Improving Equals Winning

In manufacturing, continual improvement and refinement of a process are keys to being successful over the long-run. Companies that strive to innovate in order to get ahead typically soar, while those stuck in stagnation fall by the wayside. Believe it or not, the scene is the exact same in poker. Players who constantly stay on the cutting edge of poker and seek out the maximum amount of information possible are the ones who you’ll find, time after time again, in the winner’s circle. So how on Earth do you stay ahead of your foes in poker? We’ve got you covered!

First, make a habit of reading an online poker forum every day. Think of them like your own personal newspapers. The latest trends, news, and opponents’ interests will be given to you front and center. Try to notice common themes. Are posters constantly asking about three betting? Do many of the responses involve slow-playing? Identifying the pulse of the industry is your best chance to stay ahead of the curve. Visit sites like PocketFives.com and TwoPlusTwo.com every single day. You don’t have to read hundreds of posts; rather, just check out a few that interest you and then move onto the next task.

Second, read a book. There are a multitude of worthwhile poker titles. If you search popular online retailer Amazon.com for the term “poker strategy,” over 700 results are returned. Make sure to check out Doyle Brunson’s “Super System,” “Harrington on Hold’em” by Dan Harrington, and Mike Caro’s “Book of Poker Tells.” Other winners include “The Theory of Poker” by David Sklansky, “Kill Phil” by Lee Nelson and Blair Rodman, and “Phil Gordon’s Little Green Book.” None of these will break your bankroll to buy. More importantly, they won’t bore you to death, either. These are some of the hallmark books you’ll find on the shelves of successful poker players around the world. Aim to read one per month or one every other month.

Third, play different games. Don’t get stuck in a rut of just playing $1/$2 No Limit Hold’em online. Vary your routine by moving up and down in stakes. Try playing on Pokerstars or Full Tilt Poker they’re the most popular rooms, so they have a large selection of tables at the different limits available all the time. Are you able to adjust your game accordingly? Also, be sure to try out other types of poker. If you’re primarily a Texas Hold’em player, then scope out Omaha or Stud. You can even try your hand at Badyeaugi, an up and coming card game. If you’re constantly playing the same game at the same stakes, then you’re not going to improve. Instead, you’ll end up becoming the top $2/$4 Limit Hold’em player in the world and not the best poker player on the planet.

Fourth, talk to your opponents. In other sports, this doesn’t happen. You don’t often see the New York Giants coaching staff talking with their counterparts on the Dallas Cowboys about strategy. It would be wholly against the spirit of the game. In poker, however, discussing strategy with your opponents is quite commonplace. Internet forums make their livelihoods off of it. Make a friend and talk to them about their approach to the game. Learn how they improve, walk through hand histories together, and maybe even play heads-up against them online. With the internet, anything is possible.

Finally, join a training site. There are a bevy of choices out there such as CardRunners, PokerXFactor, StoxPoker, and Real Poker Training. All of them focus on different aspects of the game. Some are geared towards tournaments, whereas others specialize in cash games. Some boast instruction in Omaha, some stick to Hold’em. Some of them charge a sign-up fee and others don’t. Joining a training site doesn’t mean that you’re an inferior poker player looking for guidance. Instead, it’s an opportunity to have your own coach as well as a place to submit questions and seek feedback. It’s like your own poker club. The monthly memberships are well worth it.