What's the most important thing you've learned from visiting here?

[Reel Deal]

Thought it would be interesting to hear what information, thoughts or tips people have gained from visiting these boards that they feel have really helped/improved their game.

For me it's something that Z (and don't let this go to your head Z!) says quite often when analyzing hands on the "How should I have played this" board, and that's to ask yourself the question 'what hands do I have beat here?' and/or 'what am I hoping to make with this hand?' I've found that this is a great way to begin the analysis of your hand and once you've answered those questions, figured out where you think you stand and calculate the chances of making what you hope to make with that hand vis-a-vis the bets that have occurred in front of you, the decision to fold, raise or call becomes much clearer. There have been other great tips/information I've taken away from these boards but as of now, I think the above is the most important thought I've used to help my game.

What do others think has been the most important tip, thought or info they've gained here at the TP boards?

[Nikita]

This is a tough one because I've learned so much coming here.

But, I'd have to say the two things I've learned the most about is bankroll management and starting hand value. Starting hands have always been an issue for me. In my attempt to become a better poker player, I've gone from too loose to too aggressive (raising with marginal hands out of position). I've definitely learned a lot about which hands I should fold, which I should call and which I should raise. I think this has helped me to lose far fewer pots by not getting into action with the trouble hands unnecessarily.

[JPSmiley]

I'd have to say ive learned to control myself from trying to play limits higher than my bankroll can afford, hoping to get lucky and make up for a bad beat or a bad day... because in the end it will work itself out.

[2Tone]

But I learned the wisdom of check/calling the river. Before reading the threads on this, if first to act, I would try to punish anyone drawing on the turn, then bet again with, say, two pair on the river. If my opponent missed his gutshot straight or set, he’d fold. If he made his hand, he’d raise me. -EV move for sure. Now I check/call the river with good hands, bet the river on total bluffs or superior hands. Duh, but it helped my game.

[melioris]

I most valuable thing I that I have learned from this forum (so far) is not to be so short term results orientated. I am finally starting to understand that the only way money is made playing poker is from exploiting the bad play of opponents. Everyone gets the same opportunities, and so whoever plays the best poker, maximizing rewards while minimizing risk, will be the most successful. Although it isn’t often stated this way, a lot of the advice on this forum has to do with thinking about things in terms of EV. So I am trying to develop a style of play that focuses on identifying positive EV situations and acting strongly in these cases while avoiding negative EV situations. This forum helps me play poker soundly and not focus on the immediate results as the mathematics demand that sound poker playing be rewarded by long-term results.

[Tony Cheval]

Exactly, the concept of not betting when only better hands can call you is a subtle one, but well worth knowing. Of course, that assumes your opponent is that sensible, but that's another story.

[Reel Deal]

Bump

[MAYHEM45]

The most important thing Ive learned from this forum is the importance of having someone to talk to about poker that knows what they're doing. I dont know what I would do with Shabi and TP for limit advice, and JD and Zybomb for NL. There are alot of others, but those are the 4 that stand out to me.

[JDMcNugent7]

The first most important thing I learned here was about discipline, and bankroll management. And i basically got all that from TP yelling at me when i had about $25 to my name and was playin Way over my head, and sucked at poker.

The second thing is exactly what Mayhem said. - Being able to talk to other ppl about poker is huge. It keeps me interested in the game and helps out a ton. I feel like I know how to play most hands now, so its not the help I get from actual poker strategy that helps a ton anymore, but without u guys im sure i wouldnt have never gotten PT, have PokeraceHUD, had partymine when it still worked, and alot of other stuff like that - it has all really helped out alot and made it more fun at the same time.

[Talking Poker]

I'm really enjoying this thread.... I'm glad to see so many people are getting so much out of this forum.

I've said it before, ages ago, but the reason I started this forum may not be what you think. It wasn't so I could get rich through affiliate links (believe me, it's *nothing* like that). It was because looking at a few poker forums, I thought they all sucked. I wanted to create a poker community that was "just right." I wanted there to be only a few different sections to keep up with, but I wanted to make sure there were places for the "annoying" threads (Bad Beat stories, begging for money, spam spam SPAM!), so people wouldn't have to dig through them all if all they really wanted to do was to talk poker.

Bdawg and I had literally traded and discussed thousands of Hand Histories before I started this forum, and I am POSITIVE that helped my game tremendously... not because he was teaching me to play, but because we were both learning from each other. You learn when you just think about how to play a hand, and when you really analyze it (or even read through someone else's analysis), you get better. It just works.

So, I decided to create this forum, with hopes of eventually having a really nice poker community. And I'm happy to say, I think we've got it. At the WSOP last year, I told 2Tone I wanted this site to be about 3 times as big as it was (in terms of regular posters). I don't think we're quite there yet, but this site is three times BETTER than it was, in terms of quality of posts and so on, and that's the most important thing, for sure.

I still think we have room to double in size - maybe even more - but I honestly don't want this place to have 2000 new posts every day like 2+2 (they probably have more like 10k - I have no idea). I like being able to keep up with everything.

Well, I've rambled quite a bit here... so let me add something important. I have learned a LOT from this site too. I'm not really sure what the #1 thing is, honestly, but I've learned a lot in general. I'd say the specific hand analysis i what I've benefited the most from.

Thanks again to everyone for being a part of this community and helping make it what it is today. I think it's about time for me to have another fun promotion.... maybe a money added tourney or league or something. NOT a freeroll. *shudder* Talk about nearly wrecking this place.

[PShabi]

I haven't posted in this thread yet. It's a hard question to answer, because there are so many things. Like TP, I've obviously benefitted most from hand analysis. Also, meeting people whose opinions I value when it comes to poker decisions.

To sum it up, the most important thing I've learned from visiting here is :

How to be a winning poker player!!!!!!!

[Talking Poker]

I've also enjoyed meeting a pretty cool, very diverse group of people. Sure, we have our resident psychos and WAY too many Canadians, but what large group ISN'T at least a little bit disfunctional?

[Robbie Robb]

See, and here I was thinking that there's a disproportionate amount of Floridians on this board. You don't see any other state with its own tag on fark.com do you???

[Talking Poker]

No other stare is worthy. Well, maybe CA. Seriously though, other than CA, NY, and FL, what other states can stand alone? Jersey - the armpit of America? I don't think so. You MIGHT be able to make a case for Texas, Hawaii, Alaska, and Colorado, maybe even North Carolina, but that's really stretching it. And all those 2004 election "red" bible states... pfft - who needs em?

[Aequitas58]

LOL. Florida's gay.

Print it.

[melioris]

he is right, Florida is totally queer.

And that is saying something coming from me considering the little shitstorm I riled up over the weekend.

And wasn't Florida red last time I checked?

[Gordogg]

One of the most important things I've learned from this forum is I'm not as good as I thought I was. I used to think I was really great but I am constantly humbled by the way good players on here can actally explain there moves and why they made them with the utmost detail. I find that often I make moves not really being able to explain why. This forum has helped me realize why I make those moves, good or bad. I love the cast of characters we have around here, I feel it's a really good mix and there isn't much b.s. to sift through to get to the good stuff. I definitely dont want this forum to turn into what it did when we had the freeroll. I hope the forum grows, but in a postitive manner. There is alot of priceless info on here that you won't learn in books because poker is a constantly changing landscape. It is an invaluable tool to have a place you can discuss hands and address questions you may have at the click of a mouse.

Add the freerolls, the hats, the deals, etc.... and a moderator that is an honest poker player (oxymoron?) who really gives expert advice on damn near every thread and I have yet to find a better poker forum on the net.

[Robbr25]

At least most of the other states do a good job of counting votes, lol.
TP, suprised you left Pa of the list.

[JDMcNugent7]

Whoa, didnt i get bitched at by u for saying something very similiar to this?
I don't care at all - i just dont get it.

[Gordogg]

I'm so sick of "politically correct" bullshit. How is it that the minorities are getting there way over the majority? Isn't our country a democracy based on a system of individual votes? So if the majority wants prayer or pledge of allegiance in school, why is it the minority that gets their way? That, and suing for ridiculous shit like spilling coffee on yourself, and actually winning the case, has all just really pissed me off. If you don't like the term "gay" and don't realize it's not a derogatory statement towards gays in the context that it's used, well, get over it! The majority shouldn't change their ways to please the minorities when the subject in question is little more than one's own perception of the meaning. I'm sorry if you don't approve of the way people choose to talk, but life's a bitch, get a helmet.

[drewjax]

I couldnt agree more. I lost so many more bets on the river, than I do now. And, ya, it seems simple now in retrospect, but it is a great edge in limit (against weaker players anyway). This forum has absolutely helped me in that regard.

Also bankroll management for sure.

And really just sorta common sense, non-donk stuff. Dont tilt and move up w/ entire bankroll etc.....

I dont post many hands etc. I should, and will try to do it more. The advise here is about as sound as you can get IMO.