How did you get started playing poker?

[thedarkman]

We all have our own stories about how we got into the world of poker, whether it was through family, friends, or simply curiosity. I started with friends at a gathering; they introduced me to the wonderful world of poker. Tell me about your experience—how did you get started?

This is a sad tale, for me it was at work. That would have been 1975. I was a county standard chess player so thought if I studied poker theory a bit I could clean up. I was soon disavowed of that notion. Best not to mention what happened next. Not a few chess players have made the same mistake, many of them stronger players than I was.

At that time, hold 'em was unheard of in England. Seven card stud was the only game in town with an occasional game of five card stud.

 

[anasslaaleg]

I first got into poker casually with friends, just small home games for fun. What started as entertainment quickly turned into curiosity I wanted to understand why certain players kept winning. Watching events like the world series of poker made me realize how much strategy and psychology were involved. From there, I began studying the game more seriously, learning the math, reading opponents, and working on staying calm under pressure.

 

[888NOX888]

In my case, everything is trivial, I saw poker in the movies, tried to play on my own, liked the game, and stayed in the game.

 

[dreamer13]

I decided to play because there was a poker boom. I can't remember a day when I didn't play at least one home game for a good period of time, at least two or three years. Then, when all my social circles gave up, a friend and I played online and in local casinos.When I became more interested, if my friends stayed over, we'd stay up until the late-night poker shows started, and I'd end up falling asleep to the sound of chips being shuffled. Cozy memories.

 

[CHESSMAN_KZ]

This game was introduced to me by a friend in 2022, and since then I've been playing it regularly, both online and offline.

 

[R.Holynskyi]

I started playing six years ago, around 2020. It was right in the middle of the coronavirus pandemic. I was spending a lot of time at home, I was bored, and I started playing. If it hadn't been for the pandemic, I probably wouldn't have found the time to play.

 

[wushibala]

I don’t even remember where I first heard about poker, but I started playing online. What really got me hooked was watching a couple of wsop Main Events — back when the championships were held at the Rio casino in Las Vegas. After that I registered on PokerStars and 888poker, and I’ve been playing poker for almost 11 years now.

 

[infonazar]

We all have our own stories about how we got into the world of poker, whether it was through family, friends, or simply curiosity. I started with friends at a gathering; they introduced me to the wonderful world of poker. Tell me about your experience—how did you get started?

I started playing about 14 years ago. I started when I had a lot of free time, so I became interested in the game and the opportunity to earn extra money. Very quickly, I realized that there would be no quick money, but the game really captivated me and became one of my favorite pastimes.

 

[bremp555]

For me it also started very casually, home games with friends at university, micro stakes, more laughs than strategy.

At first, it was just about competition and the social aspect, but over time I became more curious about the strategic depth. I realized it wasn’t just a card game — it was psychology, math, discipline, and emotional control all mixed together. That’s what really pulled me in.

What began as a hobby slowly turned into something much more serious. Studying ranges, reviewing hands, understanding variance - that’s when I saw how deep the game truly is.

And the funny part? Even after years, you’re still learning. That’s what keeps it interesting.

It’s cool how so many poker journeys start around a simple table with friends. Sometimes that’s all it takes to give you something for life.

 

[SPANKYSN]

We all have our own stories about how we got into the world of poker, whether it was through family, friends, or simply curiosity. I started with friends at a gathering; they introduced me to the wonderful world of poker. Tell me about your experience—how did you get started?

I was minding my own business, quietly contemplating life from inside my mother's uterus, when her water broke and she went into labour in the middle of a poker game...I was born with poker in my DNA...my mother taught me the basics, and I learned at university, playing poker instead of going to classes...I'm not sure which is more valuable to me today...my 4 year BA or my poker knowledge.

 

[sibkaz]

First, chess, checkers, and backgammon... Then Dandy, with tanks and Mario, then PlayStation with Lara Croft and adventure games, then computer games... You quickly get through everything and boredom sets in... I tried poker and stopped playing the rest.))

 

[letpic]

Like most people, I started out in a home game with friends, playing for pennies and thinking a pair of Aces was unbeatable

 

[Sschafell]

I was introduced to poker in college through some friends.

 

[DiazPoker3101]

I started playing with friends at a home game, and after several years I began playing online — that’s when I really discovered what poker is all about.

 

[theoxy]

My best friend show , how need to player poker . He show prizepool of freerolls and than i start also playing

 

[Mag_P1e]

It all started when my dad's coworker told him about a $50 registration bonus back in 2011-12. So Dad started playing poker, and I sat behind him, trying to figure out what was happening on the screen—and that's how I slowly learned.

 

[tantianalagi]

Hello all...very happy to join

 

[Snake2007]

I started playing poker after seeing my brother play it. I liked it and learned.

 

[chicbulls2]

i like card games, so it just came

 

[Mazembe]

Through my trading community, I knew nothing about poker, the possibility of understanding and mastering the skill got me hyped, 5 years in now and II don't regret a thing, still have the same hunger and open mindset to learning more

 

[flattershay]

I saw an ad online. It got me curious because I loved playing card games. I startet playing from there and on.

 

[fernandofcp]

I started playing poker with colleagues and never stopped. Then I started playing online and I really liked it. I still play today. It's cool to give to make money.

 

[andron205]

a friend taught

 

[kmiarka]

I actually got dragged into poker by accident - a friend needed a "fourth player" and I thought we were just playing some chill card game.

Next thing I know, I’m googling hand charts at 3 AM and wondering how a "friendly game’" turned into a lifelong hobby.

Funny how the game grabs you… one minute you’re learning the rules, the next minute you’re arguing with the river like it’s a real person, hhaa

 

[WladiYoga]

I watched a show on german television with celebrities who were playing poker against each other and a wild card player who could qualif through GGPoker, and that's how I basically got into it a few months back. In it now every day