Just getting started

Like many others, I'm just starting to play hold 'em and am looking for any advice I can get on learning and improving my game. I've played home poker games for years, but hold 'em has not been part of our game, and we don't play regularly enough for me to get much practice there. I've of course watched the no limit tournaments quite a bit, I've picked up a book (Hellmuth's) and video (Lederer's.....booooooring), and I've practiced a bit with a couple of friends, but I'd like to do more. I've played 4 times now at a local casino (on a 3-6 table, which is the lowest limit they offer) using Hellmuth's "beginner" strategy--tight. Won a bit the first night, broke even the second night, lost $60 the third night, and lost $100 last night. Is it just me, or am I going in the wrong direction?! ;-) I understand it will take some time, but I'm wondering if anyone has any advice on speeding the learning curve.

Thanks!

I am currently doing a review on Hellmuth's book and honestly I wish you would have read it before you bought it. I would strongly recommned reading a different Holdem book as Hellmuth's does more harm than good.

That being said, being a tight player isnt a bad thing at all, but you also have to be agressive (not stupid, agressive). One of the biggest flaws in Hellmuths book is how he favors low pairs over AQ or AJ. You will rarely get a heads up situation on the flop in a 3/6 casino game and small pairs don't hold up well if an overcard or two hits against multiple opponents. Also, if someone bets to you in this spot, Hellmuth recommends a re-raise (regardless of position) and I would definetly not recommend that. If you have to continue (I would say you are beat right there) just call and see the river, you might make trips? The only problem is that pot odds would not be with you.

Long story short, check out some other poker books and keep improving your game. You will get to where you want to be with work, you just have to keep at it. Good Luck.

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there are some great articles at cardplayer.com. i suggest you read a few of those. if your looking for a book on poker "The Super System" by doyle brunson is one of the best available. other than that continue to play as much poker as possible. it's a easy game to learn but a very hard game to master.

First, thanks for the advice. I appreciate it.

I just ordered a book on low-limit hold 'em (Small Stakes Hold'em, Ed Miller, David Sklansky, Mason Malmuth). Don't know if it's any good, but it sounded right up my alley. I'll also try Doyle's Super System. I figured it was out-dated, but sound like it might be worth a try. I'll also try some articles at cardplayer.com.

Thanks again!

Just stay tight, improve your reading skills, as I am currently in the process of doing, (I played mostly online at the beginning of my poker "career") and make smart, educated guesses. Also, you should read books, analyze your play, and the play of others at your table. You'll quickly become a consistent winner, all it takes is patience.

Once again, best of "luck". (Luck doesn't truly exist )

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Thanks again.

Played in my first tournament today. $60 entry, 100 people total. I played pretty darn tight and finished 30th. I felt pretty good about that, but I was so tight that I was getting drained by blinds (but then I guess that's why they raise the blinds, huh?). =)

During the break, I asked a more experienced player that I've met a couple of times what he thought my strategy should be after the break. I had $3600 in chips, along with one other person at my table, the two chip leaders had about $20,000, and everyone else was obviously somewhere in between. There were about 40 people left in the tourney. This player suggested that if I had less than 10x the big blind for the session, I was in danger and suggested that I look for a good "all in" hand. I went ahead and folded through my first round of blinds (big and small), but before they came back to me, I was dealt AK off-suit. I went "all in" in 6th position (9 players) with two players already in for double the big blind. Nothing paired for me, and I went out.

2 questions...

1) What does everyone think about the theory of needing 10x the big blind to compete without going all-in?
2) Without knowing the personalities at the table, I'd appreciate feedback on how I played what ended up being my last hand.

Thanks!