Starting out : all help appreciated

[WillburForce]

I'm gonna start playing poker seriously.

I've been playing home games for approx 5 years (and nearly always win) against my mates. We play with between 5-8 players £10 a game winner takess all(2nd gets their money back).
I've played alot online. I always play at weekends in £5-10 SnGs and then withdraw any winnings. I'm usually either up or even.

I'm thinking of putting £200 in to start and not withdrawing anything for a while.

I don't have poker tracker(is this essential?)

I've played the ring games, but seem to do better at SnGs, finishing generally either 1st,2nd or 3rd.

What level should I start at? I've know a bit about bankroll, read on here.

I'm planning to start in about 3 weeks(when my braodband gets sorted)

All help appreciated. thanks in advance

I'll keep postign how i get on for feed back.

[biondino]

I guess from your post you haven't played a lot of cash games rather than tourneys. Most people believe that you can make more money from cash games, so that's a consideration, but if you're good at, and enjoy, tournaments then you may as well start with them.

With a £200 BR you can just about justify starting at the £10 level (if you play $10 ones you're easily bankrolled for them because of the exchange rate), so if you're sure you're able to consistently break even or win at the £10 level you might as well continue there. If you feel you need more education, or you're not comfortable at that level, start at the $5, £5 or $10s - I personally like the $10 level as it's a decent mix of weak tight players and donks who you can easily beat, and fairly good players who you can improve your game by playing.

Also, it is likely that unless you have several hundred SNGs under your belt you can't be sure you're a winning player in the long run. Even the best players seldom place in the money in 50%+ of the SNGs they enter - if I were you I'd err on the side of caution until I was sure I was easily beating the games before playing at £10 or above.

Finally, most sites don't offer £ tables. However, sites on the Boss and Cryptologic networks do. I personally play cash games on Crypto at the £25 level - but if you DO choose to play cash, you'd have to go for boss as you're not quite rolled for the $25 tables which are the lowest stakes available at Crypto.

If you want to discuss this in any more detail, do drop me a PM.

[martindcx1e]

Welcome to FTR!

just be aware that you probably won't finish ITM more than 1/2 the time, and also it's not unheard of to lose like 10 SNG's in a row while playing very well. so just be prepared for some nasty swings in the tourney world. i really suggest learning the art of NL cash games. the swings aren't as bad, and there's a lot more freedom. good luck though at whatever you decide on.

[WillburForce]

Thanks for the advice. I think I'll stick to SnGs for now. Not looking forward to 50% losses!!!
see how I get on. I'm playing a few games tonight. Got about £25 quid on my account. Only got time for a few games.
I'll post some details of how I get on for feedback. All appreciated.

Ps Biodino did you get my PM?
I'm new on FTR and not sure if I sent it right or not!

[Sprayed]

Welcome to FTR. I would go into a lot of what to do and what not to do, but the best thing for your to do is read the stickies. gl

[biondino]

Willbur, no, I didn't get your PM - try again!

[jyms]

click here ^^^^^ where the button says pm and type then hit send. Oh and good luck