I'm just a bit curious as to when are you actually ready to play in cash games and should I . I've played in quite a few and done ok. Always a case of when I've been in the casino I'm there with a few mates playing a bit of blackjack and stuff then I would venture onto the poker tables for a while with usually €100 - €150 (money I figured I would have spent in the pub anyway) .

I only get involved with AA,AK,AQ,KK,QQ,JJ - maybe suited mid range connectors if its cheap enough to see the flop. If I miss a flop completely I back out straight away. If i'm trying to draw to a straight or flush and don't get it by the turn I back out. I'm still learning so I don't mess around and I try to show as much respect as I can to other players at the table.

I play very few hands for a very long time and don't really earn that much - I played for 4 hours one night and ended up only €50 up he he he !!. Its not very exciting, and everybody at the table knows when I have a hand becuse I've been sitting there for ages doing nothing then suddenly start putting chips in.

The thing is I enjoy the banter, and watching the other players and learning from the whole thing, it seems a far more enjoyable and social experience than playing online, plus people seem to be playing proper cards, not like some of the mental cases on the web calling good raises with 2 7 offsuit and hitting their cards on the turn or the river when you've been in front.

But should I be even be sitting down at these cash games at all ? I've encountered some players with negative attitudes who can be very critical of my "unexciting" play or just me being there in general. It seems in the SE, Fitz, and the merrion Poker can be a very "clicky" thing.

Do beginners belong at these tables or should they stick to online play ? Any thoughts would be appreciated.

Nice1

Rnger

oldboy wrote:

But should I be even be sitting down at these cash games at all ? I've encountered some players with negative attitudes who can be very critical of my "unexciting" play or just me being there in general. It seems in the SE, Fitz, and the merrion Poker can be a very "clicky" thing.

I used to worry about this a bit aswel... but fcuk it! If you got the money to sit down, your just as entitled to be there as they are! Just ignore their comments is my advice to you

TrueDub

oldboy wrote:

The thing is I enjoy the banter, and watching the other players and learning from the whole thing, it seems a far more enjoyable and social experience than playing online, plus people seem to be playing proper cards, not like some of the mental cases on the web calling good raises with 2 7 offsuit and hitting their cards on the turn or the river when you've been in front.But should I be even be sitting down at these cash games at all ?

Are you enjoying yourself? If so, (and I hope so), sit down & play. Never let someone else's attitude dictate when, where or how you play.

The Fitz is a pleasant, friendly place to play. That doesn't mean the other players don't want to take your money - they do. You say that you learn by sitting down & playing - that's the ideal.

sunzz

To be honest you have built up a nice tight image for yourself, it really is your table now to take the money if you get nice and aggressive on a steal at the right time, people will respect you putting you on the cards you normally play.

Always play odd hands the odd time and try and steal it's no harm and with your table image I'd easily say you would get away with it.

Playing the odd "DAFT" hand has an advantage bluff it down a few times and show your cards, then people will think your taking them for a ride and when you do get your big hands you'll get paid easily enough.

To me you have done this perfectly, sitting down looking like the tight player for the first few nights and then I’d go down and get aggressive, mix it up.

I think dev put it lovely by saying "if im playing soccer im not going to move from this position if I get the ball ill score, but if the other players have the ball, they will just run rings around me. Poker is much the same.

With regards to the negativity, screw them; it’s probably mostly psychology any way trying to put you off and stuff.

DeVore

If I see someone having a go at a new guy, he'll get an earful from me. Can't stand that and anyway, I like a good row!

Most players in the Fitz (can't speak for the others) are friendly enough though nowdays hardly any of them know each other like 2 years ago when you could name 10 players and 6 would be on the table when you got there.

Play cash when you can afford to lose 200 and not feel like topping yourself. It should mean something but not that you don't eat that week. (says the guy who played for his rent once. Don't ever be that dumb.)

When I first sat down to play I lost 150 the first night. No, I didnt lose it, Ray Mick and a few others took it from me. Relieve me of the burden of its ownership.

The next night they did the same. The third night Ray (who's a decent skin) turned to me and said "you sure you want to do this son?" I honestly replied to him "its cheaper then going to Strahan".

The night after left with 450. There were mock complaints "ah yer not going are you? Yer great craic" (I had hardly opened my mouth, not that its been a problem since then) etc.

You have every right to be there. There are enough tables now to get up and move or go over to Luke and ask for a table change if you get grief. Fnck them, though I've rarely seen it except from weak players.

DeV.

Doc Farrell

DeVore wrote:

If I see someone having a go at a new guy, he'll get an earful from me. Can't stand that and anyway, I like a good row!

Most players in the Fitz (can't speak for the others) are friendly enough though nowdays hardly any of them know each other like 2 years ago when you could name 10 players and 6 would be on the table when you got there.

Play cash when you can afford to lose 200 and not feel like topping yourself. It should mean something but not that you don't eat that week. (says the guy who played for his rent once. Don't ever be that dumb.)

When I first sat down to play I lost 150 the first night. No, I didnt lose it, Ray Mick and a few others took it from me. Relieve me of the burden of its ownership.

The next night they did the same. The third night Ray (who's a decent skin) turned to me and said "you sure you want to do this son?" I honestly replied to him "its cheaper then going to Strahan".

The night after left with 450. There were mock complaints "ah yer not going are you? Yer great craic" (I had hardly opened my mouth, not that its been a problem since then) etc.

You have every right to be there. There are enough tables now to get up and move or go over to Luke and ask for a table change if you get grief. Fnck them, though I've rarely seen it except from weak players.

DeV.

great post, can't say more than this.

I must be one of the few, maybe like u Tom? who learned poker not from the internet but from losing in card rooms.

i wouldnt have fallen for the game without all the human interaction, as nasty as it can (albeit) rarely be.

oldboy

sunzz wrote:

it’s probably mostly psychology any way trying to put you off and stuff.

I get the feeling you're right. Maybe that's why everybody who sits near me written a "book" on poker ? I never knew there were that many authors in Dublin I've managed to encounter about 4 by now (unless they're legit:eek: gulp !)

Thanks for the comments folks, I like the idea of taking the "tight" image and using it to my advantage, and the confirmation that I have the right to be there if I want, it should be a good confidence booster when somebody starts giving me lip.

Keep an eye out for me, tall skinny baldy chap. I'm a bit shy so I tend to blush and go red when I get a decent hand, or when I bluff he he he;)

5starpool

There are a few players who play in the Fitz (esp on the holdem only games) who try and talk their way through every situation, and can be a bit off putting to the newbies, even come across as derisory at times.

The amount of arguments that occur on the holdem games are increasing all the time too with more people who don't have a grasp of any poker etiquette playing all the time. Can be very annoying.

Oldboy: No-one has a right to criticise your playing style. If you feel it is right to start tight in the games (probably good idea to see where you stand) then go right ahead. People would be happy enough to see you play if you were a complete donkey playing with muck, so see it as a positive.

Dev: If you played the Omaha/Round of Each games then it is pretty much still the same with the familiar players. On a given night I can probably name on average 6 out of 8 of my opponents. You should play more cash games. The Holdem is a different matter though.

DeVore

I just dont get the time these days 5star, also there are times when I am sick to death of poker (yes it can happen!) and the competition in the fitz is far far harder then in some other places. The 100 game is still the same game, at this stage it is practically a home game.

DeV.

OLP

I've only started playing poker for cash (if ya can call a fiver cash) in the last 2 weeks, playing with my brother and his mates and organizing a game with my mates. I have to say that I can't imagine learning poker in any other way than just sitting down and and having fun playing the game.

DeVore

Wait till you go to a casino for the first time, OLP.... Its the same game but a whole new experience. I'd played poker for years and years with my mates but I felt the same as when I'd done something crazy on a snowboard just making a bluff! Heart pounding, adrenaline pumping... highly addictive!

DeV.

sunzz

Yea dev what got me hooked was playing my first FO game for 100euro. And getting down to the final table short stacked, then getting AA in the bb on first hand and 2 all ins before me. Heart was pounding when I threw my chips in and waited till the river was turned. Eventually went on to win then after that I think I was hooked playing for the bigger stakes.

OLP

Ah it'll be a few years yet before I'm in a casino.

Rnger

OLP wrote:

Ah it'll be a few years yet before I'm in a casino.

Get a few friends together and hit the free rolls! almost risk free casino experience

OLP

Are there age limits in casinos?

sunzz

18+

5starpool

sunzz wrote:

18+

Or for the 5 card draw tournie in the Fitz it is 68+

OLP

sunzz wrote:

18+

Tought so, gimmie 4 years and I'll be there

shoutman

DeVore wrote:

I'd played poker for years and years with my mates but I felt the same as when I'd done something crazy on a snowboard just making a bluff! Heart pounding, adrenaline pumping... highly addictive!

DeV.

I'm with you there dev. And I'm talking about playing in a freerole

hotspur

I have a question that I'm almost embarrassed to ask but I will. Do card clubs in Dublin have any rules on players using obscenities? I ask because recently I made a very rare appearance in a tourny in a Dublin casino and there was a kid at my table about 18 who was incessently going "f****** b***** f*** etc", he wasn't being aggressive now, he was just talking that way to the people he knew, non-stop obscenities. Anyway I could think of more pleasant ways to spend my time than listening to some ignorent moron cursing non-stop so I just dumped my chips and left. Given the myriad of rules about relatively minor things relating to cards and chips, is there supposed to be any rule about keeping a civilized tongue in your head for at least 2 consecutive minutes?

gosplan

nothing do to with fitz or tables but I'd luck to start limping wiht more hands in late position and on button, if you can get in cheaply that is.

Someone far bettter then I will probably explain this in more detail or else just google "trash hands" + " late position"

5starpool

hotspur wrote:

I have a question that I'm almost embarrassed to ask but I will. Do card clubs in Dublin have any rules on players using obscenities? I ask because recently I made a very rare appearance in a tourny in a Dublin casino and there was a kid at my table about 18 who was incessently going "f****** b***** f*** etc", he wasn't being aggressive now, he was just talking that way to the people he knew, non-stop obscenities. Anyway I could think of more pleasant ways to spend my time than listening to some ignorent moron cursing non-stop so I just dumped my chips and left. Given the myriad of rules about relatively minor things relating to cards and chips, is there supposed to be any rule about keeping a civilized tongue in your head for at least 2 consecutive minutes?

Awkward one. Without actually asking for the language to be toned down, when the person is just in conversation using this type of language it is usually not even commented on.

If a person is using it aggressively towards a player then any dealer will ask them to tone down their language, and if this doesn't happen a person can be asked to leave (I have only seen this once personally though).

I think my general gist is that Irish people (for the most part), for better or worse, swear more than the average, and mean no offence by it when used in casual conversation. I know that describes me anyhow.

DeVore

Thats quite rare. I've heard many an expletitive when someone gets rivered or occasionally during a conversation but from my experience its generally quite unusual. I will certainly suggest to someone that they tone it down if its every hand but usually its not necessary. I've often heard people say "ladies present" if the language is rough and there are lady's playing, often its as much for everyone elses benefit too!

I went back to the cash games in the Fitz the last two nights and found that the whole texture of the tables has changed with a significant drop in skill, a corresponding increase in variance but a great deal more value as a result. Suffice to say my rent's paid for the next two months

Dev.

Ballyman

I'm not sure what he story in Ireland is with this but at Vegas you are asked to leave the table if you swear twice.
Or at least I was asked!!! Ah no, seriously though it is a rule that is strictly enforced in some of the casinos in vegas while others will just give you a warning.
I don't think this would work in Ireland, especially friday and saturday nights after the pubs close and all the drunks come in!