Do you ever feel like you’re stuck at the same level in poker?

Been thinking about this lately. You put in the hours, watch content, review hands… but somehow your results don’t really change. It’s frustrating.
I’m starting to think the biggest leaks aren’t always technical they’re mental. Autopiloting, playing tired, forcing volume instead of focusing on quality decisions.
Maybe improving isn’t about learning more, but about applying what you already know more consistently.
How do you guys break through plateaus in your game?

Yes, but better to stay at a low level and win fairly consistently than move up and lose.

I always rely only on my luck: either I'll be lucky and win, or I'll be unlucky and lose))

anasslaaleg said:

Been thinking about this lately. You put in the hours, watch content, review hands… but somehow your results don’t really change. It’s frustrating.
I’m starting to think the biggest leaks aren’t always technical they’re mental. Autopiloting, playing tired, forcing volume instead of focusing on quality decisions.
Maybe improving isn’t about learning more, but about applying what you already know more consistently.
How do you guys break through plateaus in your game?

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Yes! I have had this on a number of occasions. The thing is, you only know what you know and there is only so much you can learn and properly digest from watching content, or even following an online coaching course.

My suggestion is (if you can afford it) hire a coach for a database review and highlight your biggest leaks. Or find another player of a similar level, preferably slightly higher that you can work with as each other's study buddy. Just having a different set of eyes review your play will almost certainly help find areas for improvement.

Matt_Burns88 said:

Yes! I have had this on a number of occasions. The thing is, you only know what you know and there is only so much you can learn and properly digest from watching content, or even following an online coaching course.

My suggestion is (if you can afford it) hire a coach for a database review and highlight your biggest leaks. Or find another player of a similar level, preferably slightly higher that you can work with as each other's study buddy. Just having a different set of eyes review your play will almost certainly help find areas for improvement.

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This is so true. At some point, consuming more content isn’t the answer you hit a ceiling with what you can learn on your own.
Sometimes all it takes is a fresh set of eyes. A coach or even a solid study partner can spot leaks you didn’t even know you had.
Poker can be a solo grind, but improvement doesn’t have to be. The right feedback can change everything.

I didn't have plateaus in my game. When I started I was up then later down, up, down, up, down, up... If you get the drift. I didn't read books, watch contents, or review hands... just got to it & grinded live poker. "Learned" the old-fashion way by "getting the feet wet" & recognizing, adapting, adjusting to the table dynamics & results that come along. I was winning some tournaments just in my first few months (so I don't really believe in studying books. I don't understand them then but understand them now based on experience). It is not constant in a random game so later on I kept loosing & loosing then win some & loose some... you get the drift.

In my experience I'll just say to keep playing a lot & start "learning" the game. I would dare say that its a combination of many things & if you can recognize, adapt & adjust then perhaps you would not be stuck in a plateau but instead go up & down which is normal because of luck. Perhaps your problem is that you're not "learning". You do what others tell you in books or contents literally but not actually "learning" the game so you're stuck on loosing.

You will find your way, just keep looking... & playing. Lots of freerolls in Cardschat & you will "learn" a lot.

I think my current plateau is more technical than anything else.
I’ve been playing a lot of Rush, so decisions are very fast and I end up going on autopilot without noticing. It helps with volume, but I don’t feel like I’m actually improving.
I’m starting to think I need to slow down a bit and pay more attention to details, even if it means playing fewer hands.

burro said:

I’m starting to think I need to slow down a bit and pay more attention to details, even if it means playing fewer hands.

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I agree. If you trying to understand anything, you cannot rush. Understanding details is key. Slow down even if means giving more time.

Yes... I think this is my maximum of time that I wish use for online poker. I'm getting no better. Now I play much less time online, I use my experience last almost 20 years and I try to enjoy NL HoldEm and Omaha games.

Yes i feel like i`m stuck most of the time..

For me it was mental game 100%. I thought I was stuck skill-wise, but in reality I was just inconsistent… playing A-game one day and C-game the next. Once I started quitting sessions earlier when tilted or tired, my results and confidence improved a lot. Sometimes it’s not about getting better, it’s about removing the bad sessions that cancel out your good ones

Man, this is something I need to do but I lack the time.
Reviewing hands is a habit I need to acquire to be able to level up.
On the other hand, I agree with the colleague who commented below, I feel more comfortable staying at a low level and maintaining consistency than leveling up and having losses that hurt my budget.
GL🤙🏼

thedarkman said:

Yes, but better to stay at a low level and win fairly consistently than move up and lose.

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Friend, this is something I need to do but I lack the time.
Reviewing hands is a habit I need to acquire in order to level up. On the other hand, I agree with you, I feel more comfortable staying at a low level and maintaining consistency than leveling up and having losses that hurt my budget.

Last years i have his feeling , but I can do nothing more to fix this , at least not now , maybe in the future , cause nowadays I have less time free . I tried again and again and yet results weren't coming . Patience is not unlimited .

anasslaaleg said:

Been thinking about this lately. You put in the hours, watch content, review hands… but somehow your results don’t really change. It’s frustrating.
I’m starting to think the biggest leaks aren’t always technical they’re mental. Autopiloting, playing tired, forcing volume instead of focusing on quality decisions.
Maybe improving isn’t about learning more, but about applying what you already know more consistently.
How do you guys break through plateaus in your game?

Click to expand...

The only two prominent factors which discriminate average and world class players are Discipline & Patience!

Currently, I don't feel stagnant, but I feel like I've regressed. After changing jobs, I barely have time to play poker; it feels like I'm forgetting how to play.

anasslaaleg said:

Been thinking about this lately. You put in the hours, watch content, review hands… but somehow your results don’t really change. It’s frustrating.
I’m starting to think the biggest leaks aren’t always technical they’re mental. Autopiloting, playing tired, forcing volume instead of focusing on quality decisions.
Maybe improving isn’t about learning more, but about applying what you already know more consistently.
How do you guys break through plateaus in your game?

Click to expand...

This is a really solid observation — and honestly, most players hit this exact point at some stage.

You’re right that it’s often not a “knowledge” problem. A lot of players already know enough to beat their stakes, but the issue is **inconsistent execution**.

A few things that usually help break that plateau:

**1. Reduce autopilot (this is huge)**
Instead of grinding volume, try shorter sessions where you’re fully focused. Even 1–2 high-quality sessions > 5 autopilot ones.

**2. Identify 1–2 specific leaks (not 10)**
A lot of players try to fix everything at once. I've been guilty of this in the past.

Better approach:
→ “This week I’m focusing only on defending blinds properly”. (This is actually what I'm focusing on right now and my results have changed dramatically)
→ or “I’m fixing my short stack decisions”

That kind of focus actually translates into results.

**3. Review *decision-making*, not just outcomes**
Instead of “did I win/lose the hand,” ask:
- Did I have a clear plan?
- Did I understand villain’s range?
- Would I make the same decision again?

**4. Mental game = decision quality**
Things like playing tired, tilted, or forcing volume quietly destroy winrate.

Even small changes like:
- Stopping when focus drops
- Taking short breaks
- Playing fewer tables

can have a big impact.

I like how you put it:
> “It’s about applying what you already know”

That’s exactly it.

Most improvements at this stage come from tightening up execution, not adding more complexity.

Out of curiosity — what’s one spot you *know* you’re getting wrong repeatedly? Those are usually the easiest leaks to fix once you isolate them.

Yes, definitely, for many years, in fact. But I can’t deny that I don’t dedicate myself much to studying, so I can’t complain.

Going backwards at the moment. Can't believe some of the outdraws I've been sufering.