Am I really a natural?

[37dead]

Ok, so for the past month I've been playing holdem with some friends and was taking home a little here and there. I went online, read quite a bit on strategy and figuring odds. I'm not trying to brag but I'm awesome at math. I then went to pacific-poker and started to play the free games. The first three hours of play I took a bit of a beating but it was no big deal as I started to figure the odds quicker and watch the cards and more importantly the players I started calling the shots I almost always know what people are going to do who will have what and when I KNOW I'm going to win. Since I have been playing this way I average 2-3 hand an hour and win 2.6 times out of 3 so far. Is that good? I feel like it can't be this good forever. How do I know if I'm just spanking morons and will get my ass handed to me as soon as I try to make the leap into the real thing? I know I have tons more to learn but, have I just bypassed the novice rank or am I just naive? Everyone is right. The people (on the free tables) play like maniacs which makes it hard. But I'm up big and only playing 2/4 with maniacs. It's not that exciting but I have averaged 300 dollars a day playing these guys at 2/4 4 days in a row now and I keep thinking hmmm...

[racquet000]

Im confused. 2/4 real money tables or no If its not real money its a joke. Thats about that....lol

[37dead]

That's what I was asking. I couldn't help but think this was just TOO easy. Wise men know they know nothing at all.

Thanks.


I'm a bit parainoid about playing real online. Last time I owned my freinds in my basement but then again, their no rocket surgeons.

Maybe I'll buy in for a small amount online and feel it out.

[JohnnyCache]

Go slow. everybody playing online is someone who's the best in their basement and can't get enough games a week.

[37dead]

What's the best asset one gains by playing fake money?

[ballbp]

Only to learn how the game itself works. Anyone will tell you though that betting is how this game is won or lost. I know that sounds dumb but it's true. A good hand plays itself. A bad hand plays itself. It's how you play those hands that makes the difference. When it's play money, most people don't really play it like they would if it was real. Make sense?

[37dead]

That makes sense to me. I've been reading a lot of posts and people have been talking about how wreckless people will play on low limit games (real) and I translated that to the same as playing wreckless fake. Just an insight to my logic.

[racquet000]

No foldem holdem. Low limit real money poker. The key to this game is master the odds. Pot odds vs. Outs. In the long run you should come out ontop. Im sick of just breaking even or getting beat by low limit players so im building my bankroll for the 5/10 10/20 tables.

[Replic]

If you're interested in getting a start online, try the different bonus points that different online clus give out. I know Paradise gave out 2 bucks free to any user when their microbet tables opened up, and Bugsys and Ultimatebet has points you can earn in free money tourneys that can be converted to real money if you earn enough...


Go onto Bugsys (bugsysclub.com) and sign up for a scheduled tournament. Just had my first one last night- it was a blast! After the first 10 minutes, you're up against some serious card players, and if you make it to the top 50, you gotta really play good.

[JohnnyCache]

I'll give it a try. What's one more poker client? Get ahold of me on YIM if you want. . . .I play at funny times tho, as I work at funny times.

[Krigan]

That makes sense to me. I've been reading a lot of posts and people have been talking about how wreckless people will play on low limit games (real) and I translated that to the same as playing wreckless fake. Just an insight to my logic.

When I played the fake money games I rarely ever lost. I won 3 of 5 $500 SNG'S & made thousands in the highest limit ring games. I moved to real money two weeks ago and my deposit of $100 turned into $40 in less than a week. I then dropped to the .50/1.00 limit and clawed my way back up. I now stand at $225 but it was a lot of hard work & many hours to get there. They play so loose and wreckless in the free money games that it is hard to not make money. I found the tournament games with fake money slightly better but not too much. Yes they are loose & wreckless in low limit real money games but not nearly as bad as the fake. You really have no idea if you are good or not until you play real money. I suggest starting low .25/.50 or .50/1.00 and work your way up.

[JohnnyCache]

Yeah, a patient person can always make money in fake money NL . . . you just wait for an undenyable hand and go all in on it, you will almost always have 1 or MORE callers . . . it's kind of a grind, but you can play seadily up. If you do that on a real table, you steal a lot of blinds with hands that should take full pots.

[saper88aa]

Rocket Surgeons That sounds a bit odd, isn't it Rocket Sceintist. As for being natural, I don't know.I don't reall think you can be a natural w/o knowing certain parts of the game 1st

[karasz]

i think it was a joke... the rocket surgeon...

a cross between rocket scientist AND brain surgeon...

[JohnnyCache]

It's from a commercial for Eggo brand syrup...the boss says "We make waffles, I can't believe we never thought of making syrup before . .. I mean, come on guys, this isn't rocket surgery."