Basics of playing poker

robster970 · Nov 21, 2009

So a mate of mine has asked me whether I'm interested in playing once a month with a set of other like minded fools. Low stakes, £20 limit, evening of kicking back. Nothing serious although my mate said it does get competitive.

So I know how to play the game but I've no idea how to play the game if you see what I mean.

Any tips from seasoned players?

Masquerade · Nov 21, 2009

- Have the best hand on the river and make sure you get paid with it.
- Make your opponents fold in marginal spots.
- know who you're playing against and their tendencies + what their ranges are.

counter_violent · Nov 21, 2009

yes ...patience and discipline and keep grinding your share of the winners out..so if 5 players u need to win 1 in 5 to stand still...poker is a game of weeding out the weakest...so don't assume they are dummies...you can only play the hand u have....you will get away with the odd bluff...but only if the majority of the time you actually hold the goods....play from a position of strength not weakness...you can bully the pot when chip strong...if your weak they will call you.

robster970 · Nov 21, 2009

So I don't know any of these guys apart from may friend - there's about 7-8 in total playing.

I was thinking of just doing what I know which is run winners, kill losers and for marginal's bluff. I thought that staying in the game would ultimately lead them to make mistakes and they kick themselves out.

Simple enough strategy?

counter_violent · Nov 21, 2009

yeah that's pretty much it.....try not to bluff the marginals lol

GladiatorX · Nov 21, 2009

Try pretending you hardly know the rules and do a few 'stupid' but small losses and then wait until you have a winner and jokingly go in quite high, consistantly higher, try give everyone the view you don't really know what your doing then BAM! You win that hand big and your winning the game...
Otherwise just wait and wait, until you find out whos bored, then try to take their money.

robster970 · Nov 21, 2009

Just been reading about pot odds and positive expectancy. That was quite useful.

I'm sure I'll be done by about 8.15pm on Monday.......

Masquerade · Nov 21, 2009

lol, and by end of next week you'll be a pro. Now read up on flop textures, find out on the blind structure and read up on M-Ratio and learn about fold equity/implied odds. Then you'll have the maths side pretty much sorted out. Then you've got the difficult aspect - implementing it.

robster970 · Nov 21, 2009

My mate know's I trade so he's kind of expecting me to be good. I think he's told the others too. Might just go in, c0ck it all up by 8.30pm, eat crisps and drink a couple of tins for the rest of the night, do a load of homework for the december session and probably do the same thing again...........

This all sounds like suspiciously familar territory difference being that your sat in the presence of the others you're trading against.

Emini-mouse · Nov 21, 2009

robster970 said:
So a mate of mine has asked me whether I'm interested in playing once a month with a set of other like minded fools. Low stakes, £20 limit, evening of kicking back. Nothing serious although my mate said it does get competitive.

So I know how to play the game but I've no idea how to play the game if you see what I mean.

Any tips from seasoned players?

cheats are your biggest danger in home games

robster970 · Nov 21, 2009

Emini-mouse said:
cheats are your biggest danger in home games

I don't think they're random randoms if you see what I mean. I know I'm not the patsy, well, not for £20..........that would just be really sad.

Emini-mouse · Nov 21, 2009

robster970 said:
I don't think they're random randoms if you see what I mean. I know I'm not the patsy, well, not for £20..........that would just be really sad.

these home game limits start small but always increase.this used to be my thing back in the late 60s

robster970 · Nov 21, 2009

Emini-mouse said:
these home game limits start small but always increase.this used to be my thing back in the late 60s

Hmmm. That's something to ponder. I probably am the patsy then. Better make sure somebody else is the patsy by getting wise.

Emini-mouse · Nov 21, 2009

robster970 said:
Hmmm. That's something to ponder. I probably am the patsy then. Better make sure somebody else is the patsy by getting wise.

hey i dont want to put you off enjoying a good night playing poker with your friends but when money is at stake there is no sutch thing as a friendly game

Pat494 · Nov 21, 2009

Be wary.
Sounds like you may being set up. Does your friend owe them money ?
The scammers will let you win a bit the first couple of nights and then put the sqeeze on
Then higher stakes

sound familiar ?

Masquerade · Nov 21, 2009

omg....relax - it's his friends, it's £20. He's not going to be putting a few K on the table before he knows it and taken for all his money. Chances are it's just a few friends meeting up, few drinks, some food and a bit of fun rather than a bunch of card mechanics engineering the deck.

Emini-mouse · Nov 21, 2009

Masquerade said:
omg....relax - it's his friends, it's £20. He's not going to be putting a few K on the table before he knows it and taken for all his money. Chances are it's just a few friends meeting up, few drinks, some food and a bit of fun rather than a bunch of card mechanics engineering the deck.

yes im sure you are right ---but

Pat494 · Nov 21, 2009

Just to step up the fear factor

Don't drink anything there
Don't eat anything there
See if they use a new unwrapped pack of cards
Don't take your credit card
look for 2 way mirrors
Are those real specs OR what ?
Why Is the french maid built like an all-in wrestler ?

:cheesy:

robster970 · Nov 21, 2009

Pat494 said:
Just to step up the fear factor

Why Is the french maid built like an all-in wrestler ?

:cheesy:

Reminds me of a time where I had to rescue a load of geeks from a brothel in paris because they didn't realise just what the place was and just how much the drinks were......

I'll be ok. I won't be taking any more than £20 anyway so that'll be that.

As for my mate, the likelihood of him being in debt is zero. He does ok for himself and hates being in debt. This is all recreational. He's an irish lad and likes a punt but he's pretty canny.

Emini-mouse · Nov 21, 2009

Pat494 said:
Just to step up the fear factor

Don't drink anything there
Don't eat anything there
See if they use a new unwrapped pack of cards
Don't take your credit card
look for 2 way mirrors
Are those real specs OR what ?
Why Is the french maid built like an all-in wrestler ?

:cheesy:

and can i add watch lock stock and 2 sb before you play

Basics of playing poker

Veteren member

Senior member

Legendary member

Veteren member

Legendary member

Established member

Veteren member

Senior member

Veteren member

Active member

Veteren member

Active member

Veteren member

Active member

Legendary member

Senior member

Active member

Legendary member

Veteren member

Active member

Similar threads