First live game coming up......could use some help.

[BobbySalami]

I am an online only newb. But I felt it would be good to get some live game experience for if and when I get a good bankroll and can afford to go to the B&M casinos.

Well anyways, right now I play 0.05/0.10 NLHE, and am joining a game that will have 4 or 5 people including myself.

Now since I am use to 9-10 people online ring games....obviously my hand selection will decrease, but by how much?...should I portray a loose image as if I dont know what I'm doing at the beginning since im the newb to the groub, or just tighten the hell up since it is my first live game?

Or should I just not worry about it and think of it as paying for experience in live play?

Thanks

[Bmxicle]

I'm guessing you'll be playing with 4-5 friends that probably don't have much real experience with poker.

If thats the case then you will want to loosen up, but don't worry about your image, so long as you aren't giving off incredibly blatant tells like shaking really hard when you have a hand they wont notice. Most home games are pretty loose and weak, so you really don't want to try to bluff much, and you want to bet your good hands pretty hard. Most homegames will be at the level of, or below the level of the 5c/10c stakes you play at anyways.

[BobbySalami]

I'm guessing you'll be playing with 4-5 friends that probably don't have much real experience with poker.

If thats the case then you will want to loosen up, but don't worry about your image, so long as you aren't giving off incredibly blatant tells like shaking really hard when you have a hand they wont notice. Most home games are pretty loose and weak, so you really don't want to try to bluff much, and you want to bet your good hands pretty hard. Most homegames will be at the level of, or below the level of the 5c/10c stakes you play at anyways.

How loose is loose in this situation....only one has any decent experience, but I know I'm a better player then him.....

As far as starting hands go....Any 2 cards with a Face card?....any connectors...suited one gappers?

Obviously the hands I play in 9 handed I will play the same the way I know how. And thanks for the tip on bluffing, now I probably will not attempt to.

[Bmxicle]

Suited connectors and suited gappers are fine to play, but they can be troublesome if you don't have good post-flop skills. KJ, KT, AJ, A10, A9s, Q10, Qj go up in value. but a hand like K2o is still a crappy hand and shouldn't be played. If in doubt play on the tight side.

As for the looseness of the game it really depends, but i've played at games where people call preflop allins with any ace, go all in on draws, never fold on the big blind, and will call almost anything when the board gives them bottom pair. So thats why you basically can't bluff in these games.

[BobbySalami]

Those sound like good starting hand requirements....Ill try and stick to those even if I see I woulda won a big pot with K5o....