How long does it take to get a decent grasp of poker if youve never played the game but watched plenty on TV?
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Poker on tv is nothing like real poker. Forget everything you have seen on tv, and read a book and play small stakes on-line.Originally posted by englishmikeComment -
I wouldnt even recommend reading a book. Everything i've learned about poker came from playing live games.Originally posted by element1286Comment -
Experience.Comment -
Its very easy to get a grasp on the game. The rules are very simple and it takes very little effort to memorize card hands and rankings if you haven't already.
Then it depends on how you define "decent grasp", I'd say it depends on the individual. First, as element said, reading a book is a great idea so you get into the right habits immediately instead of learning them the hard way (I've been playing for about 8 years and have really only taken my game to the next level over the last 2)...
If you are serious about becoming good, you really need to learn odds... it is difficult but you must know this stuff off the top of your head. If you have 2 hearts in your hand and you hit 2 on the flop, what are the odds you will make your flush? With one card to go? Knowing this, how much is worth calling? Everyone plays differently and you can chose to embrace or ignore conventional pot odds but you have to KNOW them.
Lastly, as element said, real poker is much different from the TV stuff. That is high stakes tournament poker for one, and for two, they edit out all the boring hands. Poker is won in the trenches, you don't pick up AA every other hand.
Good luck if you are taking this game on! Let me know if I can help in any way
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It doesn't hurt, but I have gotten some good information out of books. Obviously nothing beats experience.Originally posted by jtuckComment -
I'll be honest, I'm going to the bash and it seems a shame not to partake but on the other hand I dont want to take a seat away from a player that could actually win.Comment -
The only thing I really pay attention to on tv poker is the odds they give for each hand. Knowing what percent of time AJ beats KQ an so on is very important IMO.Comment -
Why would TV be helpful for that? AJ is a 60/40 (3:2) favorite. You should have these things memorized already if you want to be a profitable player.Comment -
It was an example in the simplest form. I watched lots of poker on tv before i ever started playing, just like mike said he has, so maybe he's paid attention to the percentages quite a bit and knows them from watching it.Originally posted by MonkeyF0ckerComment -
I'm not sure what I know, hence the question. I think the definitive answer would be it would be impossible to learn less about something by watching it on tv. I'm not sure what you can learn but it certainly can't do your game any harm by watching it. I think I asked the question because I dont want to be a pain in the ass to the other players, i was wondering how easy it would be to sit there and just play my game on the fly as it were.Comment -
By the way, some TV shows take out known hole cards of other players not currently in the hand (information that would not factor into your own calculations) as factoring into the drawing percentage. This could actually misrepresent your odds in future play and is not an advisable method for ascertaining your percentages. Memorizing preflop matchups, counting outs after the flop, and memorizing the outs percentages (both on the flop and the turn) is the only way to accomplish this...Comment -
Just as long as you know what hand beats what, and some sense of table etiquette no one should care, ie know when the action is on you. The rest shouldn't matter to the rest of the table.Originally posted by englishmikeComment -
I think I could pull that off, I'll have a think about it.Comment -
Well, in short, if you don't know how to calculate your drawing percentage, your pot odds, and your implied odds, then you need to do some reading. These tools are the minimal skillset it takes to be a profitable player long term. After you know them, you can begin to develop reads and take your game a step further. However, without those abilities, you MAY see some short term success based on luck alone, but it would be extremely difficult to profit in the long run. Assuming that is your goal...Originally posted by englishmikeComment -
Your post has got my interest, short term success seems to be what I'm looking for.Comment -
Well good luck then.
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