Learning to play Poker - which way is best for you?

There are lots of ways to learn to play Poker but which will be best for you? Take a look at the different options below before you make your decision.

1. Playing the game:
You can read about Poker and watch games on TV until the cows come home but for learning, nothing beats the thrill of a real live game. Practice makes perfect and this combines with a little knowledge can go a long way in testing your skills and improving your game. If you play against the same people regularly and end up coming in second most of the time than you probably need to have a regular weekly home game to gain more knowledge about the people around the table.

2. Private and public lessons
There are card clubs that offer lessons in Texas Hold’em as well as individuals offering to teach one to one or in a small groups. Check out our ‘Poker tuition’ section to see if there is anyone willing to teach in your area. Lessons can stand you in good stead for your first game or tournament and you’ll feel a little less like you’re being thrown to the lions!

3. Talking to your friends about your hands
The chances are you know people who play Poker, so make the most of them and tap into their knowledge. Ask them round for a game and swap cheese snacks for some great Poker tips. What else are friends for?

4. Poker DVDs
There are many Poker DVDs out there that claim to teach you how to play, however, most just have a high entertainment value and any real wisdom in there is hard to come by. Many online card rooms can provide free CDs when you sign up that give just as much information as the DVDs so hunt out a few of those first and see what you can pick up.

5. Poker on TV
Most TV coverage covers final tables in tournaments and not the hours and hours and hours of build up that go into reaching that final round. The play that you’ll see isn’t really that representative of the type of play you’ll experience early on in your Poker life time. The sort of aggressive play that you see on TV can be beginner suicide and while it’s great to watch it’s not a great way to learn. Keep it as a spectator sport for now and concentrate on gaining real experience around the table.

6. Online Poker training Schools
Some successful professional players, not able to meet you all around the world individually, have set up Poker schools online providing real-time and pre-recorded videos and even lectures in chat rooms or that you can listen to. The benefit is that you learn a lot quicker by watching than by reading about it. On the down side these schools can be expensive and the lectures are mostly on American time so not great if you need to stay up until 2 in the morning so you don’t skip class!

7. Poker books
There are so many Poker books on the market today you could spend a life time reading them, confuse yourself and be left with no time to play the game! Before you buy a book just have a think about what kind of information you hope to get out of it, and if buying online, look for reader reviews first.

8. Forums
Poker forums on the internet are huge. Some have over 10,000 members, all fellow Poker players like you, asking questions and swapping tips on the game. They can be in invaluable source for tips and a great place to ask questions without feeling like an idiot. Check them out, they’re free to join and are worth a look every week to keep up to speed.