So I’ve played poker recreationally for about 10-15 years basically using Rounders as the basis of my knowledge, so not playing properly at all. Then late last year I caught an instalment of the PokerStars championship in Barcelona and got utterly addicted. I went back and watched multiple EPT’s, cash games, streams from Negreanu, the big game, PCA’s etc. etc. I also started reading up on poker strategy, I bought 3 books and read them cover to cover, studying all of the lessons in each of them, then went back and read them again. During this time I also decided to take up online poker to practice and one day make it to a live game. Online I played and won my first tournament, then just stuck to cash games to make a bit of cash. My winnings are consistent, not substantial but consistent, using everything I’ve learned in my books. So I decided to treat myself on my birthday to a live tournament at my local casino (in the UK btw).

Buy in was £50, with £3,500 GTD to the top 8 or so players, I wasn’t expecting to make it to the final table of course, but my aim was to make it to the top half (there were only 50 players), I’m not saying that’s what I was expecting, but that was what I was aiming for. Ended up busting out on the final hand just before the first break (I had an average stack still). All of the players knew each other which was to be expected and they could all tell I was a noob which was also to be expected, they were trying to bully me out of pots which wasn’t working because I’m a conservative player (playing very few hands) but when I’m in a pot I play it aggressively. Every time it came to show down I had a monster and they had a high card (often not even a high card just an 8 high or something). So the final hand I raised 6 times the BB, a guy shoves with about 15k and I call with the same amount. He shows 95o and I show AJs. He won with a pair of 9s.

This is a bit of a ramble so I apologise, I just wanted to give a bit of background to my post. I’ve been well and truly bitten by the poker bug and had expectations to make it a serious part of my future life but after this experience I find myself in doubt. Not because of the elimination of my first tournament, but because of the whole ambience I encountered. The players weren’t particularly friendly, they were making patronising faces and comments when I made plays or showed down my cards, and the whole thing was a bit disappointing. Also it might be worth noting I was terrified going in, my heart was pounding and my hands were shaking on the first few hands.

Now because of these doubts I’m not sure how to proceed. As I said, I take poker seriously and want it to be a part of my future and to accomplish that I need to get over this and do it again, I’m just feeling very disheartened by the whole experience, maybe like I’m not up to it or something.

If you took the time to read this overextensive post i thank you for your patience and welcome your feedback.

Low buy in live tournaments are the most life sucking things I can imagine, in casinos that is. Having said that, you shouldn't care what people say or do in the casino because they suck at poker. Just play how you like to play and don't worry about them.

Cash games might be more enjoyable if you're going to play live.

Sounds about right.

That would be about a $70 buy-in in the states. In other words, total donkfest.

Ignore the faces and comments from the other players. Play your game and have fun. Keep in mind 90% of players lose long term, so those players were probably losers.

Keep reading, studying, and applying proper concepts. You'll show a profit in no time.

One way to look at it. Guys who make comments or faces when it cvomes to bad play are donkeys, they just don't know it. if I am a good player, I want to make the experience as fun as possible for new players, and I never want them to know when I think they are playing badly.

I play a lot of these donkaments, and I am always encouraging and friendly to new players. Those are the guys I want to play with. Grinding out another low level turbo with the same nitty regs with no new blood is no bueno.