Improving As A Player

Hey guys, very nice to see you all. I am new to this site.

I have been playing since October, and generally just messing around on poker sites trying to improve. I feel as if I have improve greatly since then. I watch a lot of poker on TV as well.

Anyway, I said for the first few months I'd practice on freerolls (even though they are bad for ultimate practice, right?) for a few months. I've came in the top 100 a few times etc.

Last night I finished 8th on the Hubble Freeroll on Pokerstars, out of 9000 I think...tonight I busted on the bubble on two full tilt poker freerolls for the million pound tourney.

Anyway, how can I improve further as a player as I want to take this more seriously and have recently been giving it more time dedication. Is there books I should read, must read articles on line? Academies I could join online?

Would you say that those three results show I can play just a tiny bit to explore more? Or just a fluke and could happen to anyone because they are freerolls?

Thank you guys and girls...:P

Welcome, I am new to this forum as well, but I have long since burned myself out playing internet poker, winning and losing thousands of dollars. Some short words of advice: NOTHING is a substitute for experience, not Pokerstove, not PT3, not railing Patrick Antonius, nothing. Play, play, play. Also, save and review your hand histories frequently. There is no better way to identify holes in your game. And remember to play AT YOUR LEVEL until you can either afford to move up or you feel you need to play against a better quality player. Don't lie to yourself, be totally honest with yourself; avoid saying things like, "He's been raising my blinds like crazy, I had to take a stand w/QJ" or "I didn't think he had the A, so I had to shove." I'm just babbling now. Good luck at the tables, and welcome to cardschat.

Poker is such a long term game and just 3 good results does not prove anything. You are falling into the trap that has engulfed many a poker player, moving up too fast when one is not prepared. Just chillax a little at the current level and imo, the best way to learn and further your knowledge is to read the forums, watch videos and ultimately, play more.

You have already started getting better. Just reading stuff on this forum can help you tremendously.

TV...not that good.
Books...Very Good!
Read books and apply strategies in your game and you'll start improving.

firstly,welcome to cc forum,i believe everyone will start poker thourgh playing the freeroll match,you come from ireland,and is there special freeroll match for your country in ft (i do not remember),you do good at the freeroll,i think the next you should reand some airtile about the beginner,such the basic strategy about the texholdem,remember it is the "basic",after you have familiar the basic strategy,you can consider playing the small buy in ring game or the tourny.

Exactly tv is edited and you only see big hands or bad beats and things along those lines. Don't use too much from what you see in tv in your game.

play play play and stay ture to your game

You can be one of those experts. One thing you have to do is to be resourceful of everything. As with my case, personally i didn't always go for a real play. If you really want to learn, you need to watch live tournament on videos or on television. Pokerstars.com is the only site i know that gives a television broadcast of a real table play.

Play, play and play some more! The Harrington books would be a good place to start; also try smaller "private forum" freerolls and sit and go's.

Try full tilt poker academy. They have great videos about bank roll management, strategy on different games, (sit&go, cash games, tournaments)
pre-flop play, value bets.. you name it.

I've only read Doyle's super system book. And well practice all you can, that's the key to improve as well as getting as much info. you can get.