What $$ limit does a beginner start at?

I'm a TOTAL newbie & I'm getting ready to start playing online this next few days as I actually have 4 days off for CHRISTmas. I was thinking of playing $.01/$.0.02 Holdem but a few friends told me that at that level I would never really improve my play as many players at that level are actually SO bad (hint never improve) that I would never improve myself. They suggested a higher amount but were vague. One suggested $1/$2 which I thought was going to wind up with me throwing my $$ away. Any suggestions? $.02/$.04 perhaps or $.05/$.10? Or what about starting off with freerolls? It seems to me from my reading that there are some good players willing to improve playing freerolls.
Also any advice on home cash games in terms of yea or nay?

Thanks will do. I'll start the home games next week & play online whenever I get a chance.

If I was you I would start out in free rolls or sit n gos

If you're just beginning, why not try some freerolls or play chips (sng play chip tourneys on pokerstars are infact sometimes tighter games than $3 buyin sngs)
I think that would be a good way to find you're feet and get some experience.

If you're determined to play for cash then why not start at the lowest level 1c/2c and see how you go.

Playing at $1/$2 may cost you quite a bit of money. There are some very experienced players at those limits.

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Free rolls are a good way to start. In low limit games most of the players are new or just plain bad. But anytime you play is good.

It's not really the amount I'm concerned, though I'm not going to throw away $$, it's the quality of the players. In other words if I play 1 & 2 cent & the guys don't know how to play I probably won't advance much. whereas as the limits improve there will be better players. I just don't want to throw away $$. I want to LEARN & grow as a player. I mean I'm a newbie I'm not thinking of signing up for the WSOP or anything I'm just trying to learn but from people that KNOW how to play. Currently checking out Bugsys & Pitbull as I had those recommended to me.

I don't think that will be an issue PanchoStern. Are you thinking of playing limit hold em or no limit hold em?

Ideally, you learn to beat the levels youre playing at then as you profit, and your bankroll grows you move up a level and learn to beat that one too.
If you play at the lowest level, some of the players may be poor, some will have some experience and some skill and some may well be experienced players who just happen to be playing at low levels, for whatever reasons. Also some will be profitable players at that particular level and regularly beating the games.

The task is to learn how to judge and beat each type of player.
Generally at these tables that means playing solid poker, tight (meaning you play good hands from good position) and aggressive (meaning that when you do enter a pot you play your hand with conviction)

I think there's much to learn at every level of poker and I think it's a good idea to learn without risking your money against players beyond your skill level . You may be a great player, you may get lucky I'd expect players at say $1/$2 to have the experience, the moves and the reads to make it difficult to keep your stack maintained if you're just starting out in hold em. I think you may well learn much less at these limits.

There's no rush to learn and just the experience of playing online and getting familair with the game can be done very cheaply or for no cost at all.

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May/June '07
....Team:7 Black Balls
.... Sunday Lge Team Champs

Nov/Dec '07
....Team: 7Balls
....Sunday Lge Team Champs
....Sunday Lge Individual RunnerUp

Jan/Feb '08
....Sunday Lge Individual RunerUp

June/July '08
....Midweek League
....Winner

Thanks for taking the time & handing out the advice. I'm going to start out with freerolls. Then I'll go to $.01/$.02 cash games. First things first.

I agree with 7letters, start at the very lowest levels at the cash games. 1c/2c may seem chump change. But if you can't beat 1c/2c NL tables consistently you'll have no chance at making a profit at $1/$2. In essence, the players at the 1c/2c tables are mostly poor players (but not all), so beat the level and then move up. To say you can't learn from these players is also quite wrong, you beat them by outplaying them and therefore are learning from each time you get a read, set a trap and getting away from losing hands.

Playing online is very different to any home game even if you do well against your friends. Online players and tables all play differently and you need to learn how to tackle lots of different situations.

Freerolls are also good ways to learn basic solid play. Yep, you get some crazy all-ins early on, but don't play stupid and the later stages of the tournament play more like a regular game. Don't worry too much about winning a few bucks if you don't make it past the bubble, it's all free experience that will make you a better player in the long run.

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