Is it worth memorizing the card group rankings?

angrybanana · May 23, 2014

Hey guys, I am new here. I've been playing poker with my friends for several years now but after a recent trip to atlantic city I got inspired to become great at the game. I had Hold'Em Poker for Advanced Players by Sklansky laying around the house so I attempted to get through the book. He describes the card rankings and presents tables for easier presentation. But, should I memorize the groups and the cards within them from the start or should I just keep reading about and playing poker until eventually i'll be able to tell the value of a hand?
Thanks!

BenjiHustle · May 23, 2014

Both. It's never bad to retain information. You can decide in time whether or not the information has a use within your game, but there's always going to be a spot for info. Sklansky is apparently the ultimate genius in the game, though I have no personal experience with him or his books, he comes highly recommended and regarded.

Anytime you're learning, it's not going to be bad to remember it. That's simple logic. There will come a time when you're in the middle of a session and you utilize a piece of information the one and only time you've needed it, but it helps. It's called a "Eureka!" moment.

tothbopo · May 24, 2014

Being new to poker like me it is very valuable to memorize some basic stuff.

In time you will take basic stuff into your own game without even thinking about it.

I believe in theory when I play at my level.

AlfieAA · May 24, 2014

You've been playing for years and you don't know the value of hand rankings?....pretty much a must to learn them, otherwise what's the point in playing?

AugustWest · May 24, 2014

I think he means the Sklansky group ratings Alf, not what beats what....

http://www.thepokerbank.com/strategy/basic/starting-hand-selection/sklansky-groups/

AlfieAA · May 24, 2014

AugustWest said:
I think he means the Sklansky group ratings Alf, not what beats what....

http://www.thepokerbank.com/strategy/basic/starting-hand-selection/sklansky-groups/

ok man haha, picked it up all wrong...thanks for the link, looks interesting

hffjd2000 · May 24, 2014

For basic stuffs, you have to know them but not necessarily memorize them by heart.

There are also other factors to consider like postflop plays, strategies, etc.

Even regulars already forget those card rankings and its groups.

rhombus · May 24, 2014

If you play online just stcik them to the side of your monitor and glance at them from time to time. Eventually you wil lknow without looking

punctual · May 24, 2014

I'll be honest with you. I was all for memorizing preflop starting hands by position when I first started playing poker around 9 months ago. And I don't think that doing this has hurt me in any way.

But I think over time experience will let you just instinctively know which hands tend to perform well for you from each position. I mean when you constantly get screwed by raising from UTG with KJ, you eventually will be programmed to stop doing that...lol....

BenjiHustle · May 24, 2014

punctual said:
But I think over time experience will let you just instinctively know which hands tend to perform well for you from each position. I mean when you constantly get screwed by raising from UTG with KJ, you eventually will be programmed to stop doing that...lol....

I disagree with this. You've obviously never seen these fish who repeatedly push with middle and bottom pairs and backdoor draws.

Arjonius · May 25, 2014

If it's not difficult for you to memorize tables, then why not? Even if you're not good at memorizing, for online, you can just keep a copy at your PC.

LizRang · May 25, 2014

I don't think it's important to memorize it exactly. However, I do think it is really helpful if you make your own determination and memorize what/how You are going to typically play from different positions based upon how much you have in your chip stack .. and where the game is at ... and don't change your general play strategy unless you are doing it consciously.

XXPXXP · May 25, 2014

Does Casino allowed you to use some thing like pad/cellphone, during the play?
If yes, just store a picture in cellphone.

I don't think it is worth to remember rankings by hearts.
Because at least, I know paper notes are allowed, just write it down, and get a quick peek, if you are unsure about one hand.

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Is it worth memorizing the card group rankings?

angrybanana

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