Ugh, I’m so frustrated right now! 
Just got into poker a couple of months ago, and I swear, every time I think I’ve got a decent hand, I get absolutely crushed! Like, what am I doing wrong here? I’ve been playing mostly online, low-stakes Texas Hold’em, and it feels like I’m bleeding chips every session. 
I try to play tight, you know, folding trash hands and only going in with strong ones like pocket pairs or suited connectors. But then, bam! Some dude calls my raise with something like 7-2 offsuit and rivers a straight.
Or I’ll hit top pair on the flop, bet strong, and someone just slow-plays their set and stacks me. It’s like I’m cursed or something!
I’ve watched a few YouTube videos on poker strategy, and I get the basics—position, pot odds, don’t chase bad draws. But in practice, it’s like none of that matters when everyone’s playing like maniacs!
I even tried mixing it up, bluffing a bit more, but then I get called down by some guy who “had a feeling” with third pair. 
I’m not trying to be a pro or anything, just want to have fun and maybe win a few bucks without feeling like I’m throwing money into a black hole.
Anyone got tips for a newbie like me? Should I stick to tighter play, or is it worth trying to out-crazy the crazies? Also, how do you deal with these wild swings? I feel like I’m on a rollercoaster every session. 
Oh, and one more thing—are there any tells or patterns you notice in online poker that I should look out for? Like, I know it’s not like live poker where you can see someone sweating, but maybe there’s something in betting patterns? I’m desperate for any edge here. Thanks, guys!
Just got into poker a couple of months ago, and I swear, every time I think I’ve got a decent hand, I get absolutely crushed! Like, what am I doing wrong here? I’ve been playing mostly online, low-stakes Texas Hold’em, and it feels like I’m bleeding chips every session. I try to play tight, you know, folding trash hands and only going in with strong ones like pocket pairs or suited connectors. But then, bam! Some dude calls my raise with something like 7-2 offsuit and rivers a straight.
Or I’ll hit top pair on the flop, bet strong, and someone just slow-plays their set and stacks me. It’s like I’m cursed or something!I’ve watched a few YouTube videos on poker strategy, and I get the basics—position, pot odds, don’t chase bad draws. But in practice, it’s like none of that matters when everyone’s playing like maniacs!
I even tried mixing it up, bluffing a bit more, but then I get called down by some guy who “had a feeling” with third pair. I’m not trying to be a pro or anything, just want to have fun and maybe win a few bucks without feeling like I’m throwing money into a black hole.
Anyone got tips for a newbie like me? Should I stick to tighter play, or is it worth trying to out-crazy the crazies? Also, how do you deal with these wild swings? I feel like I’m on a rollercoaster every session. Oh, and one more thing—are there any tells or patterns you notice in online poker that I should look out for? Like, I know it’s not like live poker where you can see someone sweating, but maybe there’s something in betting patterns? I’m desperate for any edge here. Thanks, guys!