Learning How to Analyse Your Hand from the WSOP Pros
Analysing your poker hand can be the difference between you climbing the ranks and staying put. Whilst it may be tempting to forget your poker hands the second your match concludes, examining them is the only way to grow and develop as a player. When it comes to analysing poker hands, World Series of Poker pros do it best. Continue reading to find out what you can learn from them as a budding poker player.
Record your hands
In order to be taken seriously as a professional poker player, you must get into the habit of recording your hands. Whilst this may be difficult for live poker players, memorable hands, bad or good, are worth studying at a later date. Online players may find it easier to record their hands. There are also a number of online platforms designed to help you keep track of any notable hands. Doyle Brunson, for example, won the $10,000 World Series of Poker Main Event in 1976 and again in 1977 by studying and applying the same winning hand. Since then, the infamous 10-2 hand has become synonymous with the player and unofficially known as The Doyle Brunson.
Run the numbers
If you are looking to progress from an amateur player to a professional poker star, you must invest in a program that calculates equities. There are a wide range of programs out there to choose from. Alternatively, some players rely on the rule of four and two. This involves counting the number of cards that will improve your hand before multiplying that figure by four. This calculates the probability of catching that card on either the turn or the river. World Series of Poker greats that launched their professional poker playing career on online poker platforms such as GGPoker or in person, may learn to rely on instinct and muscle memory over time but running the numbers can be a great way to climb the ranks.
Take notes
It is not enough to simply analyse your hand. You must take notes to enable you to adjust your strategy going forward. This can be done by examining the differences between your predicted outcome and your final outcome. This can end up improving accuracy as well as overall gameplay. Your notes must not only make sense but be useful for future matches. Abbreviations can also allow you to jot down as much information as you can in a limited timeframe. For example, in a recent match between Daniel Negreanu and Doug Polk, both players unanimously agreed to allow the use of preflop charts and notes.
Discuss your hands with fellow players
If you have thoroughly analysed your poker hand, it may benefit you to seek an outsider’s perspective. The power of connected minds is greater than the power of one. A fresh set of eyes may identify an angle you had failed to consider. As an amateur poker player, online forums can be a great way to uncover anything you may have missed and learn from constructive criticism. If you are looking to make the jump to a professional poker playing career, it may also be worth investing in a private coach.
Analysing your poker hands is key to becoming a better poker player. By identifying good and bad hands, you can adjust your strategy as necessary going forward and learn from some of the greatest names to grace the tables at the World Series of Poker. This can be done in a number of ways including recording your hands, running the numbers, taking notes, and discussing your hands with fellow players.
