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January 15, 2016
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Hi Everyone,
I’m fairly new to poker, have played online for a while (micro stake tourneys) and watched a few videos but this is my first dive into a proper training site and I’m keen to improve fast.
I was enticed here by a recommendation to the “Hero to Zero” video series from a friend but now I’m here I realize just how much there is to choose from!
Is there a rough path someone could recommend in terms of which videos to watch in which order for someone like me who is trying to get better at micro stakes tournaments? I have a decent understanding of the very basics (pre-flop hands, position, pot odds, outs, etc..) but not much else?
Thanks in advance!
January 10, 2016
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Kotov,
While I am not new to poker, and by no means an expert, I am finding the videos in the TPE University course guideline surprisingly very informative. Granted, I am only in the first section of the course, but because I am only watching one or two videos a day, I am able to grasp what I am seeing and hearing much more clearly. At times it seems like the videos don’t offer much, speaking wise, but if you pay extra attention to the bet-sizing, position and stacks (“the very basics”), there is a lot to be learned there – even for experienced players. Because lets face it, sometimes we think we know more than we do. In my opinion, its the very basics that makes you a strong player. Give them a try.
Texian
January 15, 2016
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Thanks for the reply, Texian.
Would you suggest I start with the Step 5 course: “Micro/Low Stakes” then? The description suggests it as a good place to start for new players and some of the earlier steps seem to be actually more advanced?
A lot of the courses seem to focus quite heavily on hand reviews. Is this a good way to start off? I had anticipated most of the early videos I would watch would be more “theory” based since there are probably several concepts and things to keep in mind that I have not yet come across or have a limited understanding of?
January 10, 2016
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Kotov,
I haven’t paid much attention to the hand review portions yet. I know they are helpful, but I am focusing on other parts of their videos for the time being.
I would say start from whichever step you feel most drawn to. Not everyone approaches their game in the same way. Come back to the other ones when you find yourself more open minded. Theres no point in studying half-ass. Just my .02 cents.
Texian
February 5, 2015
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Hello Kotov…
Welcome. Where are you from in London? I have lived here 22 years…I wish I could say that is 80% of my life but 60% is closer unfortunately. Hell I am getting old over here. I recently turned 40 arrrrrrrrrggggggggh. So I am an old git. Who cares? It happens to us all. Have I just made a total dong of myself? is 22 60% of 40? Its probably the alzheimers kicking in. I figured I was on a downswing here but maybe I just need to increase the meds.
Well I have lived in Tottenham, Finsbury Park, Wood Green, Hammersmith, Heathrow… where I live now with my wife and 3 kids. I know this town like the back of my (withered old) hand, as I am a trucker in town. Hey! Is this me or you with the intro?
Ah well, just intrigued with the Hi From London tag. Figured I’d say hello.
Well you are in the right place my man! You are a guy right? Well it has been a few years since I started playing seriously, so I skipped alot of the beginner’s stuff. Which is not to say I am a winner over here. It took me 3 years of hammering the 180 man sng’s before I was breaking even. I am now confirmed+ev in those games for years, but due to some personal issues I was trying to get over brother believe me…I BURIED myself in poker for years. And still I lost. I guess what I am saying is experience counts. By all means study hard, but do not expect this to be enough on its own. The games are hard now, even at lower stakes. I did nothing but play poker in all of my spare time, and whilst at work I’d be studying 4 hours a day with ebooks…every spare moment in fact: taking the bus, walking to the shops or the kids to school, on holiday. Any time I could hold a book in my hand I studied. I became a freak in town in fact. And still I lost.
I am still a lifetime loser in poker in fact, due to my MTT record and the abysmal choice I made at the start of starting off playing midstakes (BIG mistake). If having an upward sloping graph was everything to me I would stick to the 180’s. But MTTs is where I see my future, and I think the future of NLHE. I feel the cash games have a limited lifespan.
Which is why I am here. To learn. Best of luck.
January 15, 2016
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Hi Riceman – thanks for the warm welcome!
Very interesting reading through your background – not bad for an old git!
Well, you have me well beaten in London experience (as well as poker) then, I have been here for coming up 3 years now, living centrally (Islington). Walking to work is a hard thing to give up when you’ve got used to it, even if even now a stiff drink is needed to get me through rent day each month..!
In terms of poker, I’ve only been playing for about a year. Online on pokerstars I started off with cash games but found them quite boring and quickly switched to playing the smallest stakes tournaments ($1.10 buy-in and below).
Am enjoying the few deep runs I have had as well as watching the odd analysis video to improve my understanding, although I do get the feeling that the things I learn are less applicable to these types of tournaments than I would like? Given the amount of times you see people opening 4-7 off suit from early position before re-shoving into 4 people pre-flop, I sometimes think the optimal strategy in these tournaments would be to fold every hand and shove JJ+ for at least a double-up every time! Hardly very good practice..
Anyway, starting off in your journey from a losing to a winning player, what would you say were the things that helped you improve the most at first?
I’m thinking of starting off by ploughing through the entire theory library (129 videos) to establish a solid base understanding of the fundamentals before moving on to specifics (hand histories, reviews, etc..) to refine my skills.
Who knows, by the time I reach 22 years in London I might even be half-decent!
February 5, 2015
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I’ll get back2 you 2moro…playing Call Of Duty!
TPE Management
April 6, 2010
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whats up Kotov!! Welcome.
TPE Pro
TPE Management
July 20, 2010
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Can only respect someone who’s looking to better themselves, Good luck and may the run good be with you!
February 5, 2015
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Hello again Kotov,
Sorry it took me a time to reply, I am prestiging on Call Of Duty.
Getting to be a “winning player” is different for everyone. I am a lifetime loser in poker overall, but I am a winner in MTT sngs. Some guys win in cash games, but lose in MTTs. Some win in MTTs but would be destroyed in cash games. Anyone who tells you they are a “winning player” is not being specific enough.
Experience is imo the number 1 factor. I believe winning pros will say that they play 80% and study 20%. For a newer player I would recommend a 60/40% split in favour of playing vs. studying.
When I was breaking even in the 180 man MTT sngs I got professional coaching, without doubt the best investment I have made thus far in my game.
Play low or micro stakes to start with. Having said that, the stake has to be able to grab your interest. Personally, I never was able to bring my “A game” to micro stakes. All that work and effort for a minimal prize? I started with low/mid stakes, but got my ass handed to me full time. It is a trade off. If I had my time again, I would definitely stick to the micros to start with, but I understand those who cannot maintain interest there.
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