i think the best way to pick up NL holdem is watching the WSOP. i picked up the game after watching the 2004 wsop. it teachs you the rules quickly and the basic strategies, however, i think that is also the worst way. it has taken me over 2 1/2 years to truly understand how to play NL holdem, ive learned mostly from wsop and from watchin people play especially my older brother. i think its better to watch in real life other people play. even though you may not be able to see their cards, you see certain situations and how to play em. just reading a few of Daniel N's poker journals has taught me stuff.

Even the best dont win em all. when you dont gotem, foldem, or say the 3 magical words, "I'm All-in" :spadesa:

banana

Actually, I like the fact that most people get most their poker knowledge from TV. They think that poker is constant action and play too many hands and overplay them.

The TV is the best way to learn the rules of no limit Texas Hold'em no doubt. But as to how to play it well, that is not so obvious.

People all too quickly forget that on TV you usually only see a very small number of players playing the last number of hands, and with the biggest blinds. You can't play in a nine player table at 10-20 blinds the same way you play in a six player table at 10,000 - 20,000 blinds and people don't seem to ever think about that.

I think you can still learn from watching Poker on TV, just make sure you consider the conditions. A moderate hand that is played in a 3 player scenario is far less playable at a nine player match, and you can tell who isn't realizing this. They don't think about the value of kickers or play rags because they are suited.