I felt intimidated in the casino

[mutiger91]

If you have ever used the "Fold" button online, you are way ahead of many of the people playing 2/4 limit live :-)

[Johnny Hughes]

You pick up more tells with the ear plugs, especially breath rate, sighs, the guys who are not talking.

[brutalBeater]

I'm glad to read that this is quite normal [img]/images/graemlins/smile.gif[/img]
I guess I was just too much worried about looking like an idiot at the table, but now I really think about it they probably didn't even pay attention to that because everybody was to busy drinking, watching sports or talking.

[brutalBeater]

One more thing about the boat I folded on the river. I was hu against a loud guy who knew some people at the table. On the turn I made trips and was pretty sure he didn't have much of a hand. I wanted to make a big bet, but by mistake I made a string bet. He laughed at that and called. The river double paired the board with me having the low boat. Being afraid of making the mistake again I checked the river and he overbet ai. I just knew he was full of [censored], but the small change that he might have had me beat made me laydown my hand, because I didn't want him to make fun of me if I paid him of.
After this hand I felt really stupid...

I also made the raising with 1 chip without pronouncing "raise" mistake twice on my trip.
I guess I learned my lesson and won't make these mistakes again.

[jimmytrick]

I am lucky enough to have played a lot of poker in prison so playing in a casino is not too stressful for me.

[F0rtysxity]

first time you're usually just worried about placing in the blinds at the right times and not making a fool out of yourself. no worries, stick with it. the play at 1/2 (or whatever low limit) is bad enough that if you just play solid ABC poker you will come out ahead...... if you folded a boat in a spot, no biggie, it's not televised and no one knows what you had... over time you'll get comfortable at the table and be able to use some of your brainpower for reading your opponents etc. gl

[paddymcg21]

I was the same as you Brutalbeater. I'm not claiming to be a live poker genius now but I make a comfortable profit from my live games. I play very low stakes however. I generally play MTTs with buy ins between £10-£40 ($20-$80). The first live tourney I was terribly nervous. My very first hand was AA and I was just so on edge and really couldnt hide it. The starting stacks were 2,000 with blinds of 25/50 and i raised it to 400!!!! I know I made an 8bb raise on the first hand with aces! What can I say I was just very nervous. Luckily I made a fair few chips from this hand but still it was very fishy nervous play. In general I was a bit shy to bet in that tournament but as I got more experience I've become more confident and aggressive and at my local tournament I like to think I'm feared as a formidable player now ( thats not saying much as the regulars at this particular tournament are not great). Like every1's said just keep at it, it wont be long til you feel right at home.

[NickMPK]

This is where you take advantage of the casino's free alcohol. Seriously, you will feel and play better after a beer or two. And once you have a couple winning sessions under your belt, you should no longer need it.