Study Poker – Mental Game and Skills

 Hey all!

Last week, life threw some curveballs, pulling me away from my poker game and business plans. I had to handle some family health issues, so I wasn’t around to write as much as I’d planned. But here we are—I’m back, and it feels good to get back in the game.

Today, I want to talk about one of the most important areas for poker players: how to study poker effectively. I’ve been on this journey for a while now, and with all the tools and platforms available today, it’s easy to feel overwhelmed. But if you’re like me—a player ready to level up—let me share some insights on my study plan and the tools I’m using to improve my poker game in 2025.

Quick Disclaimer: There’s No “One Size Fits All”

Everyone’s path to mastering poker is different, shaped by their level, goals, time, and budget. So, while I’ll share what’s working for me, remember that your path to becoming a profitable player might look a little different. The key is to find what fits you best and stick to it.

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My Poker Journey and Study Blueprint

I live in Israel, and when I started playing poker, the game wasn’t as popular here as it is today. Most people played 5 Card Draw, so when I got into poker, my first experiences were in my dad’s poker circles. His group, mostly Anglo-American players, loved dealer’s choice games, and every week, we’d mix things up with different poker variants.

Looking back, those early games taught me a lot more than just poker hands—they laid the foundation for my poker skills: mental resilience, managing tilt, patience, hand selection, and playing the player. Also, having my dad there was a big advantage. On the drive home, we’d analyze the hands we played, talk about what we could’ve done differently, and discuss how we read other players in real-time. That early experience was priceless.

When I switched to Texas Hold’em, I quickly realized that instincts alone wouldn’t cut it. Structured study and a consistent approach would save me time and prevent a lot of headaches. In business, we talk about ROI (Return on Investment). I think of poker study the same way. Each hour you put into studying is an investment, with compounding benefits that eventually reflect in your bankroll.

Back in the early 2000s, a few good books were enough to crush the game. With the online poker boom, new players (or "fish," if you will) were jumping in every day, making it easy for experienced players to clean up. I invested in a few classic poker books on Amazon—Doyle Brunson’s Super System Vol. 2, Harrington’s Tournament Poker Vol. 1-2, Sklansky’s The Theory of Poker, and of course, followed Mike Caro’s Blog. For me, Caro is still the top guy in poker psychology.

But now, two decades later, things have changed. Simply reading a few poker books and revisiting fundamentals isn’t enough. Poker’s complexity has evolved, and so have the players. If you want to be a winning player today, you need more tools in your arsenal.

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Studying Poker in 2025 – My Study Plan

After diving into some online MTTs, playing cash games, and getting active in communities like the 2+2 poker forum and Reddit’s poker threads, I realized that if I’m serious about my game, I have some catching up to do.

Before you even make a study plan, you need clear goals. A few years back, I read The 12 Week Year, a book about goal-setting and productivity. It’s built around the idea that setting long-term goals makes it hard to stay motivated. Instead, break down your goals into quarters (12-week segments). Determine the daily actions you’ll need to reach these goals, which makes progress measurable and consistent.

Heading into 2025, I’ve decided to take poker more seriously, upping both my playing volume and study hours. The beauty of this method is that every 12 weeks, you assess your “year,” tweak your approach as needed, and move forward. It’s all about tracking your progress—what you track, you can improve. Every day, every week, and at the end of each 12-week “year,” you evaluate where you stand.

Here’s a breakdown of my Poker Study Chart:

Depending on your goals and available time, having a clear weekly plan is essential. My current schedule allows for about 5 hours of poker study each week. It might not seem like much, but even small, consistent efforts compound over time. A year from now, that’s 270 hours of study and 540 hours of play.

In my plan, I break down study time into types:

- Drills: Poker apps let you practice specific aspects like hand ranges, 3-bet strategies, and blind defense. These drills are my warm-up—a bit like stretching before hitting the gym.

- Hand Review: One of the biggest benefits of online poker is the ability to review hands. After each session, I pick 5 hands I struggled with, analyzing whether I played them right. I post in forums and want to start using Equilab to dig deeper.

- Deep Dive: For areas where I need a boost, like understanding ICM pressure in MTTs or mastering bet sizing, I allocate time for in-depth study.

- Coaching: While I don’t currently work with a poker coach, I’ve signed up for pokercoaching.com to improve my MTT skills. If you can afford it, a coach who’s reached your goals can be invaluable.

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Poker Study Guide: Balancing Play and Study

The best way to improve at poker? It’s all about balancing play and study. If you’re playing without reviewing your hands or analyzing mistakes, you’re likely reinforcing bad habits. Here’s my approach:

- Play Volume: For every 10 hours of play, I spend about 5 hours on review and study.

- Focused Study: Dedicate specific time each week for analyzing hand histories and using tools to identify leaks.

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Building Habits that Support Your Game

Consistency is everything. My approach includes habits that keep me on track, like reviewing 5 hands from every session, doing daily mindset exercises, and weekly check-ins on my goals. Establishing routines like these ensures you stay on course even when motivation dips.

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The Best Way to Study Poker in Today’s Landscape

Poker has evolved, and so have the resources to study it. Here are some top tools for leveling up your game:

1. Poker Solvers and GTO 

   If you’re serious about improving, GTO (Game Theory Optimal) is a game-changer. Tools like PioSolver and Equilab help analyze optimal play in various situations. Solvers can be complex, so start with basics and use them to review key hands.

2. Drills and Training Software 

   Platforms like PokerTracker and PeakGTO let you drill specific areas, like post-flop play and three-bet pots. Drills are a great way to internalize strategies.

3. Books and Forums 

   Classic books like The Theory of Poker by Sklansky are foundational, while forums like TwoPlusTwo or Reddit’s poker community provide feedback on hands and strategies.

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Structuring Poker Sessions

Here’s my ideal poker session breakdown:

1. Drill Time: 30 minutes before each session helps reinforce correct strategy and set the right mindset.
2. Play Time: Limit online sessions to 4 hours with breaks each hour to maintain focus.
3. Review Time: After each session, review 5 key hands—moments of challenge or mistakes are where you’ll learn the most.

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Setting SMART Goals

In poker, avoid dollar-focused goals (e.g., "win $100,000 in a year"). Instead, focus on habits you control. If you form the right habits, profits will follow.

For 2025, my SMART goal is simple: invest 15 hours per week in poker (10 for play, 5 for study). Each week, I’ll play 1 MTT, do pre-session drills, review poker notes, and analyze 5 key hands afterward.

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Wrapping Up: Turning Study into Results

Studying poker isn’t about a magic formula. It’s about **building a system that works for you and sticking to it**. With so many resources out there, experiment with new methods, but track what delivers results. Keep it structured, balanced, and specific. Remember, poker is

 a long journey, and consistent, small improvements lead to big gains over time.

Ready to take your study to the next level? Drop a comment below with your own study tips or share resources you’ve found useful. Let’s continue this journey to becoming sharper, stronger poker players.