Is there hope?

[Utrmstbst]

Hey guys,
I am a new registered member of this site and I have to say that am already a big fan. I have found a Lot of information that is both inspiring and educational. I am however, running low in the dept of inspiration these days. Lately I have been playing *play money* games on some of the top sites, as well as I read a lot about the game and enjoy watching what my wife calls *those boring poker shows* on ESPN. My delima is this; I seem to be really good at the play money games winning thousands of dollars playing a tight aggressive style, which seems to define my overall strategy, and I have been feeling confident about it, but the other day I tried a few real money games and I lost my money on all those rounds despite my what seemed to be winning strategy. What is the difference, I didn't feel that my game strategy had changed too much from when I play *play money* games, because that strategy was winning me a lot of play money pots. I am very discouraged, because I thought I was a decent player. I'm generally the chip leader in live poker games with local friends (not online). I thought I was as good as the next guy when bringing my game to the online realm. I looked like a fish out there. It was as though I had never played the game before, all my strategies that won me big pots in play money games weren't really developed after all. Maybe, I'm just not worthy. I really like this sport and am addicted to it; now I find myself questioning wheather or not I should continue with this once favorite past time. Is it possible to lose every game and your money in the first four to five games of online play and still be worthy of potentially rewarding online winnings in the future? I wasn't expecting to be shark, I'm not an ego maniac, I know I'm no pro, and I apologize if I have painted a picture that portrays me to be a big shot know it all, because I know I'm not, but I wasn't expecting to be a fish either. I am very discouraged and feel almost as though I chose the wrong past time.

I know this is a long post, don't feel that I'm expecting you to address every thing I have talked about. I'm just looking for a little inspiration.
Thanks a lot guys

Sincerely, Utrmstbst

[Warpe]

Yes, there's hope. Welcome to FTR.

Read the first few threads listed in here (read 'em all, actually, but the first few are very important):

http://www.flopturnriver.com/phpBB2/...oker-36037.htm

You've just begun a long journey. Don't let losing your first few real money sessions get you down.

[DubRod]

Hey man, welcome to FTR.

First of all, play money and cash game is night and day and doesnt even compare; like playing monopoly and actually buying a house, lol.

Now cash game poker is not easy but can be verry profitable once you get good at it. But like anything that isnt easy, it takes alot of time, practice, determination, effort and most of all, discipline to get good at it. I for one had lost 400$ my first week playing online poker and decided that I wouldnt have it that way. So I basically started at the bottom of the ladder playing 0.10$NL with my 100$ that was left and found most of the ressources i needed to get better; including Flopturnriver.com. I am extatic to say that poker has been verry good to me and is my main source of income at the moment but one thing I am more proud of is the effort i have put into it and not giving up on myself.

Thus said, there is hope if you dont give up on yourself and keep banging away at it if you truelly want to get good. Signing up to FTR is already a first good step.

I recomend reading the beginners digest Warpe posted and posting the hand histories of hands you feel you played wrong or would like comment on. Also, UB is generally filled with more skilled players then some other sites.

Good luck,

[Utrmstbst]

Thank you for your responses so far, I'm feeling better already about my game potential and for signing up with this awsome website. I have already made some adjustments in my thinking about real money games that I will be playing. The whole money managment information I read was very insightful and I think is going to contribute to saving my game.

Thank you so far, you guys are really helpful
Utrmstbst!

[DubRod]

Glad to help, feel free if you have any questions.