Good Resource for Learning (1 Viewer)

domynation

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Hi everyone,

Despite having played poker occasionally for over a year, I still consider myself a beginner. I play with friends about once a month (sometimes twice), and we're finally considering playing with real money (micro stakes, however), so I'm looking to improve my game a bit.

To give you an idea of where I'm at, I've only recently learned about the proper lingo (playing "in position" vs "out of position", gutshot, backdoor draw, c-betting, 3-betting, jamming, etc),. I know a bit about the fundamentals, but my impression is I've only scratched the surface and I'm certain I make a lot of mistake both pre-flop & post-flop. In other words, when I'm playing, most of my decisions are likely not sound, fundamentally speaking, they're more based on feeling/intuition and I'm pretty sure I'm wrong the majority of the time. Additionally, I've heard of GTO, solvers (piosolver), software to analyze your past hands, etc but I've never dabbled with them, so I'm clueless as of how they work.

With that being said, what are your favorite resources (videos, books, websites) to learn and master the fundamentals, and eventually learn more advanced strategies? I'd also be interested in learning about the psychological aspect of the game (assuming such resource exist), things like reading tells, maintaining your composure, not tipping your opponents, etc. I'm more of a visual learner, so I have a strong preference for video resources, but I'm willing to go out of my comfort zone for a good book or blog/website.

Lastly, I'll mention that I searched this forum a bit before posting and found that many people seem to recommend Jonathan Little, some of these posts were from years ago so I figured I'd take a chance and ask if this is still current? I did watch a few of his videos and I liked the format, are there other similar resources out there?

Thank you for taking the time to read this!
 
Hi everyone,

Despite having played poker occasionally for over a year, I still consider myself a beginner. I play with friends about once a month (sometimes twice), and we're finally considering playing with real money (micro stakes, however), so I'm looking to improve my game a bit.

To give you an idea of where I'm at, I've only recently learned about the proper lingo (playing "in position" vs "out of position", gutshot, backdoor draw, c-betting, 3-betting, jamming, etc),. I know a bit about the fundamentals, but my impression is I've only scratched the surface and I'm certain I make a lot of mistake both pre-flop & post-flop. In other words, when I'm playing, most of my decisions are likely not sound, fundamentally speaking, they're more based on feeling/intuition and I'm pretty sure I'm wrong the majority of the time. Additionally, I've heard of GTO, solvers (piosolver), software to analyze your past hands, etc but I've never dabbled with them, so I'm clueless as of how they work.

With that being said, what are your favorite resources (videos, books, websites) to learn and master the fundamentals, and eventually learn more advanced strategies? I'd also be interested in learning about the psychological aspect of the game (assuming such resource exist), things like reading tells, maintaining your composure, not tipping your opponents, etc. I'm more of a visual learner, so I have a strong preference for video resources, but I'm willing to go out of my comfort zone for a good book or blog/website.

Lastly, I'll mention that I searched this forum a bit before posting and found that many people seem to recommend Jonathan Little, some of these posts were from years ago so I figured I'd take a chance and ask if this is still current? I did watch a few of his videos and I liked the format, are there other similar resources out there?

Thank you for taking the time to read this!
Welcome to the site!

I came here for chips, personally. I still ain’t that great at poker. Despite the years of action into the game, I mostly lose at poker. I have always derived joy from poker, so it’s a wash.

Chips bring me more of this joy along with this site, despite the terrible addiction. There are just far worst things to be addicted to.

I really enjoyed “Harrington on Hold Em : Volume1”for learning more about tournament play. When to play position etc etc. Volume 1 definitely touches on things you can do to derive “tells” from your opponent’s and appropriate bet sizing etc etc. quite a lot of amazing tips that helped me go from a casino tourney player always bubbling or missing the final table entirely to winning a few tourneys and consistently make final tables.

Volume 2 is fantastic too. Will help with what to do when you do make that final table. How to play short handed and how to exert yourself once the game gets to the nitty gritty!

Welcome to the forum!
 
helped me go from a casino tourney player always bubbling or missing the final table entirely to winning a few tourneys and consistently make final tables.

And you still consider yourself « ain’t great »? Wait until you see me at a table, you’ll know what not great truly is haha.

On a serious note, thank you for recommending that book, I’ll look it up.
 
Welcome to PCF!

I was in a similar position to you about 10 months ago. Played my first game sometime November 2021 with some friends, played my second one sometime in December, and fell down the rabbit hole pretty quickly.

This is the path I've taken so far, I'll try to break it down a little bit - also, not saying this is the ideal way to learn, just what's worked for me. For reference, I was a losing player at 2NL for about 3-4 months until April, said fuck it, and started really spending time and thinking about the game. Since July I've started becoming a winning (or atleast breakeven) player at 10NL zoom on ACR with a winrate of about 5-6bb/100 over the last 30k hands. I'm still learning a ton, and consider myself a beginner at the game.
  • Starting out: learn terminology - preflop, flop, x/r, 3!, 4!, CO HJ BU, A5ss, A6dx, the nuts, donking etc. Watch entry level poker youtubers- johnathan little, blackrain79. Learn what ranges are, learn WHY you bet.

  • After the basics: start watching YouTube poker vloggers, just to get more exposure to the game. They aren't perfect, or even close to the best, but you can learn a lot from their thought process. Brad Owen, Mariano, and JNandezPoker are the three I watch the most (of live play). I also watch weazel_1991, nick eastwood, and some other as they play online - weazel and nick aren't crushers by any means, but they play in lower stakes (100NL below), so you'll see the kinds of players you'll face for now. Learn the basics of solvers.

  • You should now have a solid understanding of the basics. You can follow hand histories and formulate opinions on why things are good or bad, but maybe you don't know exactly why you feel this way. Start looking into more GTO focused studies. Discuss hand histories in the poker strategy forum of PCF. Check out ZenithPoker, GTOWizard, BluffTheSpot, GuerrilaPoker, etc. youtube channels. Use your 10 daily free hands in GTOWizard trainer. Study a few boards a week, focus on common spots (BU vs BB, CO vs BB, BU vs SB 3BP, etc).
From this point on, you should have a solid understanding of where to move forward, and what you should be studying and learning.
 
I can vouch for Harrington on hold'em too. This was the first book I read back in the day, and I ran $50 up to a 10K. Although it is old school and things may have changed, it still teaches some fundamental stuff.

Welcome to the board.
 
You should now have a solid understanding of the basics. You can follow hand histories and formulate opinions on why things are good or bad, but maybe you don't know exactly why you feel this way. Start looking into more GTO focused studies. Discuss hand histories in the poker strategy forum of PCF. Check out ZenithPoker, GTOWizard, BluffTheSpot, GuerrilaPoker, etc. youtube channels. Use your 10 daily free hands in GTOWizard trainer. Study a few boards a week, focus on common spots (BU vs BB, CO vs BB, BU vs SB 3BP, etc).

First of all, thank you so much for your comprehensive post, this was super helpful. I’m watching some of the vloggers you recommended and I’ve already learned a few things.

I’ve taken a lool at GTO Wizard and this looks like a really good software, but I’m curious if you know of a good mobile app for training/practicing (assuming such an app exists) by any luck? There seem to be a ton on the iOS app store, but it’s hard to tell exactly which ones are good or reliable.
 
First of all, thank you so much for your comprehensive post, this was super helpful. I’m watching some of the vloggers you recommended and I’ve already learned a few things.

I’ve taken a lool at GTO Wizard and this looks like a really good software, but I’m curious if you know of a good mobile app for training/practicing (assuming such an app exists) by any luck? There seem to be a ton on the iOS app store, but it’s hard to tell exactly which ones are good or reliable.
Don't know anything mobile - I only study on my computer
 
As you are a beginner, I would encourage you to find a better game to learn than the one you ambiguously assume. Google omaha, live life in the light.
 

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