Share your experience of getting someone else involved in poker.

belgianbeerlover · #1 01-19-2006, 03:17 PM

"So how's poker going?"
This is the usual question I get from my brother and a close friend when I see them. Besides my wife- they are the only one's that know the extent of my play, expectations and past experiences. My brother would like to start and I told him I'd help him with the learning curve. I'm little concerned he may not be cut out for it. I'm curious what others have experienced - good & bad - with getting someone else involved in poker.

daveT · #2 01-19-2006, 04:33 PM

I have the fortune of not knowing anyone deeply involved in gambling, except for one card- counter. Also, everyone I know is far too risk- adverse to consider poker.

I have brought friends to the casino with me before. Aside from softening the game, it was always a horrible experience. First, they bust out too quickly, then they whine because they wanted to have fun but didn't. I question how they could have fun when they are purposely loosing their money.

I have had a few freinds who told me they would be interested in trying out the game. I gave them one book, SSHE, and told them that if they are interested in continuing they know where the book store is. I took the risk to study, they should have to invest in their own studies as well, IMO.

What invariably happened, was that they read about pot odds and decided that they weren't really cut out for it, though I could have told them that already.

soko · #3 01-19-2006, 05:05 PM

At least 4-5 of my friends who knew I was making profits online deposited and busted out swearing to never play online agian because it's too rigged. The rest of them just play home games and continue to suck and not care.

Ioz · #4 01-19-2006, 05:34 PM

I have tried with a few of my friends, to get them to understand what it takes to be a winning player.

I was cheap though and gave them a copy of Lee Jones book instead of SSHE. I figured if they wanted to put the work in, they would ask me about more books in the future.

Niether one of them finished the book I gave them. One even went so far as to say they play better than all the play suggested in the book.

I gave up, and now just take a little money off them once a month at our home game, and have them call me lucky.

Not to discourage you though. I would give him a book to get him started on the right track, and see if he is willing to take the time to study the game.

Then start helping him more from there.

PokerCad · #5 01-19-2006, 05:41 PM

A good friend of mine got me involved, recommended the books, took a little time explaining the game etc.....I now exceed him in both profit and limit and it is now the student teaching. I thank him on a regular basis

Vincent · #6 01-19-2006, 09:06 PM

It has never worked out well, and I won't ever do it again.

1. Couldn't cut it - lost money decent money.
2. Couldn't cut it - wasted a year of his life.
3. Currently can't cut it.

If they want to be good, they'll be good w/o you just fine.

scrapperdog · #7 01-20-2006, 02:43 AM

I know these "I am gonna teach my wife to play" posts result in more divorces than winning players.

Biggle10 · #8 01-20-2006, 03:25 AM

I taught a friend to play and I even staked him his first $100. He's done pretty well since then. However, it caused some arguments between him and his wife and she's a bit upset with me for teaching him. In hindsight I wish I hadn't but you can't unteach someone.

belgianbeerlover · #9 01-20-2006, 09:55 AM

Thanks for the replys. Of course I'm going to help my brother, and I'm going to be as hands on as he needs me to be. I'm a limit guy though. He likes NL. Specifically it sounds like he'll be playing SNG's. I bought him Dan Harrington's two books on NL tourney's. I've stressed the importance of studying, BR mgt., and coming here. One reason I'm reluctant is he has an addictive personality. The other reason I am a little reluctant is once I gave some advice to a friend on buying stocks. I recommended the advisement service and broker I use. He just didn't get it. I had to hold his hand WAY too much, and of course he tried it on a downswing. He's quit asking me questions, so I think he may have pulled out. We are still good friends, but it taught me a lesson.

HotPants · #10 01-20-2006, 11:26 AM

I've just started teaching 3 of my friends, and I'm rolling them [img]/images/graemlins/blush.gif[/img]

2 haven't done much yet, but the third has already made 10 buyins at .05-.10 NL 6max, and under my 'system' is therefore able to play .10-.25 NL. He's up a few buyins after about of day of play there. He's only been playing for 2 weeks, I think he's got a good shot of making it.

He's incredibly lucky because I'm giving him all the essential advice that took me like 3 years to learn (how to play 6max NL, roll management, psycological side of poker etc.)