Online rooms for newbies

blaugranabhoy

Hi there,

I'm new to the poker forum and to poker in general for that matter. I've been intrigued by what I've read on this forum and I'd just like to give online hold'em a try. I was wondering what's the best poker room to start with?

I'd be looking for the smallest stakes possible given that I expect to drop my initial investment pretty quickly. I might as well maximise my playing time while minimising the extent of my losses.

The ease of lodgement of funds would also be a consideration, withdrawal less so as I expect there to be a marked flow of funds in rather than out initially given my playing time to date. I'm accepting that I'll lose initially, defeatist or realistic, I don't know. I'll find out pretty quickly I'd imagine.

Any suggestions greatly appreciated. You wouldn't just ignore a forum first timer, would you?

Imposter

Play on the play money tables until you understand what's going on. All the sites have these and they are free (you don't need to deposit first).

Then I'd suggest playing single table tournaments. Most sites start at 5$ a game for these but some (Pokerstars (i think), PaddyPowerPoker, VC) have lower value games. Play the highest you can afford allowing a bankroll of maybe 20 games at that level (assuming you'll lose a few).

Reading up on the game is important at this stage too. Try reading a book or two to get some idea of basic strategy. I'd suggest Winning Low-Limit Holdem by Lee Jones and The Theory of Poker by Sklansky. Then practice and try and improve and move up the limits.

Einstein

hi de ho

Imposter was dead on. Sit at the play money tables first, but be warned, it's very hard to learn proper strategy as people will go all in just for the sake of it. After a while, when your used to online play, goto the lowest limit games. You can play for like 10c at some tables!
Enjoy!

blaugranabhoy

Thanks for the suggestions guys. I was thinking about the play money tables but as you've pointed out, one of the fundamentals of gambling is the prospect of loss. I didn't think it'd be a good place to learn.

However, I take your point about learning how the game works, ie. the rules, mechanics etc. I'll try paddypower.ie as I already have an online sports betting account with that firm. I'm looking forward to playing now!

I'll keep you posted on my progress if you like. When I strike it big I'll make sure you guys get some of the credit!!

califano

blaugranabhoy wrote:

I'll try paddypower.ie as I already have an online sports betting account with that firm. I'm looking forward to playing now!

If you open an account with paddypowerpoker whatever money is in your sportsbook will be automatically available to play poker with in $. Once you start playing youre sports betting will drop by 80% guarenteed. So even if you lose at poker youre saving overall

blaugranabhoy

Interesting slant rounders,

I love my sports betting so I'm not sure that this theory will be applicable in my case. However, the whole 'saving while I'm spending' aspect does sound very attractive!!

PS. You're right about sports betting being a money drainer.

Culchie

I guarantee Rounders will be proven correct.

I used to bet a fair bit on Sport betting, especially golf, and had a good 2004 actually, however it requires alot of form studying.

Plus then you watch the golf in the evenings to follow your selections ...

All gone by the wayside now

PPP-Pit Boss

blaugranabhoy wrote:

Hi there,

I'm new to the poker forum and to poker in general for that matter. I've been intrigued by what I've read on this forum and I'd just like to give online hold'em a try. I was wondering what's the best poker room to start with?

I'd be looking for the smallest stakes possible given that I expect to drop my initial investment pretty quickly. I might as well maximise my playing time while minimising the extent of my losses.

The ease of lodgement of funds would also be a consideration, withdrawal less so as I expect there to be a marked flow of funds in rather than out initially given my playing time to date. I'm accepting that I'll lose initially, defeatist or realistic, I don't know. I'll find out pretty quickly I'd imagine.

Any suggestions greatly appreciated. You wouldn't just ignore a forum first timer, would you?

Hi there! Well the guys have just about said my bit for me! I still would advise starting on play money games regardless. You may not learn the betting ropes but it will help you get your head around the rules. Also echoing what the guys have said. Read everything you can get your hands on. Even though I do say so.... check out the Poker Academy section on the PPP website there are some handy hints and tips here. 20 Times the Big Blind is a good guideline for cash playing. But remember to set your self a floor and ceiling limit if playing particularly in cash games. IE I will only lose x today and then stop or indeed if I win x I will hang up my hat for the day. Dont win and then lose it all again! This is too depressin' ! You may also want to start off at LIMIT tables rather than No Limit tables so you dont get carried away!
Best of Luck !

Dub13

Nikki,

I new you were the right woman to help out a Poker Virgin

blaugranabhoy

The next couple of days should put paid to the aforementioned virginity. I'll be able to post next monday as a new man, without that horrible, nagging, "what's it really like?" feeling. Here's to a weekend of poker debauchery!

Imposter

PPP-Pit Boss wrote:

20 Times the Big Blind is a good guideline for cash playing.

I hope you mean buy-ins!

Although for a beginner at low stakes it should be possibly to get away with less as replenishing the BR isn't difficult. maybe work off 10 buy-ins for cash games. Up to a level that you cannot afford to lodge another 10 buy-ins. Then switch to 15-20.

Also for limit a proper bankroll is 300 Big Binds or maybe up to 500 if you play shorthanded. Similarly though you can play with less if you can afford to lodge again if you lose it.

Dub13

blaugranabhoy,
They say you allways remember your first time....

califano

Playing poker and being beaten on the river is a pleasure compared to sportsbook beats like having to listen to trainers say about their beaten 4/9f $750,000 horse in a €5000 maiden "Ah he will come on for the run, im very pleased with that run Tracey".
I feel like saying "The horse came 2nd ya bastad. Im not pleased with the run and i could care less if he comes on for the run or not.

example2

Golf 2-ball handicap matchplay and you have Monty -1.5shots and hes 1up playing the 18th and his opponent is in the bramble off the tee then off the green(monty on the green in regulation) and monty decides to stride over to shake hands for the half to win 1up.

example3

Rugby and you have Munster -7pts with Munster leading by 6pts deep into added time and Munster get a penalty in front of the posts to put you over the handicap mark but O'Gara is told to put it into touch instead of taking the points.

PPP-Pit Boss

Dub13 wrote:

Nikki,

I new you were the right woman to help out a Poker Virgin

I am always more than willing to teach an eager virgin the ropes I am after all a "hands on" type of woman!

califano

PPP-Pit Boss wrote:

I am always more than willing to teach an eager virgin the ropes I am after all a "hands on" type of woman!

Scott Gray can vouch for that. Oh i read the magazine

PPP-Pit Boss

rounders123 wrote:

Scott Gray can vouch for that. Oh i read the magazine

I knew it would come back to haunt me.....

blaugranabhoy

My sympathies rounders,

That is one horrible selection of bad beats. Incidentally, who do you fancy at St. Andrews. I'm fed up backing Harrington in the majors, so maybe this is his time.

I see Paddy's are giving 1/4 places to 5th and 6th. I like the Goose at 20's. Cabrera at 50's is another possibility. He hits it a mile, perfect for the Old Course.

Dub13

i still do a fair bit of betting on football....

Culchie

blaugranabhoy wrote:

My sympathies rounders,

That is one horrible selection of bad beats. Incidentally, who do you fancy at St. Andrews. I'm fed up backing Harrington in the majors, so maybe this is his time.

I see Paddy's are giving 1/4 places to 5th and 6th. I like the Goose at 20's. Cabrera at 50's is another possibility. He hits it a mile, perfect for the Old Course.

I've backed Monty for every major will stick with him...he has to do it some day.

I'm gonna go for Justin Leonard, Monty and Clarke.

blaugranabhoy

Hope you backed Liverpool at half-time in the CL final Dub13, I think they were 100/1

califano

blaugranabhoy wrote:

My sympathies rounders,

That is one horrible selection of bad beats. Incidentally, who do you fancy at St. Andrews. I'm fed up backing Harrington in the majors, so maybe this is his time.

I see Paddy's are giving 1/4 places to 5th and 6th. I like the Goose at 20's. Cabrera at 50's is another possibility. He hits it a mile, perfect for the Old Course.

Yeah i agree with Cabrera and hes in good form currently. I think Alastair Forsyth, Stewart Cink and Stephen Ames could do well if they run. Although i usually only speculate after the 2nd and especially after the 3rd round as you can still get fancy prices on 'no names' that are doing well.
Talking of sporting bad beats i was all in on Van De Velde that year after the 2nd round after the 3rd round and all the way through the 4th round 'betting in running'. Worst defeat of my life. But how could anyone be cross at Jean.

Dub13

blaugranabhoy wrote:

Hope you backed Liverpool at half-time in the CL final Dub13, I think they were 100/1

No but I had them before the Juventus @ 16/1...not bad.

Culchie

blaugranabhoy wrote:

Hope you backed Liverpool at half-time in the CL final Dub13, I think they were 100/1

Cough, I was done !

http://www.boards.ie/vbulletin/showthread.php?t=260448&highlight=champions+league

blaugranabhoy

I started playing on paddypower over the weekend. Played some play money games but got tired of it pretty quickly, everybody playing every hand-a complete lottery, and some started 2c/4c cash games. Lost about 50c cent over the couple of hours I played. Good fun I must admit.

I've started reading a Low-Limit Hold'em book by Sklansky, Miller and Malmuth. It's interesting reading but I reckon familiarity with playing should be my priority at the moment. Thanks for the help on Friday guys.

By the way, am I better off saving my Paddy points or using them to get free chips? I'm afraid it might take too long to accumulate the requisite amount. Any advice?

califano

blaugranabhoy wrote:

I started playing on paddypower over the weekend. Played some play money games but got tired of it pretty quickly, everybody playing every hand-a complete lottery, and some started 2c/4c cash games. Lost about 50c cent over the couple of hours I played. Good fun I must admit.

I've started reading a Low-Limit Hold'em book by Sklansky, Miller and Malmuth. It's interesting reading but I reckon familiarity with playing should be my priority at the moment. Thanks for the help on Friday guys.

By the way, am I better off saving my Paddy points or using them to get free chips? I'm afraid it might take too long to accumulate the requisite amount. Any advice?

good youre enjoying it. not bad for a few hours entertainment. i would say you should play more single table tournaments(9 players with top 3 paid or 6 player ones with top 2 paid). You can still play these for very low limits and you know where you are(improvement and learning wise) more than playing in cash games. You will see yourself progress clearer in stt's rather in cash games in my opinion.
i would suggest you accumilate your pp points and use them to enter freeroll tournaments in the multi table tournament section. to enter some of these freerolls can cost 0-1500 pp points or more. when the merchandise comes out i'd say it would cost 200,000pppoints for a set of chips or a similar high amount so better to use the points in freerolls.

Imposter

rounders123 wrote:

good youre enjoying it. not bad for a few hours entertainment. i would say you should play more single table tournaments(9 players with top 3 paid or 6 player ones with top 2 paid). You can still play these for very low limits and you know where you are(improvement and learning wise) more than playing in cash games. You will see yourself progress clearer in stt's rather in cash games in my opinion.
i would suggest you accumilate your pp points and use them to enter freeroll tournaments in the multi table tournament section. to enter some of these freerolls can cost 0-1500 pp points or more. when the merchandise comes out i'd say it would cost 200,000pppoints for a set of chips or a similar high amount so better to use the points in freerolls.

I think the chips he was referring to are the 101$ credit you get with 5,000 paddy points. They are not actual chips. I think you can spend the points as you go along too. I'm sure pitboss will clear that up soon.

califano

Imposter wrote:

I think the chips he was referring to are the 101$ credit you get with 5,000 paddy points. They are not actual chips. I think you can spend the points as you go along too. I'm sure pitboss will clear that up soon.

Oh thats right yeah.

blaugranabhoy

Yes, it's the $101 bonus that I meant, sorry rounders. Once you commit to the bonus I don't think that you can use the points for entering freerolls. I could be wrong on that though.

PPP-Pit Boss

Howdo. Yep tis one or t'other Im afraid. However with the starting chips you do not have to go for the $101 offer there is a $50 and a $20 one also $50 - 2,500Paddy Points. $20 - 1,000 paddy points. As you are playing lower stakes if you want to take up one of them I recommend the $20 one as you will achieve the required points quicker get your money and can then set about collecting points for freerolls. BUT there is no hurry! Out bonus codes will still be around so you could do it the other way around. It is likely merchandise will be expensive (it looks so far..) But I do not intend to follow suit with the 50billion points for a pair of pants routine ;0)

Dub13

when will the merchandise be available...?

califano

PPP-Pit Boss wrote:

Howdo. Yep tis one or t'other Im afraid. However with the starting chips you do not have to go for the $101 offer there is a $50 and a $20 one also $50 - 2,500Paddy Points. $20 - 1,000 paddy points.

i tried to go for the $50 bonus after completing the $20 bonus. When i enter the $50 code a message comes up 'you can only be in one promotion at a time'. But i am in no other promotion as the $20 promotion was completed. How come i cant go for the $50 promotion, it isnt very clear?.

blaugranabhoy

rounders123 wrote:

i tried to go for the $50 bonus after completing the $20 bonus. When i enter the $50 code a message comes up 'you can only be in one promotion at a time'. But i am in no other promotion as the $20 promotion was completed. How come i cant go for the $50 promotion, it isnt very clear?.

I reckon you only get one chance on startup. You picked the $20 option and ruled out the chance to go for the $50 or $101. I think I'll go for the $20 myself and then start collecting extra points for freerolls.

PPP-Pit Boss

hey rounders. Yep one promotion at any one time - "FOR THE LIFETIME OF THAT PROMOTION" All in the T's and C's. Then you will see start date end date (lifetime) and sign up by date. two end dates as we have to allow time to accumulate points past the sign up by date.
As you can imagine we have numerous promo's going at once. They dont just look like good value they really are.. so if you could enroll in promo's continuously we would be seriously out of pocket.

califano

ah crap im a wally then. i should have gone for the bigger one. i thought i could do them consecutively although of course not continously. first promo i ever tried that was.
thanks

blaugranabhoy

Excuse my ignorance, but what does the abbreviation 'lol' stand for?

califano

lol:laugh out loud
we were talking about this the other day in a different thread. i wrote below

When i first started playing i thought lol was a picture of a player raising his arms in delight after winning the pot. Though i used to think to myself sometimes 'whats he celebrating for he's just after losing a big pot on the river'!.

lol

blaugranabhoy

How much better, in general, are the players that play, say $0.5/$1.0, than those that play $0.05/$0.1 games? I'm just curious, would there be a huge step up in standard or does this standard increase significantly only at much higher stakes games, $2/$4 for instance?

I'm asking as I feel that playing very low stakes games might not be a good thing for a beginners game.....getting into bad habits early. I can afford to take slightly bigger hits than 50c per session and would prefer to play at a level where I would have to improve at a faster rate. I don't want to get fleeced but I wonder if you guys have an opinion on this. My last remedial question, I promise!

Imposter

I'm not sure how bad it is way down at .05/.1
I started at .25/.5 after playing 5$ or 10$ stt's for a couple of months (and a few low cost mtt's).
There is a noticable difference between each level. The players do get better and make more advanced plays. That said there are still donkeys at every level.

If you really want to play cash games and can afford to reload 100 or maybe 200 a month for a while then hitting the .25/.5 tables might be an idea. Make sure the money doesn't affect your play though or else you can wave goodbye to it. Also if you can't get to grips with one or more players at the table try to avoid playing big hands against them or just leave the table. Your bankroll will thank you.

And eh.. keep reading up on the game.

Dave147

Download Texas Hold Em Poker from 888.com. Don't download the casino. 888 offers play money and real money with sit and go's multi tables and regular tables. It's very user friendly and easy to learn poker there.