Research, Reading and early results
Armed with a very limited knowledge of poker and the entire catalogue of amazon available to me, I bought my first poker book. This is a couple of years ago now, and whilst there were certainly plenty of books to choose from, there were considerably fewer than now. I deliberately avoided the Sklanky-esque theoretical tomes on the grounds that they were probably targetting a more knowledgeable readership than me, and the prohibitively expensive Super/System, instead plumping for "The Complete Book of Hold 'em Poker: A Comprehensive Guide to Playing and Winning" by Gary Carson
Here At Amazon
This isn't the worst poker book in the world, but it is far from the best; nevertheless a clear explanation of pot odds, implied odds and a much better idea of starting hand requirements moved me a long way up the learning curve.
Additionally I stumbled across the twoplustwo forums, and read a great deal there about SnG strategy, so soon I started playing again.
I deposited $50 and started playing the $5+1 games, again on the crypto sites, the high rake being offset somewhat by the weakness of the opposition. I was not aware of the opposition being terrible at the time, but they must have been because I wasn't very good, yet I didn't go broke, and gradually started to make a little money. At $5 tables it takes quite a while, but time I had, and I am a patient guy, so slowly but surely my bankroll and abilities were growing.
Brief forays into the *gasp* $10+1 tables didn't noticeably throw me to the sharks and my path continued upwards.
Here At Amazon
This isn't the worst poker book in the world, but it is far from the best; nevertheless a clear explanation of pot odds, implied odds and a much better idea of starting hand requirements moved me a long way up the learning curve.
Additionally I stumbled across the twoplustwo forums, and read a great deal there about SnG strategy, so soon I started playing again.
I deposited $50 and started playing the $5+1 games, again on the crypto sites, the high rake being offset somewhat by the weakness of the opposition. I was not aware of the opposition being terrible at the time, but they must have been because I wasn't very good, yet I didn't go broke, and gradually started to make a little money. At $5 tables it takes quite a while, but time I had, and I am a patient guy, so slowly but surely my bankroll and abilities were growing.
Brief forays into the *gasp* $10+1 tables didn't noticeably throw me to the sharks and my path continued upwards.