Strategies for improving

Hi guys,

This is gonna be an interesting post. I just got the "Gus Hansen - Every Hand Revealed" book and I'm enjoying it. The thing is I'm about to start a month of practicing poker and see if it can be a way of life. My opinion is that I need to surround myself with poker completely, so that my brain can get constant input. The brain is a machine that soaks in information and finds patterns, and all of us know that younger people learn faster than older cause the brain is more efficient at its functions the less damaged (aged) it is.
So to improve, surround yourself with poker, but what aspects? Id say maybe consistently watch the poker after dark videos. Play some freerolls or small poker tournaments and try to focus on everything that's happening.. and read some books sure. But what about the moments when I'm tired? Ok, during those boredom moments maybe poker after dark is a good choice, but there has to be a better option. I know that a lot of people have started making poker groups and practically live together in the efforts of learning about the game and bettering themselves, but seeing as I won't go to those lengths, what do you guys think as viable options? Remember, this is all about finding ways to surround yourself with pokers influence and ideas. What are some good fun things someone can do when he is tired of poker THAT IS RELATED TO POKER LOL?

I have a bit of a different view on this. I don't think it's a good idea to completely surround yourself with poker. I think it's much better to have a few other hobbies, preferably one or two that are more active than poker. It is obv important to spend a lot of time thinking about the game and reading books and talking to other players. I think, however, that you'll do better to focus on poker for a while then take a break and do something else that's not poker related. I think you'll learn faster by having focused periods of study instead of trying to be thinking poker 24/7.

BomTombadil said:

I have a bit of a different view on this. I don't think it's a good idea to completely surround yourself with poker. I think it's much better to have a few other hobbies, preferably one or two that are more active than poker. It is obv important to spend a lot of time thinking about the game and reading books and talking to other players. I think, however, that you'll do better to focus on poker for a while then take a break and do something else that's not poker related. I think you'll learn faster by having focused periods of study instead of trying to be thinking poker 24/7.

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+1. Having other hobbies, activities, and I guess a "life" in general is crucial. If your ONLY focus is on poker, when things don't go your way or you are in a downswing, it will really hit you hard because it is all you have.

I've also found that the best way to learn is to play - plain and simple. I've read books and watched poker on TV trying to pick up a few things, and while it can be helpful, I was ignorant to what was happening until I was caught in the situation myself. Unfortunately, the best way you are going to learn is to lose...a lot. Losing is the only real way you will think back and reflect on what happened and how/if it could have been played differently. The more you lose, the more you will learn to reflect, and soon it will become such a habit that you will be examining even your WINNING hands to determine if you could have made more money or if you played incorrectly but got bailed out by luck.

Great players aren't great because they won all the time. Think of losing as an opportunity to strengthen a weakness that was exposed.

Yes IMO you have to have balance in all you do as well as in your life...but the naked truth is as said before the best means of learning is by doing...this means playing as many quality sessions during which playing as many hands as possible...but having healthy outlets outside of poker is crucial for ultimate success...good luck

TV poker and Gus's book have a lot of "metagame" going on.
The tactics/strategies you see in those depend on the other players knowing you and your tendencies.
Entertaining to be sure, but does not apply to beginning player IMHO....

Try looking for videos on microstakes poker and look for books like: http://www.blackrain79.com/p/book.html

If you are ROW, get money on pokerstars and try 2NL.
Reading/studying is ok but until you play some, it really doesn't click.

And as others said, balance in life is important!

i think if u get bored u should take a break and do something else. or maybe just do some studyin on your own plays. if u overload ur brain u can get burnt and poker mite not be so fun anymore.

That thought just some kind of training camp.May be its good for improving.But human brain has its own charactar.I think just do it like that poker is one kind of sports.

i dont think most people think like gus or have a brain like gus, total emersion would be probably be difficult for most peeps

world class poker players tend to have obsessive compulsive traits,
they go to extreme lengths to ensure they play and learn the game,

the average person can't just lock themelves away learn poker 18 hours a day and become world class, and expect to make lots of money

you need to be intelligent, extremely focused, capable of playing your A game for
8 hours a day and capable of switching off and taking variance on the chin.
have great understanding of money management, also a profitable fold is a large part of your poker bankroll, without knowing when to fold in a cash game a good player will often break even

most players that aim to become world beaters, end up running off criying to there friends on how they keep getting bad beats or just aren't lucky enough.

that is usually down to a lack of inteligence or understanding of math in poker

try to read some of the articles in CC strategy articles, and you will be on good start
quiete a few good infos there