Christy Asks for Help

A few issues ago I wrote about ladies-only tournaments, and that I believe they help in getting new players into our game. I wrote about how these tournaments tend to be a great starting point for new players, and that with a little luck, these players will move from tournaments to live-action poker games.

While reading some posts on RGP, I came across one from Christy, who happened to play in the Bike's ladies-only tournament recently. Christy had several questions after playing in that tournament, because she wanted to make that exciting move into live-action play. We E-mailed each other, and with her permission I'd like to relate some of our correspondence (Christy's comments and questions are in italics).

"I live in Southern California, and I've started playing Texas hold'em in the ladies tournaments at The Bicycle Casino."

That's great, as the folks at the Bike put on a great ladies tournament, including food, ladies' items such as makeup and accessories, and so on. The tournaments are an all-around fun experience.

"I've played in three tournaments and some side games after I've gotten bumped out of the tournaments."

Christy, this shows that you are a gutsy lady; after getting knocked out, you moved right into the thick of things in live-action games. A casino like the Bike offers a wide variety of games and limits. These limits include those that accommodate beginning players, which is where I hope you started.

"I just think poker and cardrooms are the coolest thing in the world."

It's true that these venues offer lots of poker, but there are other things, as well. You can enjoy great food, make friends, and learn a lot about the game.

"I've read Poker for Dummies, and have been reading Hold'em Poker for Advanced Players (very slowly, and then again and again, and I'm even understanding some of it)."

These books are great choices, even though they are on opposite ends of the experience spectrum (beginners vs. advanced players). They were written by two very talented and experienced writers, and both books are extremely informative. While I think Poker for Dummies is great for beginners, I'm glad you bought Hold'em Poker for Advanced Players, as well. The concepts are much deeper than you're ready for, but reading it can get you to start thinking about things that you may not have gotten to this early in your game. My advice is to continue to reread it again and again, as I often do.

"I've played a lot on the Internet for play money"

That's also a great learning tool. I've often said in my column that there is no substitute for playing hands. You can read and reread books all you want, but the more hands you play, the sooner you'll get an understanding and a feel for the game.

"Here's the deal. I would like to become a great card player. I'm an obsessive when it comes to studying, and would like to take the time in the beginning to form good habits and get the fundamentals down."

Forming good habits and wanting to become a great player – now where have I heard that before? Oh yes, I've heard it from myself and from most of the new players with whom I speak. But I'm not quite sure it's all that simple. In my experience, the bad habits I picked up in my early days of playing made me a better player today. I'm not sure bad habits are avoidable, or should be. In understanding the game as I learned it, I found that it was easier to break a bad habit once I found out that it was one. I think understanding that there are bad habits not only allows you to break them, but also gives you untold knowledge in identifying other players' bad habits and using that information against them, thus making you a better, winning player.

"I want to concentrate on Texas hold'em first and then worry about other games later."

Hold'em is a fine place to start, as it allows you to play your hand to the river, whether you play your hand or not (that is, even if you fold, you can follow what you would have made by matching your folded hand to the board). In fact, I believe this is one of the reasons hold'em is the popular game that it is.

"Do you have any record-keeping advice?"

Record keeping is a great way to track what you're doing in the games and limits you play. Studying your own play can be as important as reading any book, as it might show patterns that can help you in making adjustments. On the Card Player website, an analyzer is available. It's what I use, and it's a great and useful tool.

"How should I practice?"

Ladies tournaments and tournaments in general are a great way to practice, and, of course, moving into low-limit live-action games is a good thing to do. You've already said that you play for funny money online, and good poker software (advertised in Card Player) is available to practice on.

"Do you have any suggestions regarding 'girl-friendly' cardrooms for beginners? The casinos seem to have lots of security, but I've never played at night. I'll be going alone and would like to play at night, so I'm looking for a beginner-friendly, safe place to play."

Most of the cardrooms and casinos I frequent have safe, friendly atmospheres. These cardrooms are aware that a lot of money passes through their doors, so security is at a premium. To further make you feel safe, most of these venues have well-lit valet areas, and I suggest that you use them to make you feel even more comfy.

"None of my girlfriends are interested in poker; they think it's only for old ladies."

And they are right! However, as you will find, they are wrong, as well. Older ladies are a vast and growing segment of the poker population. Do you remember the column I wrote about my mother and her friends? They have years of experience playing poker, even though it may not be with today's popular game of hold'em. Hold'em isn't old enough for them to have played it as they were growing up, but they have adapted as well as anyone in the game. Your girlfriends, however, should join you; the opportunity to learn has never been so great and the materials needed are readily available.

So, grab your girlfriends and their mothers, and come and join us.