What helped you improve the most when you were learning poker?

[Nesehorn156]

I’m still in the learning phase and trying different ways to get better, like watching videos, reading forum posts, and reviewing my own hands. Sometimes it feels overwhelming with so much information out there. I’ve found that focusing on basics like position, hand selection, and patience helps more than jumping into advanced concepts. Small improvements already feel like progress. I’m curious what worked best for others. What helped you improve the most when you were starting out?

 

[goaldriversv]

I learned a lot by reading books and then going into forums like cardschat. Then you have to get experience just by playing, getting feedback, and keeping track of your progress by setting goals along the way. Also joining the events here, getting involved, and the league has really helped

 

[hardongear]

Before I even sat down 20+years ago for my first online poker session I had already read 4-5 poker books which yes likely was a bit extreme considering how easy poker was back then. But I wanted to make 110% sure I was from the very first hand I was dealt and I was ready. What helped me improve the most I'd say KISS(Keeping It Simple Stupid). By that I mean I started with a very simple TAG strategy(still works in 2026 at micro/low stakes) which managed to make my decisions easy as possible even the further I got into a hand. I also worked on myself NOT poker strategy myself.

The things I worked on the most were my patience, my discipline, my mental toughness/tilt control and game selection. Them things matter just as much as how much poker knowledge and smarts you have. You can know all the poker strategy in the world and still be a losing player if you're not good at them 5-6 things.

Cheers!!!

 

[Jyco]

At the beginning, what helped me the most was watching YouTube videos. I can’t point to just one creator, but watching a lot of content from very basic concepts to more advanced ones really helps you understand the game step by step. Right now, what helps me the most is analyzing my own hands, reviewing spots I’m unsure about, and trying to understand how to play them better so those decisions become more natural at the table.

 

[Happy Bobi]

I have been playing for over 12 years. When I started playing, my main problem was the lack of bankroll management. I considered all the money in my bankroll as money for one evening. This led to my account constantly being at zero. And that, in turn, led to me starting to play in freerolls. Everything changed, radically changed, after I realised how important bankroll management is and how important it is to always stick to it.

 

[Hospedar]

I can say that what helped me the most to keep the new knowledge into my mind was starting to put it in practice just after I learn it.

For example, if you start to learn more about 4-bets, you should put it in practice in your next opportunity in order to improve your EV results.

 

[Pabloro10321]

While I learned a lot from the information and videos in the forum, the best lessons came from the mistakes I made while playing or the mistakes of other players.