Online Poker as a Learning Tool

[liladypokerpro]

Have you used online poker sites to learn the game, or strengthen your existing skills? Do you think online poker is a good way for new players to learn the game?


Personally, I think a new player should not start out online because there are many other players just like him/her that don't really know what they're doing, thus setting a bad example for the new player.


What is your opinion?

[mollila]

Originally Posted by liladypokerpro Do you think online poker is a good way for new players to learn the game?

I learned poker by first reading two books for beginners, and then started to play small stakes online.

One point to consider is that in live casinos (save for Vegas), you cannot play for small stakes. Online you can start playing for cents, so it makes the learning process affordable.

Originally Posted by liladypokerpro Personally, I think a new player should not start out online because there are many other players just like him/her that don't really know what they're doing, thus setting a bad example for the new player.

The first advice I got from my mentor when I started to play was to play for play money just so long that you learn how to use the poker software. What buttons to click, how the system works. And after that move on to real money.

In play money tables, and even small stakes, the game is quite unrealistic and loose. If you play for a long time for play money or at really small stakes, you are in danger of learning a distorted way of playing poker. Strategies learned from micro stakes do not necessarily work at higher stakes.

So my advice is the same as what I got: when you are just starting to play, move out of micro stakes as soon as you can.

[liladypokerpro]

I like the idea of someone getting a sponsor...not necessarily a financial sponsor, just a good player that is willing to teach them the basics...and then progress from there. So I guess maybe I should say mentor rather than sponsor. Sorry, I had a long night and am still awake....

Anyway, I definitely don't think it would be a wise idea for a fresh new player to start off at a casino by any means...but I definitely don't think online is the way to go right off the bat either. Granted it's more affordable, but as we both agree, it can give someone a warped sense of what is good play and what is bad play.

It reminds me of an article I read on here relating to misinformation received while playing online...how some players will say the same things over and over - spouting poker cliches, hand stereotypes and superstitions. I believe one of the examples given was something like "Aces always lose" or something to that effect.

Well anyway I know that online poker has some benefits to the newer player; I just hope they have the sense to research other learning options such as books and other articles.

[HeyKidMove]

Originally Posted by mollila So my advice is the same as what I got: when you are just starting to play, move out of micro stakes as soon as you can.

What are you considering micro stakes? Different sites have different stakes for what is considered micro. I would like to get above .1/.25, but to play .25/.50 I need a fairly large bankroll.

[mollila]

Originally Posted by HeyKidMove What are you considering micro stakes?

I meant just generally the smallest stakes available at your online poker room. Those games usually seem to be very loose.