Play Chip Versus Real Money Tourneys
The difference between play chip and real money tourneys for me is phenomenal. I can actually win these play chip tourneys which is a boost for my confidence if nothing else comes from it.
 The real money tourneys suck me dry and leave me thirsty for more! It is as if the players in the play chip tourneys are far more conservative with their chips with sensible play and those in the real money tourneys are just millionaires looking for somewhere to spend their chips on any hand they get at any price!
I started out with the Poker Stars Round 1 Tourney that sucked from beginning to end. Hands were non-existent and I just watched and waited for my chip stack to vanish before my eyes. I finally caught a Flush and lost it to a Full House ending my torture as #1109 of 2377.
I played in two play chip tourneys on Full Tilt and won them both. One was a 90 player SnG for a cost of 250 chips where I won 8000 chips and the other was an 18 player SnG where I won 1800 chips at a cost of 250 chips also.
Another thing I noticed is that these players are friendly and chat with you and create camaraderie compared to all the nasty things that are thrown around in the real money tourneys.
Jeff, you have some good points about starting in the play chip arena and then moving forward with your bank roll later. At least I can feel good about myself, my play and my fellow players on this play chip side. Thanks again for steering me here!
Note to Linda:Â Yes, I forgot to let you know when I played the Poker Stars tourney, but you really didn’t miss a thing! $Maxiecat$
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May 23rd, 2008 at 12:23 pm
Hey Maxie, no problem, I have no doubt that you can work your way up pretty quickly doing this…
I have to say, the level of play goes up as you get into the 10k then 100k level… still VERY different than the real $ games. The 250’s can be really crazy, I find the freerolls are a lot like the 250 games. But you’re right, they can be a real confidence booster, and you can use them to work out some plays without risking anything. Back when I was playing them at 100k, I would see the same faces (well, screen faces anyway…) over and over again. There was one week where 3 of us were the final 3 of a sng every night for a week… we were all pretty much at the same skill level, and traded wins ending up pretty much even.
I had to tighten up a lot when I finally moved to the $ games, so watch out that you don’t develop really bad habits with the playchips. TPTK might be gold in a playchip game, but a great way to lose all your cash in a $ game…
May 24th, 2008 at 8:56 am
I think you are doing great. I enjoy the read - and your view - and your tenacity. It makes a great combo and will also make you a great player. I don’t have a doubt but what you’ll be slugging down wins in real money tournaments before you know it.