Do you think experience matters more than study?

Nesehorn156 · Apr 30, 2026

Some players rely heavily on experience and intuition, while others focus more on studying theory.

Both seem important, but I’m not sure which matters more long term.

Do you think experience or study has had a bigger impact on your game?

Emerson2697 · Apr 30, 2026

Experience... because we may know the head-butt theory, but only experience will make us adapt it to each different type of opponent

steve01991 · Apr 30, 2026

i think experience matters more. knowing the odds of victory, the opponents you are playing and the hand strength you have gives you the advantage over studying all the angles to victory

marco198121 · Apr 30, 2026

One thing that education doesn't teach is how to deal with emotions, and with time you'll get used to handling absurd situations better. You can be sure of that when you sit at a table or tournament. You'll see some absurd things happening against you.

eberetta1 · Apr 30, 2026

Experience can teach us what no amount of studying can. The small things, like needing food or drink, or need to use a bathroom, the reek of smoking, hearing the clanking of coins like a jackhammer, the strong smell of the cologne or lack thereof from the person sitting next to you, or playing under pressure to get home. All these side distractions probably do not get a mention in studying and the impact it has on our game.

choprav · Apr 30, 2026

Nesehorn156 said:
Some players rely heavily on experience and intuition, while others focus more on studying theory.

Both seem important, but I’m not sure which matters more long term.

Do you think experience or study has had a bigger impact on your game?

Experience goes hand in hand with theory, but if I had to pick experience

Slonoptah · Apr 30, 2026

I think both theory training and game experience make a difference.

SergioV · Apr 30, 2026

I think both are important, but study helped my game more in the long run. Experience gives confidence and helps with reads, but studying teaches you why certain plays are good or bad. The best improvement comes from combining both, learning theory and then applying it in real games.

Mazembe · Apr 30, 2026

I have to say it plays a big part. If you know you've been in that similar situation countless of times, you've learned how it always tends to play out because you've seen it before. It gives you an advantage

Lodestone · Apr 30, 2026

Just ask the OMC with 40 years of experience and a career loss of six figures.

Experience can help with nerves and tells but if you don't know what you're doing fundamentally you're just making the casino and others at the table rich.

austral · Apr 30, 2026

Beginner: 60–70% study, 30–40% play
Intermediate/advanced: balance, or even more play, but with constant study

cwdignus · Apr 30, 2026

The greatest complexity in poker lies precisely in how to have good practice without knowing the theory, and how to understand the theory without practice. This is almost a dilemma, because in reality, you have to work with both all the time.

comini · May 4, 2026

Experience is important, as is everything in life, but study is much greater.

MishkaZL · May 4, 2026

Nesehorn156 said:
Some players rely heavily on experience and intuition, while others focus more on studying theory.

Both seem important, but I’m not sure which matters more long term.

Do you think experience or study has had a bigger impact on your game?

You need to combine learning and playing. Only in the process of such a combination will you accumulate the necessary experience and be able to apply the knowledge you have gained.

Coolcassv9. · May 4, 2026

I think they complement each other. There are players who have been playing for years and don't get results, while there are rookies who quickly made it profitable. I do believe that the talent you have is what will lead you to good results.

dreamer13 · May 4, 2026

Whether live or online, experience allows you to more quickly recognize bluffs and strong hands from your opponents.Only through practice can you learn to quickly change strategies to suit different situations.Studying helps you understand the rules and fundamentals so you don't lose money on simple mistakes.

dompoker · May 4, 2026

Experience is very important, when someone has years and years of experience playing poker, that can help you a lot.

Roller · May 4, 2026

Study builds the edge, experience unlocks it.
Study it gives you solid ranges, math, and structure.
Experience becomes the separator

TheniT · May 5, 2026

Study builds the strategy; experience makes it work. The best results come from combining both.

888NOX888 · May 5, 2026

Every person undergoes training before going to work, and experience comes with time.

dannystanks · May 5, 2026

Experience is for sure important but if you want to level up your game then your going to have to study.

david018 · May 5, 2026

experience is everything, learning from mistakes is key ideally you should combine analysis and put into practice what works best for you.

burro · May 5, 2026

For me, one doesn't work well without the other.
I've had phases where I just played and repeated the same mistakes, and also phases where I studied too much and got stuck thinking too much at the table.
What helped me the most was combining the two, studying a bit and then practicing to see how it worked in practice.

Uncloggie · May 6, 2026

Absolutely, in all aspects of life. Study is just the first step and takes the least time. Mastering anything takes experience.

gravii2011 · May 6, 2026

I think so. You can learn through experience.

Do you think experience matters more than study?

Nesehorn156

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