Learning Poker

[SunnyOne]

I always had one of those lists of things I wanted to get around to, once I retired.

Well I am getting around to those things now - and one of them is to learn poker.

For those who play, do you recall how you learned the game? any suggestions?

Should I download a poker app?

Should I memorize the rankings and start with those micro stakes games online?

All suggestions appreciated.

 

[RobbieB]

Started playing at a camp out with friends when I was 9.

World Class Poker is a pretty good computer game but out of publish now.

 

[beernutzbob]

There's a lot of free poker videos on youtube. I like watching Brad Owen's because he has a great sense of humor and also knows the mid stakes game as does his friend Andrew Neeme. Ryan Depaulo's videos are crazy (he refers to himself as a degen gambler) but he is a good player. Doug Polk also has many good videos with more advanced analysis. I've learned a lot from watching them.

There are a boatload of online coaching sites including Daniel Negreanu's and Jonathan Little's.

 

[SALTedOut]

You’re invited to my poker game and for a “modest” buy in we will teach you what you need to know.

 

[EastWest Gal]

I was taught how to play poker by my parents and an uncle when I was six. Three chips/penny.

 

[W2R]

I learned it from my brother, George, when I was about 7 and he was 12. Since we were kids, we didn't really have any money to bet. We used plastic poker chips instead.

 

[Jerry1]

Poker is like chess. You can know all the legal moves, but the strategy is what's going to get you to check mate. Of course, you need to know all the hands and their rank against another. I would get an app and start learning. For that part of the game, a video poker app will work and is fun. But, beyond that, you're going to have to play and learn the strategy. I've found in gambling that there's no better teacher than losing. Get in on some very low stakes games either on line or in person and start playing. Then things will make a lot more sense to you when you read about it or watch a you tube video. Personally, I'd try to get with a few friends and get the benefit of the socializing.

 

[Sunset]

Pick a poker game you want to learn as there are lots.
Get an app to play for fun, read on the strategy and try it out on the app.

Then go lose some money

 

[skipro33]

I learned to play in the military. There are many types of poker, but probably the most popular is Texas Hold 'em. Here's a good on-line poker game for that. You can either buy tokens or earn them. Log in regularly for free tokens and you get a bunch free every day.

https://playwsop.com/play

Other poker games are 5 card draw, 7 card draw, stud, Omaha, High/Low Chicago, and many others. However, Hold'em is the most popular and what you see on TV. Watch TV poker and listen to the commentators as well as play the online game I linked to.

 

[The Cosmic Avenger]

I found John Scarne's "Scarne on Cards" very instructive on the odds in blackjack, and he also writes about poker and other card games, too. While I agree with Jerry1, it is learning to play your opponent as much as the cards, it will help to have the odds down before you really start trying to learn how to read and call bluffs and such.

 

[USGrant1962]

I suggest you open a play money account on PokerStars. It is still play money, but a little closer to reality than the social media-affiliated play money games.

My poker learning tip is always remember that poker is a wagering game, not a card game. You play with and for chips - that is what you control, you don't control the cards.

 

[RobbieB]

Always remember the 2 rules of poker

1) Don't bet if you can't win.
2) You can't win if you don't bet.

Sorta like "Every hands a winner and every hands a loser"

 

[SALTedOut]

Sorta like "Every hands a winner and every hands a loser"

So you're saying you have to "know when to hold'em and know when to fold'em"?

 

[bhoferp]

I play on playwpt.com sometimes. If a table has some person who goes all in every hand or does something equally annoying, I will leave and go to another table. I use it to try out tips I learn online. During the week days you tend to get a better bunch to play with.

 

[ClarkeK]

I learned around age 7 or 8. Learned from my parents and grandparents playing with pennies. I get together with my buddies now occasionally but never go to the casinos. If I'm going to lose money I'd rather lose it to friends.

Some online sites like Pokerstars will allow you to play for free. You'd certainly learn about Texas Hold 'Em there.

 

[gamboolman]

SunnyOne,

As others have said, play some online to learn the rules.
Suggest you learn Hold'em first.

Then....

If your in Central Florida - go to one of the many Casino's and/or Card Rooms.

If they have a 3/6 or 4/8 Limit - this is a good game to play to learn the basics and get abit comfortable

But Limit Poker is becoming more rare as most folks play No Limit Hold'em.

Sign up for the 1/2 or 1/3 No Limit Hold'em Games and buy in for $100 to $300

Tell the Dealer that your new and need help - don't worry the other players will know your new.

Have fun and enjoy -

ms gamboolgal and I have made several Florida Road Trips and have always had fun and enjoyed them.

Poker for us is fun and a social game and we play for fun. While it is nice to win and we sometimes pay for a good bit of a Road Trip - we just enjoy playing Poker and have fun at it. Even when we lose - we still have fun.

All the best and who knows ms gamboolgal and I may sat down to a Table and play with you one day !

gamboolman....

 

[CardsFan]

I don't know if they do this any more, but years ago some of the casinos in LV and Tahoe would have a table for the novices. I did it with Black Jack, may be harder with poker.

The point was, low stakes, the dealer helps, and then maybe you will go to a real table and [-]lose your shirt[/-] enjoy the game with friends.

PS: I am not a gambler (unless you count the stock market). But it was fun.

 

[Car-Guy]

I learned how to play poker in my mid teens... Played some Texas Hold em a good bit in the past ten years in live poker rooms...I'm probably about even after all those years (I like to think that anyway) I never play on line for money... Watch the movie Runner Runner and you may decide not to play on line too....


Oh, play for fun, not for profit, otherwise you will probably be disappointed... Of course, YMMV.

 

[RobbieB]

I love playing poker in Reno, sit for hours, drink free (tip a buck) cocktails, go have some food, rinse and repeat.

 

[street]

Poker is a interesting mind/memory game. Lol

I haven't played now for awhile but it can be addicting. I never played for big pots but we played for fun small exchanges etc..

One night we started with forty players and the winner with the most chips/mpney at midnight would win a big screen TV.

We started at 6pm and at midnight, I ended up with the most money in chips and won the big screen.

I always seemed to do pretty good playing the game.

I wish you well in learning the game, and there is some great books of how to be a pro playing poker.

Good luck!

 

[Running_Man]

Good discussion of a famous scene to give you idea of what you need to learn

 

[Sniggle]

Learn one game, as other have suggested Texas hold em. Then go to a card room, find a 1-2 or 1-5 table, sit down with $150 in chips and enjoy. The key to enjoying is to only bet when you have a good hand...don't chase inside straights or flushes. Basically, if you don't have 3 of a kind or better fold.

 

[WhenIsItTime]

Texas Hold’em is great place to start. You can play online for free and learn a lot. Great game! Good foundation for other poker games as well.

 

[gcgang]

Lots of books.

My dad had Yardley’s “Education of a Poker Player”, detailing the authors experiences in the poker room as he grew up. His strategy tips led me to a lifetime of winning, although it does occasionally cause me to be called a “nit”. Today it is more of a historical artifact than an instructional book.

Doyle Brunson Super System was one of the first written by a championship player ( written in late 70’s, I think). Originally often criticized by other pros for giving away their secrets, the strategies described have been left behind by today’s pros.

The most commonly played game today is Hold Em. It’s what’s played at the Main Event at the World Series of Poker. While poker encompasses a lot of games - just got a text from a friend playing at the Wynn that read: here’s the 11 game rotation I’m playing- Super Stud8, Dramaha, Badugi, 2-7 TD, 5 card double board Omaha, Big O, Badeucy, 2-7 Dramaha, and Archie. Stick to Hold Em to start.

Lots of books will explain rules and basic starting hand recommendations.

Anything by Ed Miller or Doug Hull would be my recommendation for experienced players trying to understand today’s game.

A very fun read is “The Noble Hustle” by Pulitzer Prize winning author Colson Whitehead, describing his journey to the 2014 WSOP, going from beginner to a very good player in several months.

 

[Act2]

My Dad rounded us kiddos up (he bought a book) and taught us at the kitchen table so he could go to a men’s poker night. That worked fine.

But these days I’d suggest an online game app or online video.