Set Goals & Improve Your Poker Skills Faster

June 15th, 2010

Whether you have aspirations to become a professional poker player or not, most people that play Texas Holdem poker or Omaha do not play to lose. The winning cash games players have spent years honing their skills at various stakes. The same goes for tournament poker players although most of us tend to be hybrids spending time in both cash games and tournaments. The one thing that good players and successful professional poker players have in common is that they set goals.

Moving up in Stakes

When to move up in stakes is one of the most common questions that poker players have. Whether you are a beginning player or have been playing at the same cash games for a while it is always something that isn’t far from your thoughts. Everyone player is different in when they believe they are ready to move up in stakes. There is no magic formula to tell you when you are ready. For some poker players they are perfectly OK risking their entire bankroll while on a rush at the next level in stakes. However, this is not the way you want to approach building your bankroll. Moving up in stakes is about good bankroll management in addition to being capable of playing well and beating the stakes you are moving up to. Being impatient can not only bruise your bankroll but it can also lead to a lack of confidence when you move back down.

Here are a few things to consider before moving up in stakes:

1. Can I consistently beat the stakes I am currently playing now?
2. Do I have enough discipline to move back down if things do not work out?
3. Am I smart enough to recognize when I have been out played?

If you can answer each of these questions with a resounding “YES” then you should sit down and give it a shot at the next level. I would highly recommend that you do not risk more than 15% of your bankroll in your endeavor. That way if things don’t work out you can always build back quickly and try it again until you can “stick.”

Being Consistent

The one thing that any poker player loves to talk about in their game is that they are consistent winners. True, anyone can make that statement but when your numbers and bankroll back it up it is quite impressive. The fact of the matter is that good, solid, fundamental, consistent poker will build your bankroll faster than just about anything else. There will always be players that can shine for a day, a week, or even a few months. But the real test is how consistent a player you can be over long periods of time. When you can run deep in poker tournaments and cash out in the black from your ring games regularly then you are well on your way.

“How do I gauge consistency?”
You gauge consistency by taking accurate records of your cash games showing your wins and losses. The same goes for poker tournaments. You need to document how well you played whether you cashed or busted out early. Over time these kinds of records will show you what and where you need to improve your game. For online poker players it is all done for you in your hand history. You can even download a hand history converter and see where your mistakes were made or how well you played a particular hand. The bottom line is that all of the tools are at your disposal. It’s up to you to use them to your advantage.

Be Prepared

I know this may sound simple but the truth is that players come to the table all the time not being prepared to play. Being prepared means that you are getting enough rest to make good decisions. When your mind is tired and you lack sleep your poker game suffers because of it. It also means that you do your homework on your opponents when possible. How many times have you played in the same casino against the same players and then seen them elsewhere playing at the same tournament table with you? It happens all the time. Poker players love to play poker and that means the mental and even written notes you may have on a player can come in handy any time and any place.

The bottom line is that we all want improve our game no matter how much or little success we have. The difference between those of us that do improve our games is that we are always conscious of that fact when others may not be as diligent about it as you and I. Be good to the game and the game will be good to you.

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