Is 40 too old to start?

Dogfish44 · Aug 3, 2009

I'm not really what you'd call a seasoned veteran, in fact I only started playing poker in May! And only went online to play for real cash in June!!!But watching as many games as I can on TV, I see players with 8 years experience under their belt at the tender age of 24, or under!!

Have I really missed the gravy train or is 40 too old to START playing poker?

Mortis · Aug 3, 2009

Of course not! It's not like you're trying out for a sports team or anything

Kenzie 96 · Aug 3, 2009

As best I can recall, 40 is a bit old for The Tellatubbies, unless of course you are from California. That's about it. Have fun.

Sharesol · Aug 3, 2009

Absolutely not, just be prepared to study study study. I believe its easier to get into when your younger just for the fact that you have been in school (college or HS) and are more likely to study and grasp concepts from literature. However please don't think that I'm saying an old dog cant learn new tricks (I'm 22 so I think I know everything and anyone over 30 is an old dog to me

). You can definitely learn!

The PoolBoy · Aug 3, 2009

EZ Kenzie...u trying to keep winkie all 4 yerself? 40 is fine to begin your adventue into poker i think. After all its mostly patience and thats supposed to get better with age?? Good luck just keep open mind and read poker books alot!!!

c9h13no3 · Aug 3, 2009

Do 40 year olds hate money?

eagle jim · Aug 3, 2009

You are 8 years younger than I was before I started....it can be a lot of fun...but put in a ton of hands somewhere (micro's not freerolls). I would be glad to help if I can. And btw welcome to CC......the awesomest place for poker on the web!!!

SydTheCat · Aug 3, 2009

I didn't get serious about poker til I was 40. I knew how to play 5 card draw and stud, but never even heard of Holdem til I watched Moneymaker win the '03 wsop on espn. I've been hooked since. I've read books, and watched every poker show on TV to learn what I could. Good luck.

ukaliks · Aug 3, 2009

ur never too old to b playin poker. Hell doyle brunson is lyk 70 summit and in this years WSOP i think the oldest player was 93!!!

All i can say is that if u put time n dedication into learning the game then u can make sum money off it. Jus dont expect to making big bucks in ur first yr or two. In these first years ur gonna b reloading ur bankroll and learning from ur mistakes.

Go play in a a tourney at a casino for a small buy-in and jus enjoy the game and have fun!

Hope this helps

tpb221 · Aug 3, 2009

Dogfish44 said:
But watching as many games as I can on TV,

No you are not to old. I didn't play serious poker until I was over 40. Played some in my younger days but nothing like I do now.

Just a note-watching how they play on TV is not a good way to learn poker. Go to the strategy section were there is tons of info to learn from.

Best of luck.

jolietdusty · Aug 3, 2009

SydTheCat said:
I didn't get serious about poker til I was 40. I knew how to play 5 card draw and stud, but never even heard of Holdem til I watched Moneymaker win the '03 WSOP on espn. I've been hooked since. I've read books, and watched every poker show on TV to learn what I could. Good luck.

I was also 40 when i started to play and also learned about the game of Holdem from TV. First off it is definately not to old. Second don't try to learn the game from TV you will be broke fast. I would however say that you must first be playing because you love the game or you will go nutz trying to learn and get better. Second don't over do it with higher buy-ins or sticking alot of money in at first get your feet wet see what you think then move foward from there. Good luck.

arahel_jazz · Aug 3, 2009

I wish I was 40... again...
Hell, I think 50 is not too old to start anything! Well, maybe not trying to date 25-year-olds....

StormRaven · Aug 4, 2009

Dogfish44 said:
I'm not really what you'd call a seasoned veteran, in fact I only started playing poker in May! And only went online to play for real cash in June!!!But watching as many games as I can on TV, I see players with 8 years experience under their belt at the tender age of 24, or under!!

Have I really missed the gravy train or is 40 too old to START playing poker?

Welcome to cc and please feel free to ask any questions as there are a lot of people here that are willing to help. I've received a ton of help myself and 40 is knocking on my door soon. Just think, in 10 years you're going to be a seasoned pro looking back on this and laughing! Have fun and check out many of the helpful articles here to help you get started.

davidshoval · Aug 4, 2009

It is not too old because my father started at 41 and he realy enjoy from it so do what you want to do. GL.

Lazmansa · Aug 4, 2009

I started at 35 and have only been playing online for about 7months ,definatly not too old.( i am 36 now )

i started playing on the very small cash games and have learnt a lot since my online play.just play with in your means and dont let you emotions affect your choices.(i am still playing the small buyins)

good luck mate.CC has helped my play so u in good hands.

Lazmansa

Jefe Grandoso · Aug 4, 2009

What's 40 gotta do with it?

Dogfish44 said:
I'm not really what you'd call a seasoned veteran, in fact I only started playing poker in May! And only went online to play for real cash in June!!!But watching as many games as I can on TV, I see players with 8 years experience under their belt at the tender age of 24, or under!!

Have I really missed the gravy train or is 40 too old to START playing poker?

I played in my first real world in person tournament when I was around that age, so the simple answer is, "Nope!" You learn the game, and sharpen your skills. You can take down your share of the prize money.

Welcome to world of poker and hope to see you on the felt soon.

Cheers!

DuaneK · Aug 4, 2009

I started playing on line 7 years ago. Am nearly 72 now. Only problem I have is much longer than 2 hrs. I lose my concentration.
DuaneK

BelgoSuisse · Aug 4, 2009

I think it depends on your background.

If you're an engineer who has played a lot of chess, go, backgammon and bridge before, switching to poker at 40 should be a piece of cake.

If you've always hated math and never played one of the above games before, there will be a lot of rewiring to be done in your brain in order for you to become good, and brain plasticity does decrease with age. So while it's always a nice hobby to start, your chances of becoming really good are pretty slim, imo.

RogueRivered · Aug 4, 2009

You may never get to be world class starting at 40, but you should be able to be profitable at some level. Top level chess players start to lose some of their stamina or endurance or mental capacity (or something) by age 40, but there are a few that maintain their strong play even older than that. I was a tournament chess player for many years, and now at age 45, I don't think I could ever reach my previous level of play. My brain just doesn't want to work that hard. But I am enjoying learning and studying poker at this advanced age!

On a related note, I've discovered that studying poker books is easier for me than chess books. I think they must be easier to write, too, although at least with chess nowadays you can run all the variations through a computer to make sure you don't miss anything. There's certainly no shortage of chess or poker books coming out all the time.

Egon Towst · Aug 4, 2009

Sharesol said:
I believe its easier to get into when your younger just for the fact that you have been in school (college or HS) and are more likely to study and grasp concepts from literature.

Not necessarily. Surely you have heard of mature students ?

I was nearly 36 when I achieved the most recent of my degrees. I passed out top of my year group and the University invited me back the following year to deliver a talk to the next intake (nearly all younger than me) about the secrets of my success with the course.

Not a brag, just a little reminder that some older people might actually be sharper than some of the youngsters. Never judge a book by its cover.

Igeso · Aug 4, 2009

If you're talented, you won't need year to beat the 24year old players with 8 years experience. Good luck to you at the poker tables

bigdog111 · Aug 4, 2009

Of coarse not! I ask you this, how old were you when you started messing with a computer? And now look at were your at with that skill, you've found how to get to the web, and play games! :joyman:

AtiFCOD · Aug 4, 2009

Dogfish44 said:
I'm not really what you'd call a seasoned veteran, in fact I only started playing poker in May! And only went online to play for real cash in June!!!But watching as many games as I can on TV, I see players with 8 years experience under their belt at the tender age of 24, or under!!

Have I really missed the gravy train or is 40 too old to START playing poker?

Noway!
I started playing poker 5 months ago and I'm 32.

I think it needs about a year to become a good player, so you have a lot of time.
I just advise you to start it in small rooms, not just in PS and FT.

beardyian · Aug 4, 2009

Definately not - why let the kids have all the fun

kybcat · Aug 4, 2009

40 old

Age dont mean nothing in poker, unless you are getting ready to have a heart attack.

Is 40 too old to start?

Dogfish44

Rock Star

Mortis

Bulls On Parade!

Kenzie 96

Legend

Sharesol

Rock Star

The PoolBoy

Legend

c9h13no3

Is drawing with AK

eagle jim

Visionary

SydTheCat

Rock Star

ukaliks

Legend

tpb221

Chasing Gutshots

jolietdusty

Enthusiast

arahel_jazz

Unbalanced and Committed

StormRaven

Cardschat Elite

davidshoval

Enthusiast

Lazmansa

Visionary

Jefe Grandoso

Enthusiast

DuaneK

Rock Star

BelgoSuisse

Legend

RogueRivered

Visionary

Egon Towst

Cardschat Elite

Igeso

Enthusiast

bigdog111

Rock Star

AtiFCOD

Legend

beardyian

Scary Clown

kybcat

Rock Star

About CardsChat

Our Community

Our Site