by SMT

Created on: February 15, 2009   Last Updated: February 17, 2009

Unfortunately, "beginning poker player" and "winning" are generally never involved in the same sentence. Despite the relative ease of learning the rules and hand rankings, particularly in Texas Hold em', playing the game at an advanced level that allows one to reap the benefits of profitability is a slow, arduous process to come by. Of the many variations including games like Omaha (high and high/low), five and seven card stud, eight or better, razz, or low-ball split, Texas Hold em' is the easiest to understand conceptually and this fundamentally explains its recent popularity and growth.

Because the scope of this topic does not include how to play poker, a new player should invest in a copy of "Hold em' Poker" by David Sklansky, and "how to play" discussion will be ommitted. Sklansky's book is the single best available primer to learning hand rankings, betting structure, position, and hand selection. Further, it details the basic fundamentals of learning the game and beginning the process of life long learning in this highly skilled, complex, and dynamic game.

Once you have read the book and have a comprehensive grasp of the content and ideas that are presented, it's time to begin logging practice time. Complete neophytes should not commit any money initially. If you have no experience and are green to the game, downloading free software on either Full-tilt or Poker Stars and playing with play money is a good start. The caveat with this approach is people that play with imaginary money play especially horrific, and one should never mimic what they see others doing in play. Rather, focus on how the hand should be properly played with the given circumstance and get a good feel for position, initial hand selection, and the general flow of the game. Although the players you encounter engaging in the play money tables are not playing for real tangible stakes, you should get acclimated to this bad style of play because you will eventually play with opponents like this in real life, for real money.

Playing small home games or micro-limits (.01/.02) online is the next natural progression in the process. Again, you will be playing with others that likely have no idea what they are doing, and or are playing for recreation; so don't try to borrow their moves, because they are likely not winning players. The new player should always remember to never play games and stakes that they have little understanding of, move up too quickly, or play outside the bounds of the money

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