Learn Texas Holdem

Question/Comment: I am 21 years old and have been playing poker now for about 1 year. I enjoy playing with my friends (about 9 playing at one time). We play tournaments where the buy-in is about 10 dollars and the winner takes everything but 10 dollars for the guy who's house we are at. Over the past 6 months, I am down 20 dollars. I also play online with play money at full tilt poker. I consider myself very good at online buy-in play, but of course, its only play money. full tilt poker gives you 1000 dollars to start off with. It usually takes me about 2 hours to make this 10 thousand, but when i advance in the table stakes from 25/50 to 100/200, I start to lose money and often find myself losing the 10 thousand rather quickly. I think that this is because i am a loose player who often trys to bet high amounts to force people out. I am certainly not the tight type. My question is: Should I start playing real money online and if so, how much money should I play with?

Thank you very much

Matt Matera

Answer: It depends on what your goal is with poker. Poker is no different then any other hobby or activity that you might get into: you start would small and then work your way up. Some people are content to only play free games. Some people play $3/6 holdem for 20 years without ever moving up the stakes ladder. Other people keep looking for larger games to test their abilities. I enjoy the progression and sport.

Playing poker is almost like going to battle and there is something really satisfying about coming back victorious. Then of course there is the money. Love of money will only get you so far though. I don't think there are any world class players who are only interested in cards because they can make a lot of cash. The love of the game comes first. I think you'll enjoy playing for real money even if it is just for nickels and dimes.

Even when the smallest amount of money is wagered it totally changes the dynamics of the game because people actually start to care. Whether you have a lot of money or little, I would recommend starting out at some micro limits online and move up only as fast as your winnings allow. Everyone can afford $20 to play some .05/.10 limits.