[dad604]

Originally Posted by retravoh

where are these 'freerolls' that you speak of?

Many sites have freerolls with no entry fee. About a year or so ago, Party use to have a daily $5k freeroll, now they have a few $500 ones per day. Some sites have nice ones with something worthwhile playing for while other sites have peanuts size freerolls. One of my biggest wins was one that Party give Nintendo Wii's to the top 5 finishers (only for Canadians)

[Colquhoun]

I understand the frustration of donks going all-in with junk. However, are you looking for opponents who play BETTER? You always want opponents who play like idiots. Sure, you will get sucked-out more often, and you need to be prepared for more variance, but you will ALWAYS win if you play and respect THE ODDS.
If you are looking for more players that play tighter and respect your raises....yes, you will be more able to predict their play. But you also wont win as much.

[links_slayer]

Originally Posted by Colquhoun

I understand the frustration of donks going all-in with junk. However, are you looking for opponents who play BETTER? You always want opponents who play like idiots. Sure, you will get sucked-out more often, and you need to be prepared for more variance, but you will ALWAYS win if you play and respect THE ODDS.
If you are looking for more players that play tighter and respect your raises....yes, you will be more able to predict their play. But you also wont win as much.

Very good point. I like to win just as much as anyone, play money or otherwise. I guess it's just way more gratifying when you beat someone who seems more skilled as opposed to calling some donk who moved in with junk.

[retravoh]

Originally Posted by Colquhoun

I understand the frustration of donks going all-in with junk. However, are you looking for opponents who play BETTER? You always want opponents who play like idiots. Sure, you will get sucked-out more often, and you need to be prepared for more variance, but you will ALWAYS win if you play and respect THE ODDS.
If you are looking for more players that play tighter and respect your raises....yes, you will be more able to predict their play. But you also wont win as much.

yes this is a good point. I guess my complaint is that these players couldn't care less about how they play poker - they just want to play the game like it's a video game. I doubt I'll ever face this type of opponent when real money is at stake, and so the consequence is that my game is not improving or maybe even deteriorating due to me making invalid decisions based on what these idiots would do.

I don't think they even qualify as donks because they are playing a computer game not playing poker. Even donks are trying to play poker - they just play really bad.

[Chipmunk]

Originally Posted by retravoh

I doubt I'll ever face this type of opponent when real money is at stake

I found a lot of maniacs at the $2.20 turbo SNG's on the OnGame network. I think the record was 5 players all in before the flop (I was too frustrated to fold AJ and sucked out ) On the $1+.20 games the play was much worse though.

But yeah, it you want to learn the game without risking to lose money then Poker Academy might be good. They also have on-line games against other users - with the demo version I could only join the tournaments which were ok - although every time when a tournie started at least two players would go all-in, but after a few rounds the game got better. A bit like a freeroll.

Even though freerolls have a lot of idiots, I think they offer a good learning experience. At least I used them as practise. Of course its annoying to see someone cracking your good hands with junk, but I don't think that can be avoided unless you play for money.

If you like to play ringgames then my suggestion would be to take one of those instant bankroll things. I took a free $75+25 for Party and it has been fun/frustraing to learn to play cash games knowing that if I go busto I haven't lost any of my money.

[EmptyPocs]

Originally Posted by Colquhoun

I understand the frustration of donks going all-in with junk. However, are you looking for opponents who play BETTER? You always want opponents who play like idiots. Sure, you will get sucked-out more often, and you need to be prepared for more variance, but you will ALWAYS win if you play and respect THE ODDS.
If you are looking for more players that play tighter and respect your raises....yes, you will be more able to predict their play. But you also wont win as much.

This is very true. The losses are torture, but I made $1MILLION the 1st year I started playing PM and I started with only $100. If only real cash games worked that way ...