Hey guys, I am obviously new around here. I have been watching poker on T.V for my entire life. I learned how to play at a really young age, by playing that video game WSOP 2004 on the play station 2 ( anyone else remember that game? ) I feel in love with the game when I stated playing it for fun on facebook, and started playing with my friends, ( who I beat quite easily ) and I was wondering what exactly is essential to read and learn before I turn 18, and give poker a real chance.

I read poker for dummies, and there was a little bit of cool information in there like position play, and how to bluff and stuff like that.

I want to try online poker, because I am not allowed to enter a casino until I am 19, and I will be 18 soon so i want to try the online gaming world. The Story of Mike McDonald my favourite poker player has inspired me to at least do a fraction of what he's done, and I would like to make at least enough money to pay for semester of schooling if I decide to take a year off. Is that possible for an average Joe, if I decided to deposit 500$ and fool around at the 0.05/0.10 stakes?

i would also like to try to play tournaments like Dewarsaw and Mike


I hope you can lead me to some vital forums here on the site, and tell me if poker really is worth at least trying my hand at. understand losing is a very big possibility but I can afford to take a 500$ risk because it is only one paycheck at my ob, and if I lose it, then I wont do it again.

Thanks in advance

facebook, playstation, TV, Please tell me you are trolling.

If not, deposit at party and go fooling around at the 4NL.

But ye, the thead title compared to the contents assure me you are trolling.

No i am being completely honest, I could provide a link to the poker game;
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/World_S...8video_game%29

Maybe I'll change the title of the forum so there is less confusion.

We can't tell you how seriously you should take anything. This is a decision you must make for yourself.

http://forumserver.twoplustwo.com/32...g-pro-1426688/

Read that post from DGIharris. It covers the question you're asking better than any response you'll get here.

Welcome to the forums!

If you are willing to put in years of effort to get to the point you can realistically expect to pay for college by playing, then go for it. You're at the very beginning of a poker journey. I agree with reading Harris' thread and plan on the long path.

I wouldn't expect to ever make a serious amount of money. Make sure you really enjoy it as a hobby then consider making money.

FWIW DaWarsaw is primarily a (decidedly average) cash game player.

It's a fun game and that's how you should approach this, as a fun game you play in your spare time.

Why risk $500? I would just start at 2nl and learn how to play the game at that level. It's not going to be easy. You will have to learn a lot and play well to even beat 'the lowest level'.

I suggest you deposit $100 and then if get it up to $150 than you are ready for your first shots at 5nl, being prepared to drop back down to 2nl if you drop back past, say $80 and grind it up again.

You also may want to invest in some tracking software, PT4 or HEM2, I think are pretty similar. This will help you review your progress and study hands etc. You will also be able to learn to use a HUD.

Maybe another $50 set aside for books, or other software like flopzilla.

There are also plenty of free stuff you get so make the most of that.

So, save or spend the other $300 on whatever 17 years olds like to buy these days.

Have fun learning and playing the game.

You have to understand than online poker is much more difficult than live / friends / play money poker. Let's say NL2 online is difficult like NL10 live, just to have an idea.

You can deposit just 60 bucks, play NL2 cash games and $1 tournaments / sit & go.

See how it goes.

When you feel you should learn something more, google for the Ryan's Fee 6-max Guide, or come back here : )

How seriously should I take skateboarding? I'm inspired by guys like Tony Hawk who've been skating for decades and now make loads of money just from licensing and endorsements. Is it reasonable for me to put myself through school by skateboarding?

You guys are being a bit harsh on OP, mate just deposit some cash online and try it out. You seem like a good lad and iam sure you will go far.

pls, this is a terrible analogy

OP, I would encourage you read Chapter 1 of this. I'm not posting it to toot my own horn, I really think you will find it valuable:

http://forumserver.twoplustwo.com/32...rself-1514818/

Indeed, pretty much any other hobby makes it terribly easy to make a living regardless of talent or intelligence and with only moderate hard work if you focus on the business side of the hobby. Poker is much more demanding.

It's gonna take a lot of work (100's of hours), but if you really love poker, you can make it big in this game. It's all about passion really. Don't see why someone motivated could not do it

Ī
OP I second this, the first chapter is written for you.... in fact you SHOULD read all four articles, as the first one may be too one sided.

LOL! Sure you won't!

Seriously though, if winning money playing poker was a reasonable option for you, you wouldn't have to ask BQ about it. Just deposit and start beating the games.

Cool thank you for the advice I will definitely check out that stuff
I have been doing a lot of studying as of late, I only hope it'll help me in the long run