How many times can I write an article about how I called an all-in bet against an opponent on the flop and was hopelessly behind because I did not believe what the betting was telling me before learning my lesson? I learned that the bets people make are generally true and that normally people do not give their chips away. If they bet strong they usually are strong. I wrote on my poker blog that “hero calls are only so if opponents are being tricky. Hero calls become zero calls instantly when they show you the nuts”. It helped clarify my thinking and helped me from being tempted when a tough decision arose. I remember the phrase in that situation and that extra few seconds of thought often prevents a big mistake.

Poker blogging is a good way to look at the game from a different perspective and helps to keep that perspective when poker can become a little immersive. Writing good quality posts requires you to research the poker scene and in doing so you will note that other players struggle with different elements of online poker and that you are not alone. This will keep you positive and give you the best chances of quickly emerging from a downswing. Of course when things are going well you are fine and there is nothing to worry about. Many players feel the response to a bad period of online poker is what separates the good players from the truly great winners.

When you are doing your hand analysis you can check down your lists of named and shamed mistakes and that acts as a refresher just in case the urge to repeat a mistake occurs. With the mistakes you often make fresh in your mind that instantly brings you to a higher level of online poker, whether that be in an online poker tournament or cash game. You can also see what type of error you repeat the most thus focusing your attention on the areas of your poker game that need the most work and improvement.

If you do not feel like running an online poker blog is for you keep detailed notes instead and show them to your friends. You will learn to think before repeating an error to avoid being mocked. My own mistake of overplaying AJ early in an online poker tournament was berated repeatedly by my professional poker friend, it was hard to hear because I knew he was right and I was wrong. I now instantly fold the hand early in a poker tournament remembering his criticism. This has stopped me busting numerous times and I know there are many other lessons I have still to learn, all of which will improve my poker game.

To improve your poker game you must swallow your ego and accept that improvement can be made by every poker player who has ever touched a chip. Unless you are a millionaire many times over from playing online poker you have plenty to improve on and plenty to master. Even Durrrr has things he could do better, so lets get to work.

By Malcolm Clarke