How long will it take to get really good at hold'em?

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Rx Wizard
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Haven't really played but have gotten tired of all the guys I know acting like they have some huge edge on their competion. Decided this would be something i would try to get good at in 2006. Why is it EVERYONE I know thinks they know the in's and outs of this game. I would have to guess that less than 5% of the players ( who play once or more a week) have a decent edge on their competitors. I woud think reading a good book or two and playing online for a few weeks you would be as good as the average Joe.
 

zee

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I don't see a reason to think that you'll become good with time. There is absolutely no problem with staying shit player for life. Don't think that experience is the only part in playing decent.

I woud think reading a good book or two and playing online for a few weeks you would be as good as the average Joe.

You actually don't need the reading books part to be as good as avg joe.
 
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Read a book or two, start with $1\2....you can get a clue a lot cheaper than I did.
 

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start with the lowest value table and dont move to a higher one until you can afford to have the highest bankroll on a higher table

i find online if i play 10-20 1,000 minimum to play with because you will get people to fold alot easier. at 200 they will push you and you will suffer losses you probably shouldnt - online that is
 

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Handicapper
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It has nothing to do with time. You either got "it" or you dont. Doyle Brunson said he got good at holdem after only 2 months. Some people play a lifetime and still suck.
 

Rx God
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I think there are two completely different types of good players... live and online, some have the ability to read mannerisms in a live game, tells, or just intimidate in person, which they can't do online. Some online guys can't play live because they lack that part of the game. Not everybody can play both at a high level.
 

Simply the best
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How long will it take to get really good at hold'em?


Approximately 1.5 billion mucks
 

Rx Wizard
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Don't most of you guys think that the majority of players vastly overrate their own abilities
 

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You all should read Layne Flaak's article in Buff Magazine. He was down in Aruba playing against 18 year olds, and couldn't beat them. One guy had a fake ID showing he was 18, the legal age in Aruba and when he met him at the plane to go home, the kid admitted he was only 17 and bought this ID to use for the tournament! He says these kids are so used to playing online that they can't be intimidated and play faster than normal. This is due to their playing online, where they might start as ten year olds!
 

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CHOPTALK said:
It has nothing to do with time. You either got "it" or you dont. Doyle Brunson said he got good at holdem after only 2 months. Some people play a lifetime and still suck.

Agree 100% Chop and DougJ
They said it all

IMO, play online for small $ and have fun and expect to see calling your all-in with second best...shit even with sweet fuck all and bust you. But live is a different ball game.

GL

Coop
 

Rx Senior
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I only play for small loot 1-2 NL online and will play 5-10 NL in AC or the old bmore poker house (Well I used to. It just got busted).

I have trouble playing online.
 

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oldirtyku said:
I only play for small loot 1-2 NL online and will play 5-10 NL in AC or the old bmore poker house (Well I used to. It just got busted).

I have trouble playing online.

Busted?
 

Rx Senior
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Yea. It was in the news a few weeks back. They raided this poker house I went to a bunch. I will look for the article...
 

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You have to find out what your style of play is there is a thread on the different styles

then start in the very low limit rooms even the 10 cent 20 cent tables online to get a FEEL for it ....you will get better with time though IMO as you learn other styles and how many people play

One thing I can tell you is NEVER slow PLAY aces or KK or QQ you will alot of the time GET RAILROADED


Raise something out of the gate to get the 2/5's to fold the worst is losing to a set of 2's with AA or KK because you where to cheap to bump up the pot
 

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Unless the money is a big issue, I wouldn't reccomend playing the microcent tables.. the style of play there is absolutely nothing like you'll meet in any real game... people call with anything because an all-in is like $2..
 

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Read the books first. Then squat at NO Limit table someplace, NOT on line, real life. Then see how well you can read players as thats what it comes down to most of the time.
Do not agree with playing at small limit games in the beginning. Those folks DONT play like the bigger games, besides those small limit games are mostly "card catching contests" anyway.
 

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practice, practice, practice......i've been playing like a maniac last few years and still don't know as much as i would like to.....you pick up something new every day.
 

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For the simplest answer to the original poster's question, give it about a year. Watch out for the learning curve; it's kinda steep.
 

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