Over the last three years, I went from learning 6-max NLHE cash games by myself to beating some of the toughest online poker games in the world.
Here's how I did it.
🧵[ thread]
Here's how I did it.
🧵[ thread]
1/ Books
First, I researched the best books on NLHE cash games.
I found a few different ones, but the one that seemed most relevant to me was Modern Poker Theory by Michael Acevedo.
First, I researched the best books on NLHE cash games.
I found a few different ones, but the one that seemed most relevant to me was Modern Poker Theory by Michael Acevedo.
I learned a little about game theory from different videos and articles, but nothing comprehensive.
I used Michael's book as a bible, studying all the charts and learning the theory.
My goal was to get to $2/$5 online, and the book charts were made for it.
I used Michael's book as a bible, studying all the charts and learning the theory.
My goal was to get to $2/$5 online, and the book charts were made for it.
I continued reading any book on game theory I could find.
Play Optimal Poker by Andrew Brokos.
Advanced Concepts in No-Limit Hold'em by Hunter Cichy.
Applications of No-Limit Hold 'em by Matthew Janda.
The Myth of Poker Talent by Alex Fitzgerald.
Anything my library had.
Play Optimal Poker by Andrew Brokos.
Advanced Concepts in No-Limit Hold'em by Hunter Cichy.
Applications of No-Limit Hold 'em by Matthew Janda.
The Myth of Poker Talent by Alex Fitzgerald.
Anything my library had.
2/ Poker Software
Next, I learned all about the software available to improve my newfound strategy.
I first tried out Poker Snowie.
The software and UI are great, but the process in which the AI solves the game is outdated compared to using software like PioSolver.
Next, I learned all about the software available to improve my newfound strategy.
I first tried out Poker Snowie.
The software and UI are great, but the process in which the AI solves the game is outdated compared to using software like PioSolver.
I decided to bite the bullet and buy PioSolver.
I learned how to use Pio by watching all the youtube tutorials they have.
Then I used all the ranges I had gotten from Modern Poker Theory to run sims.
I learned how to use Pio by watching all the youtube tutorials they have.
Then I used all the ranges I had gotten from Modern Poker Theory to run sims.
This took a while to get good at, but eventually, I was proficient enough to study the scenarios I wanted to learn.
I decided I would run enough sims to construct an entire strategy of how to play in most scenarios.
I decided I would run enough sims to construct an entire strategy of how to play in most scenarios.
This requires a lot of computing power which I didn't really have, so instead, I simplified my process by running sims on the most common flop scenarios, also known as flop subsets.
I ran the sims and studied a 25-flop subset (The least amount needed to represent the game).
I ran the sims and studied a 25-flop subset (The least amount needed to represent the game).
3/ Practice and Review
From there I had a solid strategy that was based on game theory.
I started playing and gathering data with Poker Tracker 4.
After every session, I reviewed the big pots that I played. I'd compare my strategy to the data I had compiled in PioSolver.
From there I had a solid strategy that was based on game theory.
I started playing and gathering data with Poker Tracker 4.
After every session, I reviewed the big pots that I played. I'd compare my strategy to the data I had compiled in PioSolver.
Comparing my play to the solver, helped me understand more about where the "GTO" thresholds were and how far or close I was from them.
I learned heuristics that I could apply to my play at the table.
I learned heuristics that I could apply to my play at the table.
4/ Take Notes
When I was reading books, I took notes on what I thought would be important to my strategy. I would also take notes when I studied using the software.
Continuously I review and update my notes. I'll always have them to look back at if I need a refresher.
When I was reading books, I took notes on what I thought would be important to my strategy. I would also take notes when I studied using the software.
Continuously I review and update my notes. I'll always have them to look back at if I need a refresher.
5/ GTO Wizard
Then I found GTO Wizard. Software that had compiled a lot of presolved solutions.
This made my life easier. I didn't have to run my own sims anymore, and I could look up almost any scenario I found myself in.
Then I found GTO Wizard. Software that had compiled a lot of presolved solutions.
This made my life easier. I didn't have to run my own sims anymore, and I could look up almost any scenario I found myself in.
I read all of the GTO Wizard blogs and adapted the strategy they used.
Luckily it wasn't that different from Modern Poker Theory's strategy, so I was able to adapt quickly.
Luckily it wasn't that different from Modern Poker Theory's strategy, so I was able to adapt quickly.
Since then I've been putting in lots of time playing and continuously studying using GTO Wizard, looking at different scenarios, reviewing my play taking notes along the way.
The games have become tougher over time, but the poker dream is still alive.
The games have become tougher over time, but the poker dream is still alive.
You can use this process for your own online poker goals.
♦️Find books most relevant to your goals and build a fundamental strategy.
♦️Learn and use the best software to improve your strategy.
♦️Take notes.
♦️Put in the volume and review your play continuously.
♦️Find books most relevant to your goals and build a fundamental strategy.
♦️Learn and use the best software to improve your strategy.
♦️Take notes.
♦️Put in the volume and review your play continuously.
If you enjoy posts about online poker, like, retweet the first tweet, and follow me for more educational posts in the future!
I also stream live at twitch.tv Mon-Fri starting at 10am PST! You can follow me there for live online poker action!
I also stream live at twitch.tv Mon-Fri starting at 10am PST! You can follow me there for live online poker action!
Loading suggestions...