What is the best way to continue learning and why?

[Luvepoker]

This may sound a little strange, but I am very biased on this one. If I were talking to this type of person who wanted to become better I would send them to CardsChat.

The reason I would do this we here have an opportunity to help each other. We're community of players some are very new and broad and just learning the game but there are also some players who may be very advanced players. I would suggest to this type of person to ask questions and even ask specific members that they respect might be willing to actually help answer a question or two and give them advice. At one time in my poker career I was in your situation where I couldn't do a lot of stuff paid wise what was part of poker school online and became part of a private group within it. How much I've learned in a year and a half span being part of a group like that just asking questions listening to good players talk to good players on hand histories and even just watching each other play and giving each other advice. When I was part of that group I was the weakest link but we also had some very good players who had won which states poker tour championships. What would allow a person in this type of situation to ask questions is they're all so helpful players. How many times are we asked what are they thinking why did they do that well that was how I helped describe it group. We all start from the beginning but we really don't remember what we were thinking of doing when we first started because we're working on trying to become a better player. Once we come a proficient player we start the question why people do things and how they play so we can beat them. This is how good players can even learn from the bad players.

 

[Martin]

Most poker courses are constructed logically. They take a pupil from A to B, and in the end the pupil has acquired some amount of skills.

It's like going to driving school. You know enough to be dangerous, but you are a master of none.

If we exclude all those overpriced, monthly charged, membership sites, the problem is that there is no obvious logical next step to take. The pupil is left on his own to survive.

What is the best way to continue learning so the pupil can build on the foundation he already has? And why do you think that?

Thanks to @Nafor for the topic idea!

 

[Goggelheimer]

I think there is no best way to learn something, including poker.
This is because not all people learn the way from A -> B -> C and so on.
One way, perhaps the only one, after the basics (some hand ranges(this includes position play), some betting types and Flop, or Turn and River strategies) is disusing hands and their run outs.
The other options are mental stability, tilt reducing and so on.
There are many topics that can improve the own game, at a certain level(buy ins, volume of play and some others), professional coaches may be a way.
Professional coaches for professional players, like in other competitive areas (NBA, NFL, Soccer, Tennis, Chess, and so many more).

 

[IRINA70]

When you face the problem of a near-zero or minus game, the question arises - what kind of things do other players know and use against you at the table, that their stack is bigger and they end up taking higher places than you?
It is clear how to play when a good card comes and you, by definition, playing top cards, become a favorite at your table. But this does not always happen and players go to different tricks in relation to each other to take chips / money from the opponent, understanding his weaknesses and leaks in the game.
Training after the basic fundamentals just gives this understanding - what types of opponents play how and what strategies are the most profitable against them. What are the mathematical expectations from the use of this or that line of play on the preflop and postflop ..
Books, courses or a personal trainer can tell you this.
But from what the student learns as information to its successful application (profit in the game) some time must pass in which the student works on his game independently, step by step applying in practice those nuances that he learned. Along the way, acquiring a better vision of the situation at the table and the opponents you are dealing with.
That is, neither books, nor courses, nor a coach will make you a player who tears up world series tournaments like a dog, but your constant and meticulous work on your game with the information support of external resources.

 

[Matt_Burns88]

Great question!

Once you have a solid foundation of understanding, for me, the next step is to review your database and identify leaks in your game. That's half the battle. Most people don't know where they need to improve, so they are either studying the wrong things, or just don't bother studying again. Once you've highlighted your leaks, you can then look for content specific to that topic and really drill into that specific part of the game tree.
My other suggestion is peer review. If you can find a study buddy of a similar level, you can work with them and challenge each others ideas, which forces you to think about spots at an even deeper level.

 

[millya5]

I completely agree from point A to point B . I think to prevent this from happening, you need a worthy teacher .

Although there are exceptions, self-taught people achieve good results

 

[Suns of Beaches]

On YouTube there are various known long time winning players sharing strategies for free. I would subscribe and watch some one of them. Then I would read the comments section for more discussion about the topic/content.

 

[pentazepam]

Self-Analysis and Review

After learning the basics, it’s crucial to go beyond rote memorization of strategies and start understanding the underlying concepts that drive decision-making in poker. This level of introspection helps you:

Recognize both positive and negative patterns in your play, such as frequent mistakes in certain situations or areas where you excel.

Reflecting on your decisions helps you understand why you made certain plays, which in turn clarifies your thought process and allows you to adjust and refine your strategies.

Regularly reviewing your database will reveal consistent leaks, such as playing too many hands out of position or failing to value bet effectively.

Once identified, you can work on specific leaks by focusing on those areas in future sessions and reviewing them to track improvement.


Mental Game and Tilt Control

Poker is as much a psychological game as it is a strategic one.

As you face tougher competition, the mental aspects of the game - like tilt control, emotional resilience, and focus - become increasingly important.

Players who master their mental game gain a significant edge, as they can maintain optimal decision-making even under pressure.

Mastering your mental game and learning to manage tilt is an ongoing process that evolves as you grow as a player.

By combining self-awareness with practical techniques, you can maintain focus, make better decisions, and ultimately achieve greater success in poker.



Bonus Tip (as it can be expensive and not for everyone).

Finding a Coach

As you progress, a coach can accelerate your learning by providing personalized feedback, pointing out leaks that you might not notice on your own, and offering advanced insights that are difficult to glean from self-study alone.

A coach tailors their advice to your specific style and level of play, offering targeted strategies that address your unique challenges.

A coach can provide a structured learning path that builds on your existing knowledge, helping you advance more efficiently.

Having a coach can keep you accountable, ensuring that you stick to your learning plan and continuously strive for improvement.

 

[Gritz18]

What is the best way to continue learning so the pupil can build on the foundation he already has? And why do you think that?

Many years ago, I attended a poker school at pokerstars. There, I learned all the basics to become a good player. They had great videos with tournament reviews explained by teachers hired by Pokerstars.

But over the years, I saw that some of the things I learned at the time had changed or been improved, so I believe that poker is a constant learning experience for those who want to become professionals, which is not my case.

So, in my opinion, poker is like any other profession. You can't stop studying, because new things are always emerging. And if you stop studying, you certainly won't get positive results as often.

 

[Huntre]

make learning process fun and question why is dissapear, because everyone loves fun.

 

[martDdart]

Play a lot of poker and find a way to play that you enjoy reason: if you are bored when you play you will finally quit playing and then you will not improve your game making mistakes and learning from them.

 

[A kiravio]

I have not studied any kind of course for over 15 years, I just look among you, I feel honored and grateful. I think that the accumulated learning base Implemented and increased attention to anything that stands out despite what you know makes you reflect and adapt.
I think you can always (and should) learn from anything,

 

[Suns of Beaches]

Self-Analysis and Review

After learning the basics, it’s crucial to go beyond rote memorization of strategies and start understanding the underlying concepts that drive decision-making in poker. This level of introspection helps you:

Recognize both positive and negative patterns in your play, such as frequent mistakes in certain situations or areas where you excel.

Reflecting on your decisions helps you understand why you made certain plays, which in turn clarifies your thought process and allows you to adjust and refine your strategies.

Regularly reviewing your database will reveal consistent leaks, such as playing too many hands out of position or failing to value bet effectively.

Once identified, you can work on specific leaks by focusing on those areas in future sessions and reviewing them to track improvement.


Mental Game and Tilt Control

Poker is as much a psychological game as it is a strategic one.

As you face tougher competition, the mental aspects of the game - like tilt control, emotional resilience, and focus - become increasingly important.

Players who master their mental game gain a significant edge, as they can maintain optimal decision-making even under pressure.

Mastering your mental game and learning to manage tilt is an ongoing process that evolves as you grow as a player.

By combining self-awareness with practical techniques, you can maintain focus, make better decisions, and ultimately achieve greater success in poker.



Bonus Tip (as it can be expensive and not for everyone).

Finding a Coach

As you progress, a coach can accelerate your learning by providing personalized feedback, pointing out leaks that you might not notice on your own, and offering advanced insights that are difficult to glean from self-study alone.

A coach tailors their advice to your specific style and level of play, offering targeted strategies that address your unique challenges.

A coach can provide a structured learning path that builds on your existing knowledge, helping you advance more efficiently.

Having a coach can keep you accountable, ensuring that you stick to your learning plan and continuously strive for improvement.

Where did u copy-paste that from?😄

 

[Luvepoker]

This may sound a little strange, but I am very biased on this one. If I were talking to this type of person who wanted to become better I would send them to CardsChat.

The reason I would do this we here have an opportunity to help each other. We're community of players some are very new and broad and just learning the game but there are also some players who may be very advanced players. I would suggest to this type of person to ask questions and even ask specific members that they respect might be willing to actually help answer a question or two and give them advice. At one time in my poker career I was in your situation where I couldn't do a lot of stuff paid wise what was part of poker school online and became part of a private group within it. How much I've learned in a year and a half span being part of a group like that just asking questions listening to good players talk to good players on hand histories and even just watching each other play and giving each other advice. When I was part of that group I was the weakest link but we also had some very good players who had won which states poker tour championships. What would allow a person in this type of situation to ask questions is they're all so helpful players. How many times are we asked what are they thinking why did they do that well that was how I helped describe it group. We all start from the beginning but we really don't remember what we were thinking of doing when we first started because we're working on trying to become a better player. Once we come a proficient player we start the question why people do things and how they play so we can beat them. This is how good players can even learn from the bad players.

 

[christovam]

The increasingly competitive poker job market means that players need to look for ways to stand out and achieve better games, bigger prizes, and success in their learning. Becoming a poker expert is now one of the surest ways to make a name for yourself.

However, this process requires a lot of dedication, study, and constant personal investment in your education. If you don't invest in yourself, you may end up being left behind, as an initial course is no longer sufficient to stand out from the crowd, as the race for the same opportunities is increasing.

 

[najisami]

What is the best way to continue learning so the pupil can build on the foundation he already has? And why do you think that?

If we exclude the costly material available out there, then we're left with the free stuff.
In my opinion, many YouTube content creators offer very interesting instructive videos, free and helpful for anyone interested in studying.

However, two things are definitely a must in order to build on one's foundation, analysis and experience.

1-Experience is self-explanatory, just play the maximum possible.
2- Off the felt, a serious player should always go back to certain key hands he had played, whatever their outcome has been, analyze their progression and figure how his actions and decisions could've been better or worse.

 

[seiya1989]

Practice is the only thing that makes us better at anything. So I would play as many hands as I could to keep evolving, having a knowledge base is a good start, but maybe you'll discover new things on your own from so much playing and playing.

 

[hobojim1247]

I have kept my continuing education of poker very simple. I keep a poker instruction book in my bathroom and read it. I find a ten minute read covering one is better for learning than an hour long read covering 10 topics . Over the last 15 years I have read Dan Harringtons Series from around 2005 plus his 2014 update. Currently I am reading one of Jonathon Littles books. I have probably read each book at least 5 times which may seem like a lot but each time I read a topic again I learn something new. I also am a member of Jonathon Little's PokerCoaching Site. I like the hand quizzes. I also like the hand analysis discussions.
While this method has worked for me, I think any method that you can learn from will work.

 

[10gerka]

The best way to continue learning and improving in poker is that you have to see this game as a passion, then study a lot and then practice a lot, be persistent and not always think about the result, rather focus on your game and give always the best of himself every day.

 

[puzzlefish]

Once something is learned, it needs to be applied consciously. In poker it's especially easy to just revert to old bad habits, become scared money, and get tilted so all the skills go out the window. A student needs to recognize spots where a particular skill applies and execute the skill. Then, the student can evaluate how well that skill works over many repetitions and, with results tracking, can correlate their efforts to their profit graphs.

From this point I see two options: one is to work with a solver and see if there are spots that the student is not understanding and needing more work, and the other is to watch other players play and learn by example. Either way, the common theme is that the student has to become an ambassador for their own learning.

 

[dreamer13]

Poker is an incredibly complex game at first glance. It takes a lifetime to master, and there is always more to learn. So, to be truly good at poker, it takes time, effort, and persistence.oker is a game of skill. Like any skill, you get better with practice. However, just playing poker for years will not make you a better player. You also need to work on your theory outside the tables and fix your leaks.Watch poker strategy videos actively. Videos are a simple and fun way to easily grasp poker concepts, but if you really want to get the most out of them, it's not enough to just passively consume the content.It is better and more effective to approach this as online learning.Hand review is the best exercise to improve your poker skills. One of the most effective ways to quickly improve your poker skills is to study hand histories.First of all, there is no better way to learn than through direct experience.The more you think about different concepts when working away from the tables, the more likely you are to use them in game situations as well.Keep a poker journal to track your progress.

 

[Pokerpoet2]

For me playing the game is the best way to keep learning, Just like Driving becomes 2nd nature after a while, Poker is a game that can be akin to Riding a bike, You never forget. Sure there are ways to improve your game play, Reading Books, Watching Videos, but Practice makes Perfect, Because many people believe that Poker evolves you have to keep playing in order to evolve with it.
I think the biggest problem for most is Learning to control your losses, I never enter a game thinking I am going to win, because before you sit down at a Poker Table you know nothing about your opponents, unless you are constantly playing with them (Friends etc) So Caution is the best approach until you get a read on a player.
The fee I pay to enter a game is basically the ticket price, just like going to a Football Match or to a Night Club or Cinema, If it is too high I will give the game a miss, But if I can afford to lose that money, Where's the problem? Controlling what you lose is by far more important than what you can win.
Winning is in the Future, It hasn't happened yet. The buy-in is in the Past and It's already gone. So don't confuse the two.
Practice, Practice and More Practice, but keep it real. Keep it affordable.

 

[YLAN]

The way I have continued learning is by actively analyzing big hands in games. Understanding the situations & tendencies that lead to a win or lose then adjusting strategies if it happens often. Grinding as much hands as possible provides more opportunities of understanding the game.

I think that because experience is the best teacher. It's like driving, you get better through practice.

 

[CRStals]

The best way to continue learning poker has to be a balance of play, analysis, and studying. One cannot improve at poker by doing one or two of these things alone - but in combination of studying, playing and putting skills learned in studying, and then analysing the play after to then identify areas of focus in studying, one can gradually improve and plug their leaks

 

[bablovod]

You probably need to constantly deal with hand history, but it's too time-consuming