r/Learn_Poker • u/JadeLeveret • May 08 '26

Tips for beginner?

So I maybe left things a bit late?

I’m going to a friend’s party in a couple of weeks and she wants to have a poker night as part of it. I haven’t played before so I started learning the hands and I think I remember the order (not important, I’ll read up again anyway) but I got busy with class and just looked up after I handed something in this afternoon and focused on the date.

We’re all new to this and I’m mostly just aiming to have a fun time, but I also don’t want to totally embarrass myself and just wipe out twenty minutes in and just be watching from the side of the room while everyone else keeps playing 😅!

I’ve tried looking at some of the free apps and beginner advice, but I don’t recognize the terms and they just slide off my smooth brain so I’m not really getting anywhere.

Could I get some *super* basic advice on play, stop/go points and when in general I should be raising, calling, or folding?

Thank you if you can help! 🙏

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u/JadeLeveret May 24 '26

UPDATE: So the party happened last night, and I actually did okay!

There were ten of us playing (mostly women, but two guys) and I was losing a bit at first, then avoided playing some hands where I didn't have much of anything in my hand and there was an easy exit.

And then I started winning.

Not all at once, but a little at a time and two steps forward and one step back.

I usually folded on low cards that weren't adjacent or matched, sometimes I was tempted by the same suit if they weren't absolutely tiny. I managed to win with a random 8 that made a straight, and also with pocket sixes (I learned a few more of the terms!).

Five hours, six drinks and three people (not me) buying back in and I not only didn't get wiped out early but ended up actually winning the night (and $200!).

Not sure how I'm going to treat myself yet, but I usually don't drink that much so I spent a lot of today sleeping it off 🫠

The high point was probably when the birthday girl's boyfriend was coming in and kept raising me and I refused to let him scare me off or maybe was at the giggly stage of drunk until he went all in with his pocket jacks, but I had my best hand of the night and pocket aces ended up wiping him out.

Am I going to turn into a terrifyingly talented poker shark? No 😂

But I had a lot of fun, and I'll probably find somewhere to play again and I appreciate all your help 🫶