Poker Training

Poker training differs from 'poker coaching' in that this phrase refers to the methods top poker players use to stay at the top of their game. Poker coaching on the other hand, could refer to the specific videos you watch or what kind of advise a poker player chooses to take. Training is the act of making implementation of your strategy second nature.

 1. Interactive Poker Quiz

 Basic poker training can be simple. Check out our interactive poker school and apps - They simulate real poker situations and give you a choice of correct answers.

You will be under time pressure and will get to evaluate your answers at the end of the quiz. It is simple, but effective and in our opinion is the best way to keep your game sharp, off the felt.

 2. Line Checks, Session Reviews & Evaluation

Arguably the most important aspect of poker training is to actually recognize training as something that is essential for your growth as a poker player. Although, it might seem difficult a minimum of 33% of your time should be spent improving your game rather than playing - of course this is if you are serious about poker.

 Get into the habit of the following:

• Line Checks - Post your hands using a poker hand converter and get different opinions on your play.
• Evaluation - Take time to evaluate other people's hands. This will help you grow greatly.
• Session Reviews - Use poker tools like Hold'em Manager and regularly evaluate your stats. What position are you losing most money in? How do your stats compare to your peers? How about the other players in your games?

 The art of poker training, is not in how to do these things, but in making them a rigid part of your poker career. You will not get anywhere, just by playing at random hours and never taking the time or effort to think about your game.

 Additionally, you can also add poker coaching videos and reading poker strategy articles to your schedule.

3. Off the Table

Having a clear body and mind should be considered a key aspect of your poker training. The goal should be to think rationally and clearly as much as possible, regardless of the situation.

Anything that clouds your judgement is bad for your poker game. Not only does this mean something obvious like; "Never play drunk" (unless for fun of course!), but it means you should do your best to eat healthily, and exercise your intellect.

 A few basic ideas;

• Exercise daily - Even if it is a short walk or some press ups.
• Keep Regular Hours - Try to wake up at a reasonable time, do not ruin your body clock.
• Keep a clean environment - Maybe some plants on your desk
• Stay groomed - A controversial piece of advice, but study's have shown being clean and having a sharp haircut will keep you thinking more clearly.
• Drink, Drugs & the bad stuff - We are only human, but try not to play poker within 24 hours of drinking or taking drugs. Again, these do effect your judgement. Although the effect of something like weed might seem miniscule, it has an effect nevertheless and by now you should know poker is a game of fine margins. If you work at a supermarket for example, you can operate perfectly whilst intoxicated, but online poker is about making decisions for a lot of money under time pressure.

 4. Playing Poker

There is no substitute for actually playing poker, nothing is quite like the real thing.

However, from a poker training perspective be mindful of the fact that playing a high number of tables will do little to improve your game and you may end up mindlessly clicking buttons.

If you desire to focus on your moves and learn a new style of play, fewer tables are recommended. Try to think about what you are doing and why you are doing it - As you become more comfortable with your new improved style of play gradually add on more tables.

Your end poker training goal should be to make your poker strategy second nature, so when you are under time pressure or playing too many tables, you default to the optimal decision. 

Poker training is about forming habits and consistency. If you have a plan and stick to it, then you will see progress. A great way to stay motivated, is to start a 'poker journey' on the PokerVIP poker forum. Here you can post tricky hands, updates, graphs and get feedback from the community.
 

 Hopefully this article has inspired you to start taking poker training seriously.

 Good luck with your Poker Training and remember to Join us for more information about Poker Training !



 What was your Poker Training Procedure? What did you do to reach your current level in poker? 
Tell us all about it in the comment section below.