What helped you become a better player? (1 Viewer)

[Enigma]

Hi Everyone

I was wondering about some of the methods used to improve your poker game

For me, I found reading books and playing against a wide range of styles/different opponents beneficial to improving my all-round poker ability

What helped take your game to the next level?

Playing fewer hands, Playing position more, or something else?

Look forward to hearing what helped your game.

 

[grebe]

Sadly, playing online. I have been confined to mostly online play the past 15 years or so, and live games are easy in comparison.

 

[MrBoosh]

When I started really playing a lot back in the early 2000's I found that reading lots of books seemed to help me grow. I would read any poker book I could get my hands on back then. I also played a lot of online poker. Mostly multi table tournaments and single table sit n go's. I didn't play as many cash games back then. I thought tournaments were cool because that's what you would see on TV a bunch. Playing a ton of hands online I'm sure was helpful to put into practice what I was reading. Now there is so much helpful content online on sites like PCF or YouTube or a million other places. Talking through hands with my roommates who also were really into poker back then also helped I'm sure.

 

[Jimulacrum]

Playing a lot of different variants has improved my game immeasurably. Having to reassess what makes a hand strong or weak, what lines to take and why, and other game concepts can help you get better even at the games you're not actively thinking about.

 

[BEANO52]

#1 for me was experience & time at the tables.

When I first got "serious" with poker, reading. I got Low Limit Hold 'em by Lee Jones specifically and although it is so basic today, I'll tell you, in the late 90s it was a game changer.

I think there can be alot learned from some basic hand analysis from alot of YouTube videos. I also started a few years ago paying very close attention to my stats VPIP, PFR, 3BET, CB etc. Made a big difference.

 

[tabletalker7]

When I was first learning I got one of these

And I started writing down was hands I won with and what hands I lost with. It taught me that I was overvaluing hands like A-10, K-J, and Q-J.

 

[Josh Kifer]

The Course helped alot, as it got me to think of the game a little differently. Good book

 

[shorticus]

Studying, playing online, discussing theories and plays with friends, playing against multiple strategies, and lastly, spending a lot of time in the PCF strategy thread.

While sometimes, it can get kinda crazy, that thread is very helpful when in hearing other peoples views/evaluation of hands.

Also, one other effective method is the equity calculator. When you’re in certain positions (especially when you’re unfamiliar), running the equities really help you figure out if you are making good plays (from purely a mathematical perspective). This is especially helpful for me with PLO, where I’m still learning about about equity.

 

[Cliff]

Drink moar, works every time

 

[allforcharity]

Playing with better players.

 

[Jimulacrum]

When I was first learning I got one of these

View attachment 964419
And I started writing down was hands I won with and what hands I lost with. It taught me that I was overvaluing hands like A-10, K-J, and Q-J.

Actually, this reminds me of an underrated way of practicing at poker for free.

Hoyle Casino. This:

For a long time, I had basically no money to play poker, no internet access, and only a computer full of improperly acquired software that included this gem. Hoyle Casino includes a bunch of different poker variants that you can play in both a cash format and a shootout tourney format, all in both limit and no-limit betting structures. Variants are Hold'em, Omaha, Omaha 8, Stud, Razz, Stud High-Low (no qualifier!), 5 Card Draw, and 5 Card Draw Lowball (A-5).

The AI play like the loosest, most thoughtless players you've ever sat with, they only min bet/raise in NL, and the interface is awkward in places (e.g., when you select a raise amount, it's the amount you're increasing it by, not the total bet). The tournament structures are also weird; rounds 1 and 2 are a fixed number of hands with the top 2 players continuing at the end, and round 3 plays like a freezeout. Round 3's structure is a little crazy.

All that said, it was countless hours of free practice at some common games and others that are hard to find anywhere, and it taught me to pay close attention to all kinds of details that you often take for granted in a formal cardroom setting. It was especially good for learning limit poker, and excellent training for loose games where most of the players are just throwing a party.

A million years ago, before I had ever played poker for money or had a strategy discussion, this game showed me that I should treat the rotating blinds as an expense I was eating to wait around for good hands. I know this sounds super-basic, and it is, but this was in the '90s when I was basically a kid and no one had heard of poker books except people who wrote them.

 

[TheDogg]

If you're trying to learn without spending money I recommend playing free tournaments on something like PokerStars or Replay Poker. The cash games are gonna be crap cause people will just be shoving with their worthless free money, but if you make it past the first 1/2 or so of people in one of the larger tournaments, everybody left will be playing seriously and you can improve your skills.

 

[xdukeluvax]

I mostly play home games so things like studying GTO didnt do a whole lot for me so my whole game is basically exploits not having to worry much about balancing so taking notes on my mistakes vs certain players and taking notes on what to change in specific spots helped me a lot.

 

[Seeking Alpha Social Club]

Drink moar, works every time

@Cliff 's my hero. I've been using that strategy for years.

 

[LaBestiole]

If you're trying to learn without spending money I recommend playing free tournaments on something like PokerStars or Replay Poker. The cash games are gonna be crap cause people will just be shoving with their worthless free money, but if you make it past the first 1/2 or so of people in one of the larger tournaments, everybody left will be playing seriously and you can improve your skills.

Not sure. Late tourney is very short stacked, so not that much interesting if you wanna learn the game. Honestly, put a small amount and go play cash 0.01/0.02 i.e. the lowest limit. Be disciplined (do not climb up stakes to chase losses or whatever), you’re there to make good sound moves, not to make money obv.
If you can beat nl2, you’re already a decent player.

 

[Erich Wise]

Hi Everyone

I was wondering about some of the methods used to improve your poker game

For me, I found reading books and playing against a wide range of styles/different opponents beneficial to improving my all-round poker ability

What helped take your game to the next level?

Playing fewer hands, Playing position more, or something else?

Look forward to hearing what helped your game.

Any specific books you found to be the most helpful?

 

[LeLe]

Reading books and watching video will help you to understand how to play poker and in depth detail like how to put people in certain range etc

Adjust according to the players you are playing with and not basing just on theory

Record and review interesting hand / spot that you encounter during play

You properly need to spend as much time (if not much more) reviewing / studying as you are playing if you want to improve.

 

[Enigma]

Reading books and watching video will help you to understand how to play poker and in depth detail like how to put people in certain range etc

Adjust according to the players you are playing with and not basing just on theory

Record and review interesting hand / spot that you encounter during play

You properly need to spend as much time (if not much more) reviewing / studying as you are playing if you want to improve.

I Agree!

 

[Enigma]

Any specific books you found to be the most helpful?

Harrington on hold'em was the first book that really helped me understand the game at a higher level, definitely would recommend it!

 

[Rhodeman77]

Play every hand, no matter the bet size or position. How else are you going to realize your equity!

 

[Chris Flynn]

About 5-6 years ago got invited to business networking group that included a three table NLHE tournament. For the first year or so was like a fish for the game so decided to study the game - Doyle Brunson and Dan Harrington books along with getting to know the guys at the game. Would begin to talk strategy with those who I thought were some of the better players in the group and found that they loved to help people who had a genuine interest in learning and improving their game. Also, found Andrew Neeme on YouTube and loved his videos that included hand analysis. Tried to become a student of the game. Have since become a pretty respected player in that group. Thoroughly enjoy the intellectual puzzle and social outlet that the game provides.

 

[JustinInMN]

Actually, this reminds me of an underrated way of practicing at poker for free.

Hoyle Casino. This:

View attachment 965075

For a long time, I had basically no money to play poker, no internet access, and only a computer full of improperly acquired software that included this gem. Hoyle Casino includes a bunch of different poker variants that you can play in both a cash format and a shootout tourney format, all in both limit and no-limit betting structures. Variants are Hold'em, Omaha, Omaha 8, Stud, Razz, Stud High-Low (no qualifier!), 5 Card Draw, and 5 Card Draw Lowball (A-5).

The AI play like the loosest, most thoughtless players you've ever sat with, they only min bet/raise in NL, and the interface is awkward in places (e.g., when you select a raise amount, it's the amount you're increasing it by, not the total bet). The tournament structures are also weird; rounds 1 and 2 are a fixed number of hands with the top 2 players continuing at the end, and round 3 plays like a freezeout. Round 3's structure is a little crazy.

All that said, it was countless hours of free practice at some common games and others that are hard to find anywhere, and it taught me to pay close attention to all kinds of details that you often take for granted in a formal cardroom setting. It was especially good for learning limit poker, and excellent training for loose games where most of the players are just throwing a party.

A million years ago, before I had ever played poker for money or had a strategy discussion, this game showed me that I should treat the rotating blinds as an expense I was eating to wait around for good hands. I know this sounds super-basic, and it is, but this was in the '90s when I was basically a kid and no one had heard of poker books except people who wrote them.

I totally had this game. I also had this one.

 

[TheDogg]

Not sure. Late tourney is very short stacked, so not that much interesting if you wanna learn the game. Honestly, put a small amount and go play cash 0.01/0.02 i.e. the lowest limit. Be disciplined (do not climb up stakes to chase losses or whatever), you’re there to make good sound moves, not to make money obv.
If you can beat nl2, you’re already a decent player.

It's not that short stacked. A lot of places that have live tourneys to drive traffic have insane blind schedules to get the tourney done and people into more profitable (and tipping) games, but online tourneys are generally reasonably paced and you can play some poker on a 30 blind stack.

More importantly, saves you from the questionable legality and slightly shady deposit methods in most states if that's something you're uncomfortable with compared to starting with .01/.02.

 

[LaBestiole]

It's not that short stacked. A lot of places that have live tourneys to drive traffic have insane blind schedules to get the tourney done and people into more profitable (and tipping) games, but online tourneys are generally reasonably paced and you can play some poker on a 30 blind stack.

More importantly, saves you from the questionable legality and slightly shady deposit methods in most states if that's something you're uncomfortable with compared to starting with .01/.02.

Agree about the legality. We don't have this problem in Europe ^^
Well 30bb depth isn't what i would call strategically interesting, but hey, imma cash player u know x)

Harrington books are a bit outdated, no? Even for introduction purpose, maybe go for Peter Clarke books or something? Matthew Janda's application of NLHE is a classic, bit old but more "modern" than Harrington i think.

 

[TheDogg]

Agree about the legality. We don't have this problem in Europe ^^
Well 30bb depth isn't what i would call strategically interesting, but hey, imma cash player u know x)

Harrington books are a bit outdated, no? Even for introduction purpose, maybe go for Peter Clarke books or something? Matthew Janda's application of NLHE is a classic, bit old but more "modern" than Harrington i think.

Haha I love pressing the shove button and scaring the elderly so the shorter the better.
Being strategically simpler can help learning a bit as well though.

The book I recommend most would be:

Modern Poker Theory: Building an unbeatable strategy based on GTO principles Paperback – August 6, 2019​

by Michael Acevedo

Or as I call it "the Avocado book"

 

[Erich Wise]

I totally had this game. I also had this one.

View attachment 970103

alright, dumb question, is this worth getting for kids or noobs? or strictly a joke.

 

[Machine]

Really Hard Knocks

 

[LaBestiole]

alright, dumb question, is this worth getting for kids or noobs? or strictly a joke.

Depends how you do value your time and your objective. I would rather pay some bucks on a modern tool like gtowizard or equivalent, that allows you to train against the machine, with instant feedback, aside from a whole learning package.
I mean, sure, you can have fun with the ol’ game you’re mentioning, but will you really learn anything?

 

[Highli99]

I improved once I started playing with @Cliff

 

[Easylife]

I found some books useful some not so much. ones I still go back to are winning poker tournaments one hand at a time vol I & II just cause they get me thinking. Best thing though was the first pub game I started playing in, most of the players were new to the game then but we have played together across many different venues over the years and a lot of them got into it seriously, between them they have taken down a lot of casino tournaments since the early days yet we all still play pub games and home games, a few of them even started to play full time and some even coach now. And we all talked about poker and hands a lot, and I mean a lot. I got super lucky with this group though, lots of other places I've played the regs are awful and advice they give is laughable. Look for a game with good players and get involved in the discussions.