Is poker getting harder? What's your take?

[Szimba1989]

A bigger game has more chances because you don't sit in a lot of fish than in a freerolls it's harder to win a lot for them

 

[sibkaz]

People just became more careful, having learned from the sad example of gamblers...)

 

[flattershay]

Yes but in higher and middle stakes. Low and micro stakes are not that hard imo. I think the reason is there's a lot of content and resources to learn from and more people are using it.

 

[Prophet]

I think poker was a lot harder playing in the wild west saloons in 1870s , where you are at risk of getting shot by a drunk cowboy for winning a hand, getting accused of cheating , or simply just getting robbed afterwards.

And if you're just losing your money, you must also have to plan a robbery the next day because there is no other way to earn money....
(stealing cattle and horses, and robbing gold transports)
Maybe short term sell your horse, or silver gun, just to play a few more hands and hope to get lucky

But if you're the one getting cheated on ,must definitely shoot the guy ! Just let the adulterated whiskey decide for you

 

[pirateglenn]

I think Poker has become far more of a level playing field today than it ever has been in terms of learning the game and therefore to me its become more competitive, i also think bluffing has become a bigger weapon in modern day poker and the really good players know exactly when to exploit this and squeeze at the right times.
The coverage and exposure Poker gets now is unparalleled and the learning resources that are out there if you really want to develop your game are immense, i have seen so much improvement in players that i considered weaker before and thats a good thing i feel, more risk and aggression definitely factor into the game today, it reaches every level, you only have to see the games on CC to witness this.

 

[E.Rostowicz]

Poker is definitely getting harder because the average player is much better than they were ten years ago. With so many coaching sites, YouTube videos, and GTO solvers available, it is easier than ever to learn solid strategy. What used to be an expert-level play is now just standard for most regulars at mid-stakes.

 

[farahonloveshad]

Poker has become more difficult because the average player skill level has risen thanks to solvers and research, but many players also overcomplicate their decisions by trying to play perfectly without adapting to the table. The key is to balance theoretical foundations with practical application, avoiding excessive analysis.

 

[Nesehorn156]

I think it’s a mix of both. The game does evolve and players study more, use software, and exploit trends, so the overall level keeps creeping up. But a lot of times people overthink spots and forget the basics like position, pot odds, and opponent tendencies. I’ve found that simplifying decisions and sticking to solid fundamentals usually works better than trying to out-theory everyone. So yeah, poker gets tougher, but sometimes our brains make it harder than it needs to be.

 

[SPANKYSN]

Is poker getting harder… or are players just overthinking?

Short answer…yes. Poker is harder…there is more information available online and YouTube videos to study, and there are simply more people playing poker.

 

[anasslaaleg]

Today, players have access to more training, solvers, and content than ever before. The average level has gone up. Fewer easy mistakes, more solid strategies.
But here’s the good news: most players still struggle with discipline, tilt, and bankroll management. Mental game is still the biggest edge.
Poker isn’t about being perfect. It’s about being more consistent than the field.

 

[kecoakbogor]

Is poker getting harder… or are players just overthinking?

yes now more player with more strategic, need to learn for all table.
don't greedy, this is mental game 😂😂
for online poker, you need to learn the player and the system 😅

 

[s0ftdumps]

In my opinion, online poker is becoming more difficult. I started playing poker in 2018, and I have the impression that it was easier to make a profit back then. Of course, nowadays it is still possible to be profitable, but you have to dedicate a lot more time to studying and practicing. I believe the amount of information available today is huge, and more and more people are studying poker. The creation of poker teams has also contributed to this, making the game more competitive. At the micro stakes, I think the overall level has increased a bit, but it is still possible to make money, even with a certain degree of ease. However, as you move up in stakes, it becomes much, much harder. There are many poker teams and a large number of strong players who study a lot, which makes the games significantly tougher.

The game has definitely matured since around 2018. Back then, there were still a lot more recreational players and far fewer people using structured study methods. Now solvers, training sites, databases, and coaching are everywhere, so even at the micro stakes you’re running into players with at least a basic theoretical foundation.

I’d also agree that micros are still very beatable, mostly because population tendencies and mistakes are still common, but the edge comes less from “knowing the rules better” and more from discipline, volume, and exploiting patterns. As you move up, that edge narrows quickly, and the time investment required to stay competitive increases a lot.

It feels like poker hasn’t necessarily become unbeatable, but it’s shifted from being a mostly intuitive game to a much more technical one.

 

[R.Melnyk77]

Is poker getting harder… or are players just overthinking?

I think the game has changed because the market conditions and the overall economic situation in the world have changed. There are significantly fewer freerolls, it has become harder to build a bankroll, there are fewer promotions and the prize pools in most cases have also become smaller. I think this is the reason why it has become harder to play, the economic situation and commercial conditions have changed.

 

[R.Holynskyi]

I think the game has changed because the market conditions and the overall economic situation in the world have changed. There are significantly fewer freerolls, it has become harder to build a bankroll, there are fewer promotions and the prize pools in most cases have also become smaller. I think this is the reason why it has become harder to play, the economic situation and commercial conditions have changed.

Yes, you're right. The conditions are completely different. The economic situation has changed significantly since 2019, since the pandemic. Everything has changed, including online poker. There are fewer prospects and opportunities. But I'm an optimist and I just think that good times are still ahead of us.
Maybe I just don't want to look at things realistically, but it seems better for my mental health

 

[888NOX888]

Progress does not stand still, new programs appear, strategies, of course, poker is becoming more difficult.

 

[Fallenglory]

If I compare it to years back, when people still played drunk and put huge oversized bets in. Yes it has changed a lot, lot's of regs grinding and talented pro's scooping tournaments. Honestly, even though I'm sad to say it, we'll see less and less amateur players winning tournaments in the future.

 

[steve01991]

it's not that poker is getting harder, its just that there are new players coming in everyday , and you will have to adjust.

 

[john_entony]

I don't think it's become harder to play against fishes. My game is affected by the number of tournament tables I play at the same time. My results are always better when I focus solely on one tournament.

 

[istbno]

Poker is definitely getting harder over time, but part of it is also that players tend to overthink and overcomplicate things. With solvers, training sites, and millions of hands available online, the overall skill level has increased, meaning you can’t rely on basic strategies anymore. At the same time, some players paralyze themselves with too much theory, forgetting that solid fundamentals, discipline, and psychology still win long-term. So yes, the game has evolved, but the hardest part for many is balancing strategy with clear, confident decision-making.

 

[Magallaneroy]

More loose players, so is harder to read and beat them.

 

[Rachidao]

It's harder today, too many softwares helping people playing.

 

[phuchoidey1]

Nó I think poker online still have more fish

 

[bodil19982]

Poker changes but the basics remain the same.

 

[MishkaZL]

I have been playing poker for over 8 years, and in my opinion, the game is not becoming more difficult. The game is changing, that's for sure, but I wouldn't say it's becoming more difficult. Players vary, and the game varies from day to day, but I don't see any major changes.

 

[Luvepoker]

Players are much better than before in my opinion. Thankfully there are enough bad players or players who do work to improve there games.