I guess most of us if not yet all are now into "real money" games already. (Honestly, I started poker with "play money")
After my straight loses from SNGs, I thought I had to calm down to re-evaluate my game style. So I went back to "fun steps" (of course from
Carbon which is my favorite site) using my play money credit to buyin for the chance of $1.
It didn't mean to me that I'm actually playing to finish all the fun steps to win that $1 BUT to see the cards dealt to me & learn the proper way to play it.
I think there's really something about "warming up" first before the actual game just like those who are in sports. They do stretch legs first, they do shadow bowling, doing basketball free-throws, smashing tennis balls, etc.
And my tip to others now just like what I started doing, warm up first by playing "play money". Spend about 20-25minutes maybe. Just get the feel about your hands, your strategy & your luck on that day. Then after that, go ahead & play "real money" games.
Warm Up With Play Money Before Real!