Poker -- is it a nightmare for anybody else

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I am having a really hard time learning to play Texas Hold 'em in a normal way. Most people get dealt into a casual game with friends with no real stakes, learn the rules quickly, and enjoy it. The first time somebody did that to me I got siezed with a strange mix of boredom and frustration. I have been reading up on the rules online. They are more complex than the simple 5-card stud game we played in highschool. Of course, I can master complex subjects like calculus, but for some reason taking those rules and applying them in a social situation like a hold 'em game doesn't work too well.

I need some way to get my feet wet in a way that doesn't look wierd. I sat behind one guy and watched him play, but I think the whole table must have thought that was wierd. One of the things I noticed is that people seem to use a lot of very subtle signals to indicate whether or not they want to bet. There was like some kind of table tap thing going on, and the dealer just seemed to magicly know the guy didn't want to bet, without having to be told that was the meaning.

Then, the fact that they are playing music in the room and talking about other things and drinking and smoking all combine into one big mishmash of stuff where I can't pick it up. I can't join in because unless I already know "the lingo" I would have to slow the tempo of the game and/or look like a stupid person. I'm not stupid though.

Has anybody else confronted this? Did playing online poker help, and were you able to translate that experience into being more comfortable with a real game? I wouldn't care, except poker seems to be a major social diversion here, and I'm tired of being left out.

Well when they tap twice on the table that's "checking"

Playing on the Internet isn't a bad idea. Also watching Texas Hold'em tournaments on TV is not a bad way to get a feel for the game, and to learn the lingo.

I like hold'em because most often when I'm in a social situation like that I'll feel bored, usually on the edge of the conversation with no real way to break in. I'm not bad at hold'em, I feel like aspieness helps with my poker face a little, and it gives me something to do until someone asks me a question, wants to share a story, etc.

For some reason I always seem to play better in free game. In a free tournament in school I got 4th place out of about 17 players. But the 5 or so times I've played for money, I have not once walked out with more than I walked in with.

Someone in the same boat I am. I tried to learn Texas hold em at a bachelor party but never could get the hang of it. I agree, boredom and frustration. I perfer Blackjack, at least I can play that.

I've played Texas Hold-Em a few times for money. I've lost twice, and came in second once... second was deemed to get the entry money back.

In general I play very conservatively, and never bank on high risk situations... especially early on. I also don't go all in if I have a good hand though, I try to lure the other players to think they could possibly beat me... when I have something really great going on. Once its established I only commit to betting when I have something really good, I'll use that preconception to my advantage and start bluffing with something not so good.

Its also important to know that weak hands get better as less people are in the game. So in the begining I never even bet much unless I have a pair. But later I'll go in with pretty much anything... as long as the betting before the flop doesn't get crazy high.

I could see how having AS could be a distraction in playing poker. I am a bit lucky since I have always played with people I know very well, and so I am not as nervous socially. But even playing with few people that I know, the game gives me an excuse not to talk much. And the game gives me a nice distraction to think about so I am not just staring off into a corner thinking about whatever is on my mind. That actually helps me... my usual look in a poker game is to just stare blankly at a wall. Not even to look at other players.

At most casinos or card rooms, you can sit down at a table even if you don't know how to play. The dealer's job is to help you and teach you how. Just say 'I've never played this before' when you sit at the table. He'll most likely play your first few hands for you and explain the game. When you feel you're ready you can do it on your own.

If you feel stupid doing that, don't worry. People do it all the time. The last time I played at a casino about one person at each table I played on had someone getting the dealer's help.

I usually like to brush up on my poker by watching Texas Hold 'Em Tournaments on TV. My dad also plays online poker, and I like to watch what he does and such. That's a good way of practice, but you still don't get to actually see the players faces and actions, so it's a bit harder.

5 hand and Hold Em aren't too bad, just that with holdem there's a lot more luck involved than I usually like. Funny thing I've noticed though, anytime we're playing for money and I supply the liquor, usually I win enough to reimburse my costs and when I don't bring anything I end up losing a little.

Most of the time me and my friends are more about Spades and Euchre though. Lol, and then I've got that other guy to contend with on the other side of the table every other hand "Blind 7! Common Matt! Lets call blind 7!"

The most important rule with hold'em is knowing when to play. Less versed people will go all out on slop. If you really want an indication, go learn your percentages for it. That'll get you half way there. The next step is knowing how an opposing player pretends how not to have a decent hand to draw suckers in.

Dont try and out-smart the other players when your just starting out, stick with stats and learn to be a mathematical grinder. You'll still be vulnerable to sharks but in a recreational home game you should do rather nicely. I think practicing on a simulation might be particularly helpful in your situation, because the confidence that comes from mastering 'bluffing frequency', 'card/pot odds' etc will give you something concrete to focus on, hopefully reducing the distractions of the room.

Remember in a tight environment only the rake wins in the long term (if there is one), so never be afraid to move on if theres no action.

Its unfortunate that the drinking, chatting and general hubbub (sp?) is distracting, but its exactly those things that make them weak. They may appear confident and relaxed but all that means is they lack focus and when you study the mechanics of the game you'll most likely find that underneath it all they dont really understand whats going on. If you have a mathematical mind and you can develop the required discipline and focus, you have the potential to destroy them.

I love playing hole em'. I send out so many mixed messages, it's hilarious. Even when my hand is great, I may or may not raise the bet. It's hard to tell when I'm really taking the game seriously, because we always play without real money (I play with my church). I did decent playing against adults with real money once, I was the second one to lose out of about 8. It was my first time playing, so I consider that decent. But my current strategy of sending mixed messages causes most people to fold when I raise the bet enough, because when I do send signals, they're usually happy ones.