Practice

Hi all I'm new here and this is my first post, yeeha!

Anyway I have only been playing for real cash online for about a month but I already doubled my initial investment of 50 bucks, I know small time but I feel good about it. I have been playing beginner tournaments on Bodog ($4) and some small time MTT's. In any case I wanted to discuss a method I have been using.

I love playing poker and try to as much as I can but I have found out through experience it is a very bad idea to play when I am tired for the obvious reasons. Lately when I am too tired to play for cash I have been playing "free" games such as play money and online poker through my XBOX, WSOP and th 360 arcade game are the ones I rock. I know this isn't the real deal but it gives me chance to see alot of hands, try out some new strategies or just refine my game. Obviously in these "free" games players are not as skilled and it seems everyone plays like a fish or maniac. It is pretty easy to win most online tournaments.

So I guess my thought is this: Is it even a good idea to play these "free" ones when I don't want to risk cash so much because of my exhaustion? Should I just not play at all? I try my hardest to not let the way I play in "free" ones effect my play in the "real" ones. I also feel it is a good way to get some practice/experience in without the risk. Once in a while you run up against a decent opponent which isn't bad.

Thoughts and comments appreciated

You're best off playing the micro stakes like $0.01 / 0.02 NL for example.
At least the players will be playing a proper sort of game, not just mental freeroll style.

Plus you get to make some money in the process of learning.
Congrats on doubling btw.

Also try sites like NLOP, thy are free and due to the cash prizes and relitiv unknown status, even the 500p free play STT' play similar to micro buy in cash STT's.

Thanks!

I didn't even think of micro limit cash games. Does Bodog offer .01/.02 games? I have messed around with the ring games too much I'm relatively new to this.

What exactly is NLOP?

Sorry i'm at work so i can't do much digging, but they allow me to come here

The lowest Bodog offers is $0.05/0.10 for NLHE, I think.

Also, I'd personally recommend not playing while you're tired or pissed off or stressed, especially if you're a beginning player.

Edit: Side note, but those $4 beginner tournaments are probably ideal for your bankroll - they pay a lot more places and have lower variance.