I've been playing poker now for about three years or so. I'm talking no limit hold'em of course. This is where (for those who don't know) you pay an entry fee and get a stack of chips. You then play with those chips and you can bet as much as you have. If you get knocked out, your gone and it's last man standing.
It started off like most people from watching it on the telly, and then a game in the Pub after we'd kicked everyone out, and then online and then to organised Live poker.
I've always been a bit of a punter, and particularly now I live over here and the horses are simply unbettable on (it's all tote and they usually have chariots) I've probably got more into it. I play on the Betfair mostly, for small stakes. Usually sit and go's, for people who don't play this is where you play against either 5 other people or 8 other people, it's just like a one table mini tournament. I also started playing in a Live tornament in Christchurch once a week around Novemeber last year. Been going Ok too.
Anyway I really like it. there's so much to it when you get into it, so many little nuances. I thought I'd start a thread on it, and anybody who likes a game can swap ideas on here.
I'll kick it off by referring to Jon's comment on another thread that he likes the pocket Jacks. I don't as I'm never sure how to proceed with them. If somebody really gets into it pre flop I never really feel that confident about proceeding. Nine times out of ten only a Jack will improve you enough to win against a big pair, and hands such as AQ and AK have a habit of hitting against the J's. I generally play "super turbo" tournaments as you have to be very aggressive what with the blinds going up quickly. That's because my Live tournament is the same and it's good practice. Under those circumstances, I'd push in a big pre-flop raise with the J's, and be prepared to go all in if pushed. I wouldn't do so though with masses of confidence.
On this thread, it'd be good if people didn't try and dazzle everyone with technicalities and slang. Hopefully people who haven't previously played poker could find the thread interesting, and if any of the stuff I've posted is gobbledygook to people, I'd be happy to go into it if anyones interested.