TEXaS HOLDEM?

Question

Im not new to the game but ive got one issue i need some advice with. Im 19 and ive won 8 respectable satellites. Here's my problem every game no matter what my hands shake!!! to tell you the truth i believe im very skilled but i cant take it to the next level. any advice

Answer 1

I will suggest to practice the game with the legend http://www.doylesroom.com/

Answer 2

Well if you're good at tournaments and satellites, then http://www.ourfreebie.com would perfect for you. I think their current promotions are free satellite tournaments for the 2008 WSOP and they have weekly $10k freerolls. And it's free to join. Just stick to what you're good at man. If your hands shake, then certainly you have an advantage online.

Answer 3

Where are you playing at 19?  I don't know what to tell you about the shaking, I think we all have gone through that at first (especially with good hands, monsters). Just relax, enjoy and with time comes experience and confidence.  I don't know how to tell you to get over it other than don't drink alot of coffee, or I guess you could drink alot of coffee and blame the shakes on it.  Good luck.

Answer 4

I think Sincity has it right.  Embrace the nervousness for the first hour, because it ain't going away.  It's just excitement because you're doing something you love.

After you settle in, it'll be easier.  The best way to do that is to not worry about the nerves and the tells, just laugh at yourself for trembling, look around, watch the other players, have a beer/juice/water/shot of heroin (okay, probably a bad choice)/soda ....  You'll mellow out, and everything will smooth over.

BTW, if the shaking doesn't go away after 45-60 minutes, you probably have a brain tumor and shouldn't waste your last few moments of life on sweet mother earth playing cards.  Just a thought.

Answer 5

I myself have been playing poker for over 10 years now and i can say that every time i first start a game i always feel like i am going to chuck. But there is a point about 1 hr into any game i play where i look up and i realize that i am really having fun in what im doing. I don't know about you, but i just calm down and try not to get to wrapped up in winning, i instead just try and have fun, i find i do better this way.

Answer 6

Just relax.  Learn some zen stuff if you need to, or breath deep.

I tend to smile a lot, but sometimes it's when I have the nuts and sometimes when I'm bluffing, so it doesn't really hurt me.

Answer 7

It's just nerves.

Nerves are good though, you don't want to lose them completely. They'll also let you know when you're walking into a trap if you let them. Learn to use them. Control them.

It CAN be a huge tell, if you let it. If you're able to use it, you'll be able to use your nervousness to a big pot when people think you're about to crack.  The important thing is to control it, not lose it entirely.

Answer 8

I'm 21 and when I play, I sometimes get a little shaky as well. It is just nerves. Try drinking some water and calming down. It is a really bad idea to be drinking soda, coffee, or anything else that contains caffiene when you are trying to be calm. Also just have more confidence in yourself and your hand. By showing your nerves you are showing weakness to the other players, but if you have a strong hand you shouldn't be nervous. :)

Answer 9

one solution is to shake on purpose when you dont have a hand

this way, when you uncontrollably shake when you do have a hand it will not seem odd

hope that helps

Answer 10

well you need to know what games your best at if you do then take it up a notch, bet more , see in my case i want to own a casino , but bet like 50$ a time or higher

Answer 11

i have had similar problems with the nervousness. its a huge tell, since usually when a player has a hand that is willing to go all the way, but is kind of weak (for instance QQ on a T high flop), they will give off the nervous tell much more than if they are drawing to the nuts or on a complete bluff and willing to lay down to a push.

i agree with previous post that coffee / soda are both problems.  i think practice is important, as well as playing stakes you feel comfortable at.  the most effective thing you can do is have a routine.  after every bet you make, go ahead and stare at the dealers ear or something random like that.  then look at your watch or smile, or just stare blankly at the toke bin.  doing something routine will take the guesswork out of the "how do i not give myself away" internal debate that is raging in your mind. it will also confuse people when you do it every time.  they will invent ridiculous rationalizations as to why you are strong or weak.  maybe someday you will start broadcasting false tells, but for now, broadcasting exactly the same every time is the best you can hope to do.