[DJ 'H']

I played poker for the first time last Friday and I had no idea what I was I was doing. I manged to beat my boyfriend and was one of the last 3 in. The thing is I can see it's going to become a more regular thing so I am just wondering if anyone can explain how to play (in the simplist way poss - because I get confused) so that I can totally surprise everyone with my new found knowledge when we play next. Cheers

[NeedKarma]

Try this:
http://www.google.ca/search?hl=en&q=...tutorial&meta=

[DJ 'H']

Cheers - I will have a read and let you know If I grasp it?

[NeedKarma]

Cheers - I will have a read and let you know If I grasp it?!

Until then keep the pound notes in your pocket. :D

[DJ 'H']

Only playing with Chips - would never contimplate playing for money unless I knew I was good and could fleece everyone lol

[RickJ]

Yahoo Games has a variety of "play money" poker games:
http://games.yahoo.com/

[fredg]

Hi,
Here is another link that looks very interesting:

http://www.playwinningpoker.com/

Best of luck.

[CaptainForest]

Learn how to play poker... for free!

A free online game site that I use to play people all throughout Canada (and some Americans)...

http://www.tigergaming.net/

It's free so when you lose all your money, you don't go broke :)

Good site for playing poker, you download a program onto your computer and then use the internet to connect.

[DJ 'H']

Cheers Captain - that's fab!!

[sbhutch88]

I recommend downloading the program at www.play4funpoker.net , this is the site that I used to like to use before I started playing with real money.

[DJ 'H']

i recomend downloading the program at www.play4funpoker.net , this is the site that i used to like to use before i started playing with real money.

I don't think I will ever play with money. I am not much of a gambler - but being able to fleece my friends out of their chips will be good fun ;)

[ejj88]

Espn poker club is free and fun. Very realastic

[kp2171]

my wife used to meet with some guys from her work and a few ladies and play poker and pool. Man... the smile she'd have when she put the guys to shame. =)

but then that's just been her m.o.. . her fav car was an old buick electra cause it was big but the engine would leave many boys in the dust.

[jatimon]

I have a totally different opinion here.

If you are going to play poker, I mean actually play the game, you need to play for money. Money adds the sense of loss to the game. If you are just playing for chips that is all well and good to figure out which hands beat which other hands. But when there isn't money involved, there is nothing to stop you from betting like a maniac and losing. When you are set to lose say a hundred bucks, you will tend to think a bit before you act.

This is where the real fun begins. Learning odds of hitting your draw, learning how to understand your opponents and how to manipulate them with your play while not letting yourself be manipulated.

Basically poker play without money involved is a waste of time. I understand that you are new to the game and afraid of 'losing the house'. It is near impossible to develop a real sense of the game if there is nothing being wagered.

I personally think that the money you use to play with should be enough to hurt should you lose it, but not enough to leave your in financial ruin. This way it will sharpen your thought process.

You will find that your opponents are different when you play for real money too.

In the free online games when you bust out, just hit the button and you are back in. Nothing wagered, nothing gained.

This of course is just my opinion.

Now in answer to the question of how to learn, there are many online poker resources that will teach good thought principles and I fully recommend some reading. To actually learn these principles you will have to play the game.

So read instructional material and play the game. That is the best way (IMHO) of learning it.

Have a Google search for Noted Poker Authority. It's a good site with TONS of information, all Texas hold'em specific.