Went to vegas last weekend for a bachler party, and of coarse I had to play p0ker and figured I share my experience here. 1st off I made sure not o play drunk, or hung over. second, this was my 1st time in a B&M table. and the blinds were $1/$3. online I play 50NL or 100NL. so this was way outside of my bankroll. I actually only brought $900 for poker.
I have played with friends in home games for $20-$50 but never before in a casino, On day 1, frankly I was so nervous. I was fumbling the chips, It took forever to count, I had butterflies in my stomach, and for the life of me I could not pay enough attention to make any reads. I did not play horrible cause I only lost $130 that day. it was insane people calling $20 raises with crap and you find yourself seeing the flop with 4 other people.
Day #2 still nervous but a bit better, started to pay more attention, but lost about $100. really not playing my A game, and the only reason why I only lost $100 is because mid session I put on my headphones and listened to music like I do at home online started getting more at ease, and actually won back what I lost earlier.
Day #3 I am now comfortable, still a bit nervous because I am outside my bankroll, but atleast I am paying better attention. that day I stacked 2 players got myuself up $500 lost another $100 and ended the day exactly +ve $400.
What I learned. Bankroll is so key, very tough to try and not play with scared money when you are playing with scared money. comfort is very important, need to feel at easy so that I can pay close attention to the players. having a HUD while playing online really hurts when you are at a B&M cause now you have more things to think about, things you are not used to thinking about.
What I still have not learned how to limit the field when you raise. How to pick up who I am playing against quicker, cause you are seeing maybe 20 hands an hour and I find it a bit harder to get a read without the HUD. gotta practice playing without the HUD.
please comment away
-beck
