The first big decision you’ll have to make when starting out in poker isn’t which hand to play, it’s which type of game suits you. Essentially there are two types of Hold'em variation.
Ring games
Ring games are basically straight cash tables, with the winner of each individual game taking the pot. There are two separate types of cash game, Limit and No Limit. In No Limit games the amount you raise is not restricted, Limit tables differ in that raises are capped. Because of the limited risk, it's often Limit Hold'em in which most beginners choose to start out and learn the ropes.
Once you decide whether its Limit or No Limit that takes your fancy, you must then decide what stakes suit your bankroll. PKR offer cash poker tables with blinds starting in the pennies and going all the way up to $25/$50. We don’t want to sound like your mother, but it’s important that you always select a game that suits your budget. Most poker rooms require you to sit down with a minimum buy-in of 10-times the lower stake level. But just showing up with the bare minimum will leave you short stacked and open to attack from aggressive players. It's best to choose a blind level where you can afford a healthy buy-in.
Once you’ve determined your stakes you could just dive into the first game that matches your criteria. But you’ll be giving yourself a big edge if you look before you leap. Check out the average pot size on the tables in your range. Tables with bigger average pot sizes tell you that the play has been very aggressive on that table. Smaller averages indicate a more calculating (or just cautious) table. The latter might reward aggressive play, while the former is more suited to a conservative style.
Choosing a tournament
Tournaments are less complicated to budget for because your losses are capped from the outset – you can only lose as much money as you’ve paid to buy-in (unless it’s a re-buy tournament). The upside is pretty good too. Take down a multi-table tournament with 100 entrants and you could expect to see a 50-fold return on your investment.
When choosing a multi-table tournament, keep in mind that it will take upwards of two to three hours to complete (depending on how far along you make it). Make sure you’ve got enough time to see it through.
If you’re struggling for time but still like the idea of a tournament a sit & go single-table tournament or a sit & go might be the answer. A ten-seat sit and go will usually take about an hour to play, while a six-pack should be wrapped-up in about 45 minutes.
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