So I suck at poker...

[johnjohn320]

Granted, I'm pretty inexperienced at it. But of the couple dozen nights I've played with some buddies of mine (who are all pretty good) I think I've avoided ending up "down" at the end of the night maybe 3-4 times. So is it just an experience thing? My friends all seem to be able to see the board and decide almost immediately what others must be holding. I haven't figured out how to "analyze" that quickly.

 

[Canun]

Percentages, and how the other players bet. Just something that starts to develop when you get alot of experience. (which I don't have, I always lose in the tournaments)

 

[SampSon]

It takes practice. It also helps if you play with the people so frequently that you understand how they play.

Eventually you will see how they bet and react to certain bets. A very large part of the game is in the styles of betting.

 

[ELopes580]

Originally posted by: SampSon
It takes practice. It also helps if you play with the people so frequently that you understand how they play.

Eventually you will see how they bet and react to certain bets. A very large part of the game is in the styles of betting.

QFT!!!

 

[jdub1107]

Experience, knowing the odds, knowing the type of player you are against, and luck

 

[johnjohn320]

How do you "know the odds?" Probably a dumb question, but that's what i struggle with. Like, if the board has two 3's and I'm holding another 3...how am I supposed to know if someone else doesn't have the other 3 with a higher kicker? I guess that's chance, but I seem to be oblivious. ("OMG you folded that?" and "dude, you really shouldn't have called me there" are common lines).

 

[JDrake]

You need more EXP so your friends don't pwn you

 

[jdub1107]

Originally posted by: johnjohn320
How do you "know the odds?" Probably a dumb question, but that's what i struggle with. Like, if the board has two 3's and I'm holding another 3...how am I supposed to know if someone else doesn't have the other 3 with a higher kicker? I guess that's chance, but I seem to be oblivious. ("OMG you folded that?" and "dude, you really shouldn't have called me there" are common lines).

It's hard to say. As always knowing the type of player you are playing against helps. Like what kind of hole cards they would raise/call with. That should already give you a general idea before the flop is even dealt. Sometimes, you may have to use "feeler" bets as well to kind of test the water.

 

[SampSon]

Originally posted by: johnjohn320
How do you "know the odds?" Probably a dumb question, but that's what i struggle with. Like, if the board has two 3's and I'm holding another 3...how am I supposed to know if someone else doesn't have the other 3 with a higher kicker? I guess that's chance, but I seem to be oblivious. ("OMG you folded that?" and "dude, you really shouldn't have called me there" are common lines).

That's why it's called gambling. The other players betting should tip you off as to what they have in their hand. If there are no other possibilities on the board, and the only good had available is trips or quads then you KNOW quads are impossible. At that point you know you have a strong hand and you should bet accordingly.

So count all the cards that have been dealt and do a quit calculation of the odds of another 3 being in someones hand. The more people playing, the better the odds that another 3 is out there in play, the less people playing, the lower the odds.

 

[Vic]

This is normal. Statistically, you are likely to lose more often than you win. The key is to win more when you win than you lose when you lose. Make sense?

 

[dbk]

studying this should increase your game significantly-compare these odds to pot odds.

 

[Vic]

Originally posted by: johnjohn320
How do you "know the odds?" Probably a dumb question, but that's what i struggle with. Like, if the board has two 3's and I'm holding another 3...how am I supposed to know if someone else doesn't have the other 3 with a higher kicker? I guess that's chance, but I seem to be oblivious. ("OMG you folded that?" and "dude, you really shouldn't have called me there" are common lines).

You need to stop playing your cards and start playing your position and the other players. And for fsck's sake, stop calling. Raise or fold. You need to force the other players to tell you what's in their hands through their bets. Never call unless you're trapping.

 

[TallBill]

And I personally never show my hand if i fold. Its just bad luck. Other players will get a feel for how strong of hands that you will play out.

 

[cherrytwist]

Originally posted by: Vic

Originally posted by: johnjohn320
How do you "know the odds?" Probably a dumb question, but that's what i struggle with. Like, if the board has two 3's and I'm holding another 3...how am I supposed to know if someone else doesn't have the other 3 with a higher kicker? I guess that's chance, but I seem to be oblivious. ("OMG you folded that?" and "dude, you really shouldn't have called me there" are common lines).

You need to stop playing your cards and start playing your position and the other players. And for fsck's sake, stop calling. Raise or fold. You need to force the other players to tell you what's in their hands through their bets. Never call unless you're trapping.

Listen to this man.

And I personally never show my hand if i fold. Its just bad luck. Other players will get a feel for how strong of hands that you will play out.

I occasionally show, but only to mislead my opponents. If they are too tight for my tastes, I show an occasional bluff.

 

[ViviTheMage]

im insane when i poker, nothing is consistant, i rock.

PS : ive played twice!

 

[buck]

Get some books and read up on it.

2plus2 forums and flopturnriver are a great start.

I do pretty darn well, my biggest weakness? I talk to much, to much trash.... I get to angry... Its sad really. I am still serving a chat "time out" on poker stars (first and last)..... Yes i know im pathetic....

 

[ChAoTiCpInOy]

all you have to do is keep playing, playing online (unless your in washington) helps, or just playing some small games. Soon you'll be able to play well and earn money. Just keep playing.

 

[Topplayer]

have a few beers be wild bet hard... win every little pot ****** the big ones unless your hand kicks ass

 

[thoro86]

no matter how skillful u are, if u're not lucky that day...then it's not ur day. I've seen some newbies always has minimum a pair on that day.... and they won. Luck first, then skill IMHO