Hi everyone, I would like to receive some advices about the process of becoming a solid player. I've been watching a lot of videos and trying to use what I've learned in my sessions. I have a very good understand of hand strengths, bet sizes, position and all the other begginers stuff. But sometimes I feell really overwhelmed during the play. It seems that I can never remember how the last hand developed, the best I can do is to tag the player (tight/loose/passive/aggressive). I just feel that it's not enough, it's almost impossible to read hands well when I can't remember how my opponents played them. I make a really strong effort to think out loud about my decisions, but a lot of times I just don't know what to do or in the late game I stop making conscious decisions. It just feels that there are so many things to be paying attention at the same time, so many things to improve, that I can't pay attention to any of them. If someone has been through this kind of feelings, or has any advices related to this sort of things, please speak up. Thanks everyone
I think the feelings of overwhelm are very common to aspiring players trying to integrate concepts they've studied. Sometimes I feel flustered during a match and wonder whether or not I've really extracted benefit from the videos I've watched. There is an inherent limitation with videos in that they can't encapsulate every unique scenario you'll encounter while playing. Plus, we all have our own unique, distinct way of seeing and perceiving things. The way I integrate concepts and apply them will be vastly different from another player as my interpretation is filtered through my own organized structures of knowledge (i.e. schema). That being said, I think it's useful to have a basic outline you can refer in case you feel lost in certain matches. If you're playing low or microstakes, you might benefit from taking a few index cards and writing down basic player types and their tendencies. Cog Dissonance has a great video on the four basic player types (as well as a video on focusing). Primordial also tackles this topic in one of his HUSNG from scratch series. I used index cards to write down the four main player types as it reinforced the basic player tendencies and helps me re-orient myself when I feel lost. Also, I try to slow down a match that is confusing to me, close the chat, and open my notes. I try to write down important details that I can use to my advantage later in the current match or for a future match. I'm very interested in specific behavioral patterns such as 'ck raised dry flops three times in a row at 10/20,' '3 bets light, 'possibly bets odd amounts like 89 when trying to appear strong and 80 when he is strong.' If you play at Pstars, you can always open the hand history and watch key hands in the replayer--I try to do this at an opportune time as when I have 23 or J2o in the SB and I'm going to muck anyway. If you feel pressed for time, you can always move to reg speed games where you can make more liberal use of the time bank. Then I can time down and see how certain hands developed-at least on Pstars. These observations don't require much subjective interpretation and simply help define my opponent and see if they line up with my four major classifications. I think it's important not too become paralyzed by overthinking some opponents and their behaviors.Also, consider crafting an environment that helps you focus on playing your best. A quiet, comfortable environment without distractions (noisy family members, cell phones, Iphones, entertainment systems, etc.) is ideal. I'd make sure you play when you feel mentally alert and aren't hungry or thirsty. Furthermore, I think it's a recipe for disaster to play when you're faced with challenges in other areas of your life that could interefere with focusing on your game.My final point has to do with receiving feedback on your play. We are often the worst judges of our own poker performance. You joined HUSNG because you didn't have the answers. Watching videos is only one pillar of improving your game. I think it's critical to receive feedback from other players, especially ones who might have something intelligent to contribute. Perhaps, if you can afford it, you might consider doing a hand history review as a cost effective means of finding some obvious problems with your game. I'd find a match where you completely felt lost. Some coaches have reasonable rates that are affordable for even those with modest incomes or bankrolls. I might recommend Rypac as he did my first review and it was highly useful and quickly identified serious deficiencies in my game. If you have more resources you can have a coach evaluate your live play and perhaps do a 'leakfinder review.' Whether you use a coach or not, I would recommend hooking up with fellow HUSNG'ers who are trying to improve their games through interaction. Several players are forming a 'study group.' We can discuss hand histories, talk strategy, make videos of ourselves playing for exchange, have sweat sessions, etc. There is no cost for this alternative. Of course, there are drawbacks to this approach and students should be aware of their peers limitations. If you're interested, go to the HUSNG message boards and find the relevant thread. I wish you the best success in your quest to improve your poker game.Take care,Jeffrey
+1 @ Jeffrey
Thanks a lot, very good information. Exactly the kind of things Im looking for
with regards to not being able to remember how villian played his hand only 2 hands ago. i had the same problem, but after putting in volume and thinking a lot in term of ranges i've begun to get better at it so don't worry there is still hope