Beginner hold'em player here, need help/ advice !

kjskjs
in Poker Strategy
Hi, I recently got into playing poker and have gone to my casinos 1/2 games a few times. I usually would buy in with 100 and I really want to learn strategy/ Reading people's hands/betting etc. and was wondering if anyone knows any good books/sites that will help teach me all I need to know.

I am quite young as well if it matters, 18.

Thanks
Kjs

Comments

  • JimmyHoJimmyHo
    kjs wrote: »
    was wondering if anyone knows any good books/sites that will help teach me all I need to know.

    stick to textbooks not poker books IMO.

    Harrington if you must.
  • holychowholychow
    And stop buying into games short. That puts you at a disadvantage.
  • kjskjs
    Like what textbooks?

    And how much should I buy in with ?
  • DrTyoreDrTyore
    Many casino's have 1/2 max at 100

    Read

    Super System II - Doyle Brunson
    Harrington on Hold 'Em - Dan Harrington
    Little green / little blue books - Phil Gordon
    The Theory of Poker - David Sklansy

    After these, play for a few months. Then read them again.

    Mark
  • DrTyoreDrTyore
    kjs wrote: »
    Like what textbooks?

    And how much should I buy in with ?

    He meant stay in school and don't try to jump to the poker jetset lifestyle.

    Mark
  • trigstrigs
    theory of poker by sklansky is a great read
    harrington on holdem for cash games
    i liked winning poker tournaments one hand at a time for mtts
  • STR82ACESTR82ACE
    Don't chase a gut shot.
    Top pair is NOT the nuts.
    Bottom set is NOT the nuts.
    OESFD is a PUSH!! Everytime!!
    Slow roll is not the same as slow play
    Don't throw your cards. Turn them over like a normal person.
    There are assholes at every table. Find out who it is or whether you're it.
    River will always be cruel. Learn to live with it.
    HAVE FUN!!
  • UnknownUnknown
    As a beginner, NOT playing full stacked is way more +EV then being full stacked

    Either u get it in, or u don't.

    50bb is fine.

    Harrington on holdem is the nuts (all volumes)

    I prefer poker forum strat for cash games over books, but maybe that's because I have the fundamentals needed to understand yucky spots, may vary for beginners

    Have fun , make money, and LOVE the game and u will never get discouraged, even when u are losing guap.

    Glglglgl

    And welcome.
  • Richard~Richard~
    as a beginner you're probably not +EV either way. Also, if there are regs at the table the "either I get it in or I don't" mentality might not work in your favour either
  • UnknownUnknown
    richard~ wrote: »
    as a beginner you're probably not +ev either way. Also, if there are regs at the table the "either i get it in or i don't" mentality might not work in your favour either

    0/10
  • Richard~Richard~
    :<
  • holychowholychow
    Nothing beats experience. Spending time at the table is the only true way to learn. You should read some books (several excellent ones have been suggested), but you need to apply the information to reinforce the information you'll learn. You'll also need to hone your skills at reading other players, reading player's hands and recognizing profitable situations. You'll also need to learn to lay down hands. It's an awesome feeling the first time you have to make a big fold and find out you made the right decision.

    I would recommend playing small ball and trying to exercise pot control at the beginning. I think it was Negreanu that said beginners should play their premium hands hard preflop, meaning shoving them instead of putting yourself to decisions and let the other players make mistakes, not you.

    I would try to play fundamentally sound strategy at the beginning and then transition into more advanced play like bluffing. Too many beginners get caught up in FPC (fancy play syndrome) before they're ready.

    Also, play within your means and play at a buy-in and level you're comfortable playing. Playing a game over your head doesn't allow you to make optimal decisions.

    Good luck! (And keep us updated.)
  • yavvyyavvy
    Find a good home game to play in - you will be able to discuss your hands more often and ask players what they had or why they played a hand in a certain way.
  • jontmjontm
    Short stacking as Costanza suggested is not a terrible suggestion as it takes some of the pressure off descision making...but I'd take it one step further...read those books and find a 4/8 Fixed limit game.

    This will grind in importance of position, not falling in love with hands easily drawn out on and reading board texture...number of players in pot, reading tells, understanding personalities etc. Its just a way to log hours (don't take Costanzas advice on this) without needing to invest huge roll.

    If your just getting the feel, this is a cheap way to get started. In differnce in 4/8 FL and NL 1/2 in regards to pot size is when tables get deaper, but FL teaches fundamentals before shear aggression. min buy is lower, you generally don't cap on early streets and if you do, maybe table selection is another thing you will gain. You learn how to manage your stack and not start playing everything just because you won a few pots and now have chips. Take $60 or $80 to a 4/8 or 3/6 FL game, turn it into $200, then get in an NL game...if you bust, start over.
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