Loosing the first hands

I tend to loose quite big pots in some of the first hands I play after sitting down at my usual 0.25/0.5$ NL tables. Usually I play very aggressively and get called by a better hand. Then I tighten up and play better poker, but it takes me a long time to win back what I lost in this 1 or 2 early hands. Still I usually end up making a few dollars before I quit. Changing this negative habit will increase my winnings alot. Do any of you do the same? What should I do to avoid getting carried away in the early rounds? Should I fold more hands until I know the table better?

Sometimes I go down 20 to 40BB before winning a hand. It's due to my aggression too I believe and my standard betting habit.

I always raise 4x when I play a hand, usually in position too. I usually always follow up with another bet of at least the same size (double if there are more than 2 others in with me) even if I miss the flop. Then I usually get a free turn because I lead on the flop.

If I haven't made a hand at this point I like to check/fold. It seems to work pretty good, but if I don't get the cards at the beginning, I go down before winning.

Because there are usually 3-4 callers at the limits I play (.01/.02) I can usually make it back with one win though.

I've had this problem at various points too. The only solutions I've found are:

1.Buy-in with less (works for me) so that what you lose from being aggressive you make back easier (this also allows me to play more comfortably, which I think is key).

2. Work hard to play tight in the beginning. Play tighter than you feel like playing. Assume no one is bluffing until you see specific evidence to the contrary.

If your problem is over aggression...I think you need to play only pocket pairs early. They are so easy to play and allow you to watch the other players to decide who's going to pay you off later when you pick up your normal play.

Bluffing only works when you have a read on your opponent. And works even better when they read that you are an extremely tight player.
(Dont try against ignorant fishies)

Loose=


Lose=

Lol /\

But ya if your losing too much early on then dont get sucked in with mediocore hands. Wait till you can see how the other people play. If you play tight first then switch gears to being aggressive they may respect your bets more and you might be able to steal some pots.