What Have You Done to Improve Your Poker Play?

[nabmom]

It's that time of the year when we reflect on our behavior over the past year. Let's share any tips or steps to take that can make you a better player.

So, in terms of improving your poker game, what have you done in 2025 to increase your skills?

 

[veryluckyfish7k]

I think i learned to be more tight player in 2025. Especially in PLO cause when i play PLO open widely is like habit, so i try to avoid it.

 

[KANNE 1972]

Hello, I started playing poker at pokerstars and there was also a learning program there. Otherwise I've also read several books about poker, and I would also like to complete the CardsChat 30-day course, but unfortunately I can't speak English or is there a course in German as well? Otherwise, you learn something new by playing poker every day.

 

[pirateglenn]

Ive started back at playing more - i find that the more i play, the better my results as i start encountering familiar decisions and positions in poker play and it triggers the memory banks of past play.

 

[YLAN]

Have done what I've always done since coming back to poker - that is to play as much as possible & grateful for encountering CC that allowed this to happen without worries of bankroll. I am not sure about increasing skills but the more I play the more chances of getting lucky.

 

[wushibala]

Personally, I learn from my mistakes and try to improve what I’m already good at. I pay a lot of attention to bluffing — I used to be afraid of it, and now I regret not practicing it earlier. Bluffing is helping me more and more often.

 

[Sunz of Beaches]

What have i done lately to improve my poker play? Not so much but here and there i discuss hands with other players via pm or in the hand discussion subforum of cardschat. Sometimes i also watch content on YouTube to learn new stuff or to see how certain people approach their games.

 

[steve01991]

for starters, i have become more patient waiting for opportunities. it has helped, but i still think i can do better

 

[Gutshot Gus]

I completed the 30 day course here at CardsChat.
That was not like the magic switch that made me unbeatable, but it made me realize the things to focus on and what to be aware of.
I still go back from time to time and review lessons to sharpen the saw.

 

[Tero]

Not much to be honest. I have invested my time in more important things. But I did brush up my spin skills a bit.

 

[riff_raff312]

Well let's see i try new things just about every day to win more but the biggest thing is i stopped playing mad,you know when you make a bad call then keep doing it also there is the opened str8 don't bother chasing that to the end other than that just keep grinding and having fun!

 

[nabmom]

for starters, i have become more patient waiting for opportunities. it has helped, but i still think i can do better

That’s a thing I love about poker. We can always learn more and get better. It’s part of the game, right?

 

[nabmom]

I completed the 30 day course here at CardsChat.
That was not like the magic switch that made me unbeatable, but it made me realize the things to focus on and what to be aware of.
I still go back from time to time and review lessons to sharpen the saw.

Can you give an example of any parts of the course that you found particularly helpful?

 

[Mig32]

I focused first on the fundamentals: starting hand selection, position, and bankroll management. I stopped playing too many hands and began thinking more about why I was making each decision instead of playing on autopilot.
I also learned a lot from reviewing my own mistakes. After sessions, I replay key hands in my head or write them down and ask myself if there was a better line. Over time, that habit helped me control tilt, become more patient, and make more disciplined decisions at the table.

 

[martinoni]

Bought a mentorship that I invest like 2 hours a day studying, practicing and playing better.

 

[Gutshot Gus]

Can you give an example of any parts of the course that you found particularly helpful?

The last one's that I have reviewed are:
Day 3 Thinking in Ranges
Day 7 Value Betting
Day 10 The Key to Playing Draws
Day 16 Pot Control and Hand Planning
Day 26 Defending the Big Blind

The segment on defending the Big Blind is most helpful.
That is the biggest leak that I have and I need constant thought and reminders.

 

[najisami]

So, in terms of improving your poker game, what have you done in 2025 to increase your skills?

Besides doing the usual, which is playing as much as I can, I've been watching some YouTube content as well as trying to replay some of my crucial hands.
Occasionally, I also watch some pros playing.

 

[Flyer35]

I don't actually play a lot. When I do play I see the same things happening over and over and over. At the stakes I play I don't see how it's possible to improve. It almost always comes down to cards and the luck of the draw. I rarely get the cards and when I do I rarely get the draws. People just don't fold top pair much (especially when there's an Ace involved) so there's no getting them off their hands. Unless you have better, there's no point to playing most hands out. People are so predictable.

HOWEVER, I do like playing and I win often enough to keep it enjoyable.

 

[nabmom]

Bought a mentorship that I invest like 2 hours a day studying, practicing and playing better.

That’s a real investment in yourself and your game. How long have you been doing that and how long do you think you’ll continue?

 

[alucaa]

I have set “rules” to myself, to try to play better or lose less jasjas

 

[antonis32123]

I haven't done much , I didn't have much time to play poker this year . I wanted to watch a lot of tables , the hand histories or the replays of hands , but I have postponed it many times . It needs dedication and time and the right mood . I ll do this this next year , cause improvement is needed if I want better results .

 

[hardongear]

To improve. Not much honestly haven't played much in 2025 and even if I did I likely only review my hand histories as it's pretty all I'v done for 15+ years now.

Have been playing mainly switching over from full-ring to playing 6 max in 2025 when I have played thou. So I guess you could say I've used some poker winnings($50) to play and try to get ferl for 6 max which I still have $40 some left.

Plan on playing mainly 6 max in 2026 and hopefully I get to play a lot more.

Cheers!!!

 

[Iryna Stryzheuskaya]

I'm doing it the same way I usually do it. I plan to watch some training videos, watch one or two from the series, then forget it or get lazy. Nothing to be proud of.

 

[Andrew Popov]

I upgraded some hardware on my PC and changed my mouse. Seriously. Even minor lags and even one misclick can have a huge impact in online poker.

Now, before the New Year holidays and the upcoming Christmas, it's time to ask yourself if you can improve your work environment. A larger monitor? A comfortable keyboard? Or maybe a comfortable chair? It's not too late to improve your game!

 

[NDim]

Unfortunately, I have little time for poker. All I can do is play for fun when I have free time. I'm a realist.