Moving from Internet to B&M and am \"nervous\". How to fix
 

Hi,
I've been playing online poker for about 1 1/2 years and just played my first cash game at a casino. I won $375 after an hour, then quit. My problem is that I'm kind of nervous playing the live game. I played to live tournaments in addition to the cash game and my hands actually shake a bit. I win a bunch of chips and fumble around trying to stack them. Also, what sucks, is that I feel less aggressive betting because I'm fumbling with the damn chips! LOL I know this sounds funny. I'm just getting a little bored with online and, since two casinos are close by, I figure I might as well play live. I guess I just need to play more to get rid of the nervousness!

Re: Moving from Internet to B&M and am \"nervous\". How to fix
 

just play more and you'll get aclimated to the live casino games. Just remember, the players are much worse, on average, than online peeps. Are you playing limit or NL?

Re: Moving from Internet to B&M and am \"nervous\". How to fix
 

Try to take your time when making a decision. If you see a big hand, don't excitedly reach for chips. Pause, think about how much to raise, and do it calmly.

When it goes to showdown, just stare straight ahead. Don't talk or give off anything that would give them an insight to how weak/strong your hand is.

Re: Moving from Internet to B&M and am \"nervous\". How to fix
 

The shaking hands thing happens to all newer (and many experienced) live players as they try to stack their chips from a big pot, especially if it comes early in the session. Don't sweat it, or feel silly about it at all.

In general, the more you play, the more comfortable you'll be. Just keep at it.

Re: Moving from Internet to B&M and am \"nervous\". How to fix
 

It's from adrenaline. Online, you can do a fist bump "booyah!" and release it, but that doesn't fly too well live. As others said, it's just practice, getting used to the environment, etc. Relax, try to breathe calmly and regularly, and look around and realize that you probably gave everyone at the table far too much credit regarding their skill.

Also, don't press the "fold to any bet" button. Act in turn, don't telegraph your action, even if it's "just a fold".

Re: Moving from Internet to B&M and am \"nervous\". How to fix
 

you are used to internet speed and it will take a lot of adjustments to SLOW down and to also get over your initial eagerness and anxiety; realize that there is NOT a 5-second clock and gong on you

Re: Moving from Internet to B&M and am \"nervous\". How to fix
 

You'll get better with it over time. One good thing to do is verbally announce your actions before you start to reach for chips. Determine how much you want to raise or whatever, say it, then look at your chips to see exactly what you need to grab before reaching for them. Doing this you should minimize the actual time your hand is on the chips during a pot.

After you win a big pot, no big deal. I don't care if people are laughing at my hands shaking when I know that I just took their monies.

Also, I don't consider this sound advice at all, but I'll usually have a beer or two before sitting down to calm the nerves a little. Not enough to give me a buzz or any kind of mental disadvantage (I don't think), but enough to get my body relaxed a little. Try at your own risk.

Re: Moving from Internet to B&M and am \"nervous\". How to fix
 

Cherish this time, really. I know it sounds corny, but it only happens once in your life, and believe me, after years of being completely cynical and jaded about poker, you'll wish you had it back again.

Turn it around and use it to your advantage. Lots of seasoned players notice everything around them (we're bored spitless and have nothing else to do, after all), so use that nervousness to completely confuse us. Don't try to hide the shaking when you DON'T have a big hand, and get us to fold. Since you've played online 18 months and have that experience, think of every reverse tell that you can use to your advantage while playing live, and use it, don't squander it. It only happens once, might as well make some extra money before it goes away.

Felicia [img]/images/graemlins/smile.gif[/img]

Re: Moving from Internet to B&M and am \"nervous\". How to fix
 

Play more, it will wear off, nothing else to it.

Re: Moving from Internet to B&M and am \"nervous\". How to fix
 

Drink.

Seriously, if I haven't played live in a while I often feel a little uptight, so I have a drink or two to relax. It is good for your table image too.