How did you get into poker

[4dam]

I started playing about 5-6 years ago. the crapy snooker club game. talking about £20-40 in front of you not much. after i had been losing for about three months i noticed that the same i guy seemed to be up 8 out of 10 times. So i decided he was ever cheating or knew something i never. after watching this guy for about a month i decided he was not cheating he was just better then me. So i started to chat to him more and be cheeky and ask what i could do to improve. The next week he gave me a couple of books, with super system being one of them. I went away came back thinking i was gods gift only to lose more even quicker. With that the guy pulled me to one side i told me where i had miss-used my new information. I played like doyle said aggressivley. But every pot so he made me promise to sit back down and play tight  but aggresivley. With another £50 he lent me. i came out up 180 what was a great result until i then found out i owed it all to this guy as it was his money i played with not me own. So there was my  1st few lessons:

1. Play tight
2. Play aggresive
3. Dont lend money

I carried on playing this game for a year or so. Then with late night poker being so great and finally getting on the net i found out about tournies at the casino it was a £10 rebuy and i went there with £20 and never had a rebuy and went on to come second. That was it my life as revolved around poker ever since.

I then started to play twice a week at the casino and found out i was not that good but carried on playing as i was in love with poker. That lasted to about 2004 when i started to play on-line and lost more money buy playing at every moment i could. Then i done what i always do best i went and studied. On the game. I then started to break even win the odd mtt and SnG. then i started to show a solid profit at the cash games. So i started playing all the time on the cash tables building up a big bankroll. What gave me 10% deposit for me house and got me a new car. i then started playing live more then ever. Why still building my roll on the net. Live i have developed so much that at the the mo iam top of the league at the casino by 30 odd points. And had built up a very good net bankroll. Over 10k. I had then decided i was going to go out to wsop this year and play a few events using my live bankroll and some of my net roll. then it happened i blew my net roll in no time what so ever (see this link about that  http://blondepoker.com/forum/index.php?topic=5803.0 ) I will now be havig a break for a few days to decide where to go from here. Before i start building again.
This is why iam addicted to poker. your on clound 9 then You get smacked in the face to wake you back up. And I would not change it for anything. It ever makes you or breaks you.

And as the header says How did you get into poker? and how has it treated you?



4dam

[RED-DOG]

I just walked through the bedroom door

[The_nun]

 

[doubleup]

I just walked through the bedroom door

I'm pretty sure the court transcript said it was the window

[4dam]

one line king strikes again.

[doubleup]

Anyway back on topic...

I just had a go at a poker comp at the long gone Regency Casino, enjoyed it and went back.  Was lucky enough to get a second place on the 3rd attempt (hit a few flushes and a KK vs AA coup...I didn't have the aces)

[yt]

Late. Night. Poker.

[SKIPPYSKIP]

My mate plays Dave 'Dubia' Shallow plays, he has had some good trips to different places that he has won and fancied a bit of the same.

[Trace]

Watched my Ex playing it after watching Late Night Poker.

Put a fiver on VC, not credited any since and that was November  2003 I think.

[brad.strider]

LNP for me as wel

[Royal Fish]

Got hooked after watching WSOP !

[Highstack]

I have always been into gambling and I was just striving all my life to find something that was not only gambling to feed my addiction, but also where I could gain an edge to become successful. I first saw LNP and was instantly hooked. I found a local game in a pub (where I still go) and then played on line and finally in a casino. I love it and haven't looked back although I still have far too much sports leakage.

I also wouldn't worry too much about going broke mate, it makes the good times feel better. I go broke all the time, mainly playing above my roll. Fortunately I do not require it for an income (perhaps aswell with my discipline), so each time I go bust I start again and build a new one. It keeps it fresh and fun. I wish I could change, but I only ever think like this during a dry period.  I think there will always be a bit of a gambler in me.

[Poppet7]

Watched a bit on tv so tried some play money games, went to the casino's tutor night and started playing live the following Friday. Ruth (ruthless1) got me into the online poker.

[Graham C]

Not really sure why I tried it.  It was only back in October time (about 2 weeks before I joined here).

I have an account on Betfair that I use for betting.  I usually only make £2 or £3 bets, some times a fiver but very rarely and I wanted to get more value for money for my betting (i.e. it lasting longer than a 5 min horse race or losing a first to score bet quickly)  I'd played a couple of times in the past and thought I'd try poker.

I was a bit nervous at first as I didnt realise you could play STT's or MTT's and the thought of losing my hard bet cash in a single game terrified me, but then I found tourneys and haven't looked back.

I'm glad I found poker.  I love the game and I have learnt a massive amount about the game.  I do worry sometimes that I perhaps play too much as I play every day and I usually stay up late to do so after the missus has gone to bed (I need a laptop so I can play and sit with her!) but I love it.

[Longy]

I have been interested in the game ever since late night poker. Coming home after a night on the town while devouring a kebab (use to be on Friday nights i think), late night poker was the perfect accompiniment. About 2 years ago i decided to give online a shot and played low limits for fun nothing much above a $5 MTT for the first year but the obsession grew and being the competitive soul i am, i decided that if i was going to play i want to be good as can be. Still learning now but have moved through the limits to the point where poker provides a nice supplementary income and a good hobby.
Hell im even considering taking a break from my job (Teacher) to see if i could make a living from the game. No doubt about it i love the game.