[bdawg31]

Especially in the 'cash' games. I hear people at work talk about their plays and bad beats and what-not in their pretend-money games and i just cringe at what they are describing.

I think the more time spent at pretend-money games, the harder it is going to be to go to real money. Mistakes that will cost you in real money games are not going to hurt you (and might actually show a profit) in the play-money games - it will take a long time for you to 'unlearn' bad habits you develop. I would guess it would be cheaper in the long run to pump in a couple hundred - and learn on the fly then it would to flounder around in play money and then lose playing with the bad habits you develop. Like someone suggested - deposit where you can get a nice bonus - that bonus can be your 'learning money' - if you play pretty straight forward poker at the $.5/$1 level - you shoudl be able to come close to breaking even or losing just a little fairly easily - your initial bonus would cover your learning curve.

I could see someone maybe spending like a week or two if they were new to the game, just to see how hands develop and just to become familiar with the flow of the game. But, i wouldnt wait to long before making the move.

I have heard a theory that learning to play tight and be patient in a 'play-money' game can be beneficial when you first start out at the micro limits (i am talking $.5/$1 - i cant comprehend the people that play for stuff like $.05/$.1). Would be interested to hear any theories on that.