Thanks to Dave W. for this question:
Do you think that playing in play money games has much value in improving your play? I started on play money tables and only recently started playing for low-stakes real money (my first was the $20 Hurricane Katrina benefit tourney). Rather than risk any more real money, I would like to hone my skills at the play money tables. Do you think there is a huge difference in play between the fake and the real money games?
Thanks for the question Dave. Like most things in poker, there is not one definitive answer for this. Most of us started on play money tables, and I actually revisit them often even now, simply for practice against a different set of players.
I can’t say that the players at these tables are necessarily worse, but they are often less experienced. This will actually benefit you in the long run. As your skills increase, your tolerance to loose, possibly wild play will also build.
Low limit poker for real money doesn’t really vary much from the play money tables. Again, a large number of players tend to play any two cards, so if you sit back and be very selective about which hands you get into, you will have the opportunity to scoop some large pots.
Though it can be extremely frustrating playing against these loose, wild players, they are the ones that eventually allow us to make money in the game. We tag them as fish, and simply sit back and wait for a chance to strike.
All that said, the most important thing you can do to improve your game is practice, practice, practice. I personally don’t think it matters where you get your experience, as long as you are constantly building on what you have learned and focus on increasing your skills.
Take each level very slowly, and don’t move into real money until you feel comfortable. Once there, play from the bottom up. Start for as low of limits as you like, and increase your levels only when you feel ready and have the bankroll to support that decision.
(Thanks, Dave W.)
1. Dave: Don't forget that patience is KEY! I don't even want to think about the amount of money I've spewed over the years because I got impatient in a low-limit game and convinced myself that K8o was a great raising hand, or 56d was a good idea with bottom pair and no diamonds out there. The longer you play at low-limits and lose to some donkey who keep getting lucky with any two suited cards, or pairs his weak ace to bust your kings on the turn, the easier it is to steam, then tilt.
Just remember that it's about decisions, and low-stakes cash games or some play money games give you give you opporunities to practice your decision-making skills on the cheap. I think of my buy-ins as tuition, and work on different styles of situational play.
Bonus tip: Keep in mind that the lower the stakes, the greater the chances of multiway pots, so while you will still want to play your group one and two hands, suited connectors and middle pairs actually go up in value -- especially if you can play them in position.
And finally, be prepared to suffer brutally at the hands of our Dear Lady Variance. We've all been her bitch at one time or another, especially at lower limits.
Wil
PS - Read Winning Low Limit Hold'Em and Small Stakes Hold'Em, too.
Joanne: I love these features. Keep them coming!
Posted at 10:44PM on Oct 25th 2005 by wil