Poker Variations

grindmylifeaway

grindmylifeaway

Enthusiast
Silver Level
Joined
May 18, 2016
Total posts
26
Chips
0
Will learning all the different variations of poker help or hurt your game? And if so, how and which ones??
 
MemphisGrind

MemphisGrind

Think Bink
Bronze Level
Joined
Apr 12, 2018
Total posts
2,098
Awards
2
Chips
0
Will learning all the different variations of poker help or hurt your game? And if so, how and which ones??

Learning new variations of poker is never a bad idea. However if you want to be really good at one particular area, then I would pick one and specialize in that area. sometimes getting involved in other games is refreshing when you are on a downswing or burnt out. Learning the different variations is fine, but pick one to Master. IMO
 
R

rachelle2291

Legend
Platinum Level
Joined
Jun 30, 2018
Total posts
1,569
Awards
9
Chips
21
I think you must mean will it help or hurt your no limit holdem game? It might help a bit but I think it is fun to learn and play the different variations. I liked it on pokerstars when they had the astronomer freerolls with all the different variations including Badugi. Now they are having a bunch of frerolls of 100 or 200 or 300 dollars but they are all no limit holdem. I wish they would mix it up a bit--it would make things more interesting.
 
eberetta1

eberetta1

Legend
Loyaler
Joined
Aug 11, 2007
Total posts
2,218
Awards
7
US
Chips
162
Well, the worst that can happen is you win money on one variation of poker and lose it all in another variation of poker that you enjoy more.
 
grindmylifeaway

grindmylifeaway

Enthusiast
Silver Level
Joined
May 18, 2016
Total posts
26
Chips
0
I think you must mean will it help or hurt your no limit holdem game? It might help a bit but I think it is fun to learn and play the different variations. I liked it on pokerstars when they had the astronomer freerolls with all the different variations including Badugi. Now they are having a bunch of frerolls of 100 or 200 or 300 dollars but they are all no limit holdem. I wish they would mix it up a bit--it would make things more interesting.

yes thats what I meant. It just seems like with NLH it will be a never ending process of learning and studying (which i dont mind at all) but it seems like the more I read and study the more i realize i need to read and study...I really just dont want to get burnt out but I really dont think I'll ever be equipt enough to say i have mastered NLH enough to switch up my games...
 
grindmylifeaway

grindmylifeaway

Enthusiast
Silver Level
Joined
May 18, 2016
Total posts
26
Chips
0
Well, the worst that can happen is you win money on one variation of poker and lose it all in another variation of poker that you enjoy more.

Yeah I thought about that too - Like dang when/if i ever do feel I have a handle on NLH would I even want to start learning or just keep building on the foundation of what I have learned over the years - def not trying to give all my profits back...
 
grindmylifeaway

grindmylifeaway

Enthusiast
Silver Level
Joined
May 18, 2016
Total posts
26
Chips
0
Learning new variations of poker is never a bad idea. However if you want to be really good at one particular area, then I would pick one and specialize in that area. sometimes getting involved in other games is refreshing when you are on a downswing or burnt out. Learning the different variations is fine, but pick one to Master. IMO

I feel like thats probly the best way to go - But then is there a standard in which you personally realized ok, Ive got the hang of this (besides rising through the limits) was there anything else that let you know personally that you were where you wanted to be as far as "mastering" the game goes??
 
dbchristy

dbchristy

Legend
Silver Level
Joined
Dec 27, 2015
Total posts
1,158
Chips
0
Negreanu says it will help. But I tried to learn Omaha its too hard. I have been playing holdem 14 years and still have a million leaks..LOL
 
MemphisGrind

MemphisGrind

Think Bink
Bronze Level
Joined
Apr 12, 2018
Total posts
2,098
Awards
2
Chips
0
I feel like thats probly the best way to go - But then is there a standard in which you personally realized ok, Ive got the hang of this (besides rising through the limits) was there anything else that let you know personally that you were where you wanted to be as far as "mastering" the game goes??


That's the thing as the saying goes the game can take weeks to learn but a lifetime to Master... For me the realization hit when I realized I was making more money each year than I was putting in. Which is no small feat... especially since I was having to fade MTT downswings (normal for every player) of close to 5-6K a year. Of course I have room to improve in the MTT column to help hopefully hit a score once or twice a year for 30-40K but I'm still in the positive each year for about 10K. (because of cash games mostly) I still wouldn't say I'm even close to "mastering" no limit-texas hold-em and that is why I "mainly" focus there. I still play mixed games. Low limit of course, like with my friends at home games, or get my local casino to spread low limit H.O.R.S.E. cash games, and put study time into those games but my focus is on NL hold'em. IMO you will always be studying all games. Even when you feel like you're at the peak of your game you will still be studying, but as far as venturing out to new games and wondering when you have "mastered" one game to move to the next, like I said above to me it's when I am profitable. I am going to reiterate, even when this happens I don't suggest switching "ALL" your focus on another game but at that point if you are desiring to learn other game variations that would be a good point to focus more energy on other game variations. This is all my opinion and others could feel differently about it.
 
Top 10 Games
Top