Law Of Poker? I Feel Like I'm Missing Something?

[TheMoneyShot]

I know everyone plays poker differently. I'm a beginner and I'm sure people can tell when I'm at the tables. Started playing early December 2011. Yes, some people claim there's more luck involved than skill... but what are the common laws when being dealt your first 2 cards? I know some guys probably won't give up their secrets... but honestly... I'm looking for common rule (percentage wise) on what to do in most situations.

I seem to always get to the last 2 tables with under 15 players left and I don't have enough fire power (coin) to work with.

Is there a book I need to read? A special website? I'm trying to make my game a little better. I appreciate running into a lot of you guys at the table. You guys know who you are. Enjoy all the conversations

Like some people go in a lot with an ACE dealt no matter if it's ACE 10, or ACE 8. Don't quite understand the percentages involved? Is it truly in your favor to even go in? Should you just call and go for the flop and see what happens? Do you just fold if nothing looks good? But you still have that ACE? I've seen some interesting moves by a lot of people... some hit big... some bottom out. Perhaps I play way to conservative?

Would you go all in on JJ? What happens if someone has QQ, KK, or AA? Are you just hoping for another J?

Sometimes I see people going in with 66 or 77. I say to myself... why on earth would you do that??? But then bingo... another 6 shows up or another 7... and you look like a hero. And I'm still stuck with the same chip total. I've been dealt once a 10 10. I actually folded because someone went all in with 1500. I couldn't go all in... because I was afraid to lose... should I have tried it? No telling what he had because he mucked afterwards.

But no matter what... it's fun to play in these tournaments for an hour... and socialize with new guys. I'm just trying to figure out what I'm doing wrong? Thanks.

[warriorfan707]

https://www.twoplustwo.com

Thats the site to ask poker questions

[mrmarket]

Go buy/read Getting Started in Hold'em by Ed Miller. It's the best introductory book on the market. It will give you a good base to work off of no matter what games you play as a beginner (cash, tournaments, SNGs) and it covers limit/no limit Hold'em.

[k13]

Flop Nuts, lose.
Flop Nuts, lose.
Flop Nuts, lose.

Repeat.

[antifoil]

no means no. if you keep poking her it will be rape.

[mighty maron]

Basic rule for the tourneys here

The blinds and levels soon get high compared to stack size. Two ideas. 1. Some tourney players think that the real tourney does not begin til antes are taken at the level. Im not sure that is apt in sbr's tourneys. Here is a good rule of thumb. The theory is called M

M = small blind + big blind + antes

If your chip stack is less than 10 x M the only proper move is to shove or fold unless you are in the small blind. As your M gets lower and lower the requirements for a pushable hand get less and less. Unless your goal is to finish just cashing, then you have to make moves and push with less than premium hands. Low pocket pairs are not as premium as paint cards or Ax. Open shoving also lets you pick up the blinds and antes.

Note: Open shoving with lesser hands is much better than cold calling with the same hands.

[nosniboR11]

www.twoplustwo.com Thats the site to ask poker questions

he can ask questions here, he did it in the correct forum

you are a loser anyway, nobody would want your advise on anything, trash

[daneblazer]

Just read a book to start off with. There's too many facets of the game to cover by starting threads. Read the book to get a foundation, then ask questions to build your game. Two plus two is nice, but for every 1 sharp guy there there's about 20 people who will give you bad information. A lot of nut riding too.

[Roadtrip635]

Like daneblazer said, read some books to get the basic foundation and strategies. Experience is the best teacher, play as much as possible and take advantage of freerolls, take some player notes to help you keep track of certain players styles and tendencies.

[RudyRuetigger]

learn omaha

[TheMoneyShot]

I appreciate all the responses! Thanks a lot!

Mighty Maron - Thanks for the insight. I see where you are coming from and thanks for the formula!

[tanner40]

Experience is the best teacher IMO. There are a few good pre-flop calculators that will show you percentages based on your cards, type of game, your position, how many players, etc.

[Ra77er]

Money I could probably write you a small book worth of help on here but as the others have suggested, lurk the 2+2 forums, go to Barnes and Noble and check out the poker books while scanning the ladies. These answers would best be discussed over a brew as it would be too lengthy of a writeup. A few simple things though -

1. A cash game and tournament play are completely different. If you enjoy one over the other then I would suggest looking for information on that ONLY starting out. Trying to beat/learn both games at the same time will crush you. Its much like sportsbetting in that it's very difficult to consistently beat multiple sports. Pick one and dominate and then slowly move yourself into other aspects or other card games as Rudy has mentioned.

2. Find and adopt your own style. Learn about ALL the different poker styles and try them all out...

3. Try to always watch people at your table to get information. Especially when your NOT in hand. Your note taking on a player will probably be limited if you are a rookie, but try your best to keep some kind of notes.

4. Simply knowing the math behind poker is only half the battle.

5. Learn the power of position in NL Holdem.

It appears as though your trying to get pretty serious with this poker thing and I wish you the best of luck.

[daneblazer]

Download poker stove

http://www.pokerstove.com/

It's free and will help you when you're looking over hand histories.