Learning Methods and the Importance of Learning
There are no such things as “not talented for learning” or a person with a “bad memory,” there are only inappropriate and/or appropriate methods. Anyone can master good learning methods and effortlessly process large amounts of information, learn methods to remember 100 unrelated items in sequence, and recall all of it without any difficulty, just by applying the right methods. However, more about memory in other parts. [If you are interested in mastering memory, I highly recommend Tony Buzan]
Although everything may seem simple, in poker, most players do not study at all, and the majority of those who do study, do so without understanding and without any learning methods or systems.
Learning Methods
- Read poker books; read the same thing several times, then repeat.
- Discuss the strategies you have read about.
- Watch poker videos of educational material.
- Discuss hands (analyze).
- Participate in learning programs.
- Use analysis programs such as PokerTracker, Holdem Manager, PokerStove, etc.
- Analyze your strategy and gameplay.
During learning, it is essential to set long-term goals and consider long-term results, without giving much importance to short-term results.
It is important to try to learn at least a little every day.
-> Theory -> Practice -> Result ->
(Closed Loop)
These things are related and greatly influence each other. You must improve your skills in all areas. You must develop theoretically, practically, and control your results.
Learning poker is a complex process; you cannot learn to play poker well just by playing, and you cannot learn to play well by studying only theoretically. Practice, theory, analysis, etc., must be combined.
Brief Overview of Methods:
Reading:
While reading, note down the main ideas, thoughts, and comments. It is best to rewrite the main ideas and statements, then make summaries.
Repeat, read the same texts, articles, etc., again. Such actions greatly help to assimilate the educational material and help it to be retained in long-term memory.
Also, repeating the material and constant learning helps to avoid one of the biggest mistakes of beginners – misunderstanding.
Pay special attention to the analysis of situations (hand quizzes). It is important not just to make the right decision in poker, but to understand why it is right, its weaknesses, and strengths.
Try to learn every day. How best to assimilate information?
Discuss Poker Strategies:
Active discussions about poker game strategies (about your and others' games) are a very good way to consolidate theoretical knowledge, as well as to notice your mistakes and improve your game.
Develop a habit of constantly discussing poker and analyzing your and others' games. The most important thing is not to be afraid to be critical and self-critical, never be afraid to ask or express your opinion (position).
Never take someone else's opinion as a fact. Just because they explain how to play doesn't mean they know how to play well or that it is the “correct” decision.
PokerioMokykla.com recommends:
Our poker forum: Poker Forum
The largest global poker forum: two plus two
Discuss Poker Hands:
Participate in discussions about poker hands, express your thoughts and opinions. Submit your hands for analysis and discussion by other players. When participating in discussions, be sure to comment in an argued and substantiated manner (e.g., “poorly played” – this is not a comment).
Participation in Training Programs:
Actively participate, observe, follow training programs, think in advance about questions for the trainers, set priorities on what to pay the most attention to, e.g., “how the trainer plays top pair with a low kicker from position against two loose opponents.” Never play yourself when participating in training programs.
Use poker tools for hand analysis, probability calculations, etc.
Know how to apply ratios, poker math probabilities.
Important:
You do not gain knowledge just by playing. You gain knowledge only by analyzing your and others' games.
When learning, it is very important to create a good atmosphere. Another very important thing is that you must ignore your winnings. The goal of learning is not to increase short-term winnings; the goal of learning is long-term winnings (long-term period).
2 Learning Methods (Exercises):
Self-training (self-management) – is one of the best learning methods. Play several tables and analyze yourself out loud. It is best to record the sound and video. While playing, explain your actions, decisions, and their motives (why am I playing this way? why did I do this?). This method is very often used in sports psychology.
Mutual training – the essence of the method is the same as the first one, but there is also a live listener. It is important that you do not teach the listener, but simply explain your moves and decisions to them.
The most important thing is to constantly analyze your game.
