Poker is relatively easy to learn but difficult to master. It’s also a game that attracts passionate followers, which means the general standards of poker tend to be pretty high. And with more than 100 million players across the globe, that means there aren’t too many spaces where newcomers can feel their way towards improvement.
Happily, poker players of all levels have a range of options at their disposal that will help them to significantly improve their performance at the table relatively quickly. Let’s take a look at a few of the most effective methods for putting yourself on the fast track towards success.
Find Your Optimal Conditions
There’s no single right way to play poker; there’s only your way. Taking the time to find your preferred way of playing can do wonders for your performance since it’ll put you in a more relaxed and confident state.
So, what kind of optimal conditions are we talking about? First, learn what your preferred variant of poker is. Just because most people play Texas Hold’em, that doesn’t mean that’s the one you should be playing. Omaha Hi, Omaha Hi-Lo, or 7-Card Stud might be the ones that make the most sense for you.
Beyond that, optimal playing experience is about figuring out what works for you. For example, do you play better when you’re playing online in relaxed clothing, or do you prefer a more formal environment? Even if you do sometimes tip into non-optimal conditions, it’s worth knowing in which scenario you excel.
Immerse Yourself in the World
As we said at the beginning of the article, there are a lot of poker players out there — and since this is a game that induces passion, you have to assume that everyone you play against is just as determined to improve their gameplay as you are. They’ll be reading poker forums, watching relevant YouTube channels, and keeping up with the latest goings on at the professional level. And you should be too. Immersing yourself in the world is an effective way to subtly elevate your performance since over time you’ll naturally pick up tips, tricks, and hints that make you a better player.
Challenge Yourself
You can continually play poker against the same friends and family members if you like, but you’re unlikely to improve if you take that approach. We get better at most things, and especially poker, when we’re forced to dig deep and perform at our highest level, and that won’t happen if we play against the same 4 – 5 players.
You’ll get much better at poker if you play against a variety of opposition. The online poker world, which is where most players play, is a good way to easily test yourself against a variety of players. Over time, you’ll find that you’re ready to tackle in-person tournaments, which offer a whole other level of challenge. Entering these tournaments can be difficult, but the Power Path initiative from PokerStars provides a way for online players to grab a seat at the table of some of the most prestigious live events. Whether or not you win the tournament, it’s likely that just through playing you’ll be able to significantly improve your overall poker gameplay.
Improve Overall Mental Function
Some people are great at poker, but only for a very short period of time. While playing good poker for ten minutes is better than never playing well at all, it’s not all that effective when you’re planning to settle in for a night at the real-life or virtual poker table.
Many players, especially new players, struggle to play well for long periods due to poor concentration and focus. These are two attributes that you can easily improve with a little time and effort — meditation, for example, has been shown to improve focus.
Figure Out Your Weak Points
Finally, an easy way to improve your poker performance is to figure out your weak points, and then work on tightening them up. By reviewing your past performance, you might find that you’re making the same mistakes over and over. Remove them from your gameplay, and you’ll quickly find that you’re playing better.