Does playing against better players make you a better player?

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GreatLeslie

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Like in sports such as Tennis and Football, usually when playing against better opponents you can become better because you're learning from the stronger opposition and learning to play against tough situations. In poker does this also apply? Does playing against tough opponents make you a better player? or does it make you more prone to losing money and putting yourself in bad situations?
 
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SamBush

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In a nutshell yes. You will learn off of them, you will know what works and what doesn't against them too.

PLaying against fish although profitable it isn't ever going to improve your game.
 
Carl Trooper

Carl Trooper

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Sort of. The gap can't be unreasonable though. Getting into the ring with Tyson will get you KO'd every round.

I forget the term as its been years since ive been in school, but something like a.... idk I can't explain the word I want. Basically if you are a 8 in football, a 6 may be able to bridge that gap and eventually get to an 8.

But you can't throw a 3 with an 8, as he will never get better. the 3 has to go with a 5, then once hes a 5 he can go with the 7s. That sort of thing.
 
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hffjd2000

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In a way, yes.

It might be costly playing them, but in the long run, you will improve and level them up.

Just like in chess. If an amateur plays a master everyday say blitz play. The amateur will become strong day after day.
 
Bee

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Yes, I am. Im new in poker world. I'm learning every day. Now boldly I play, I can recognize a bluff. As in all good training is very important.
 
TeUnit

TeUnit

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yes, but money makes you taller when you sit on your wallet

think its good to play better players to learn and then practice good table selection to improve your roi
 
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LukeSilver

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from experience its a bit more complicated then a simple yes or no response. a generic basic answer is yes but you have to consider a few things.

firstly you have to actually be spotting and realizing what the decent players are doing to you and other players.You have to be switched on paying attention and thinking why did they do that?

if you read a basic pattern like copy ABC what they do it wont end well. you need to adapt it to the circumstances and understand the reasons why. This brings me onto the next point, in tougher games players make more sophisticated plays, and bluffs. against some fishier players these bluffs will never work as the fish cant fold, further they may not recognize you slow playing try to look weak and might take a more passive line.

the risk of learning from better players is you suffer from fancy play syndrome and try to use it against players that won't think on that level and you lose more or win less then you should.

if applied right yes it works, and will improve your game, I found some of the regs in my game recently started exploiting a certain tenancy of mine so I will adapt and have a rock paper scissors war love those.

Now I can spot players that have the same tenancy I did and use that same method against them it would work. I have learned from how decent players exploit me to make my game less exploitable and learn how to do that to others that have that same potential leak.

However playing that way against the average player is usually a leak not a strength.

If you sat down at a $2000 NL table I doubt it would be much utility as the play will be beyond you, and most of the moves will be above your head. However if you play the next level up from where you currently play you will find the regs at that level have found leaks in regs from your level jumping up and you will be able to spot that with the right attention and do that to the regs from your level.

always remember though keep a track on regs many times i have come up with ways to exploit them and been happily enjoying it until they pound my ass for it at a later point. regs very often can and will spot how you have adapted and re adapt to you.

its usually a case of rock paper scissors against regs.

but basically my post summed up yes playing better players will improve your game if you can review things honestly understand and apply it but remember to keep it relevant.
 
Marcwantstowin

Marcwantstowin

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Like in sports such as Tennis and Football, usually when playing against better opponents you can become better because you're learning from the stronger opposition and learning to play against tough situations. In poker does this also apply? Does playing against tough opponents make you a better player? or does it make you more prone to losing money and putting yourself in bad situations?


Hi Leslie. I would say the better way to learn is to discuss things with better players, rather than lose money to them. In this forum you have the opportunity to do this. If you have a BR like a bottomless pit then have a go at a higher level, but this won't happen overnight and as has been said the regulars at that level will just adjust to you. Gl with your progression and remember there are some great players on this forum who will happily help you out..........:D:D:D
 
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cotta777

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Absolutely if in a live game your always watching and listening the only problem is, their aren't many good live players in low buy in casino poker compared to high stake online.

You should toughen up playing 6max games at a reasonable online level. I use to lock horns at 100-200 like once a week If I had the disposable outside my BR just one tabling as if I'm at the casino playing 1-2 your 3 bet 4bet game will come on alot
 
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benspocket

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well when I play against better players I will lean things that I mite not have known so I guess u can say playing against better players will make you a better player but as always it doesn`t come overnite takes time and patience
 
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thatgreekdude

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Yes, like anything in life, in poker you can see how good players play certain hands and certain scenarios, there was a guy back when I played 2NL on william hill who just crushed the whole table, I studied his hands and his range for weeks and copied it and applied it to my own game.
 
rogerdelpk

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In my opinion in open face chinesse poker yes, because you can see the cards and the way the other guy is playing and you can learn from him, but in holdem or omaha when you dont see the other oponents hand, NO!
 
veltins

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yes ,definitely . the more better Players you Play the more you learn n get better yourself. of course it will be expensive to Play them . but again if do Keep on copyin them n their style i m sure u ll be ok. gll at the table
 
Ducbim

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In general the more you play against better opponents the better the player you will be, because you can learn a lot from their playing style such as their 3-bet pattern or bet size. The problem here is how much money are you willing to lose to learn from them. Losing money is painful and it not easy to learn something from your opponent by just playing few hands with them. Personally I just feel it is more relaxing hunting fish :)
 
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Zin

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For me when playing higher stakes my focus is at 100%, all my gadgets are turned off, paying attention is key. And yes playing against so called better players will make you a better player.
 
VizziVizo

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Play against Fish or against a pro can give you invaluable experience. But more often than playing against a pro you will lose to play with them as equals should try to do it. In poker, there are no players that you will be able to beat easily. Each of these may ask you bashing, the same can fishs Catch you on the bad-beat
 
shanest

shanest

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Can be an expensive learning curve though
 
ccocco

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it all depends on what you learn is good to play against good players when you have some experience in poker because Might learn a lot from these guys but if you're a beginner will surely run out of money. lol
 
rytciaq

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Of course it does, this rule applies to every game, whether it's sports game or cards game.
 
WeenieSVK

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Ofcourse it does. But you have to be prepared that probably you will not be profitable at beginning. Better players do much less mistakes and thats why you are profitable in long run - your right decisions AND cause of mistakes of other players.
 
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mads2206

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ofcourse it would make you better :) did you qualify for something big?
 
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onekaydeep

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We are who we hang out with, or in this case, who we play against.
 
vinylspiros

vinylspiros

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probably not. But you will definitely lose more faster.
 
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Randy Guys

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t will increase your risk taking capability only. Actually, you will lose your money faster if you do that.
 
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