Poker Articles

Only Way To Get It Done, Is To Get It Started

By Al Spath

With the growth of poker on the internet, more and more players are seeking ways to improve their game. Most are reading articles and books and many are joining sites that provide information and instruction, while still others hire private coaches. Their general goal is to detect and eliminate weaknesses (leaks) in their game and to add strategies to combat the growing number of players who are rapidly acquiring table experience, improved skills and significant bankrolls. But do these individuals actually gain from taking this path to become poker champions, or is it all hype?

As the Dean of the PokerSchoolOnline (PSO), I am continually amazed at the level of competition shown by our students. The learning curve is dramatic and players find they are achieving their successes at a greatly accelerated pace. Even notes taken on a new members' game are quickly outdated and replaced in just a matter of weeks, as the students take advantage of our available training resources. These provided sources include lessons, quizzes, articles, tests, forums, blogs and videos that compliment their play (and the play of others) while in tournaments and cash games. Our mentoring programs, shadow sessions and private instruction aid members in gaining the edge they need to advance to new plateaus toward becoming more consistent winners.

Individuals that are serious about making poker playing a second stream of income, or optimistically a first, quickly conclude that "learning" their craft is essential to becoming a winning player. Making mistakes in a "school" environment is advisable before taking individual bankrolls to the "live," real money tables. Poker school is where beginner and more talented poker player's experiment and test strategies they learn from various teaching methods available to them. They quickly find out what works and what does not, and by facing quality opponents, they learn to measure their successes or failures. Stats are readily available to project and track trends which aid students to gain an understanding of where they need help. Ranking systems, leaderboards, bankroll management and analysis are the helpful tools to understand and determine how much progress is being made. Unfortunately, some players find poker is not all fun and games and there is a lot of work to undertake if reality is to meet expectations.

Often players who have advanced their thinking and are working on levels 2, 3 or 4 engage others for reciprocal "shadowing" sessions. During these times, players share frank and useful advice providing a "validation" for their completed play. Decision making actions are analyzed and alternative conclusions are discussed for later implementation. Having a skilled observer providing immediate feedback can prevent a player from changing the proper way to play a hand when someone gets "lucky" against them. When having the best hand, it remains paramount to get your chips in the pot while getting opponents to continue play even with marginal odds.

Suck-outs occur in all poker; from real money ring games in card rooms to tournament play on the internet, it happens. In the PSO free play area players learn why a suck out occurs and how to keep the emotional control vital to learning how to cope with real-time losses from questionable play.

The real bonus while playing at a site, such as PSO, is the offer of a wide variety of promotions where students can earn sponsorship points (sps), redeemable at most participating "live" casinos. Player's simply earn 500 sps and PSO will then wire their entry request directly to the casino cashier who will readily accept the PSO money transfer. This is 100% legal. Our members have participated in WSOP and WPT events year-round and their successes have resulted in more than 3 million dollars in winnings. Members achieving game successes can also be rewarded with tangible winnings while playing in Skill Based Leagues, Championship Series events, Bounty and Loyalty Tournaments, and so much more.

Come see what all the excitement is about and while you are at it, take your game to the next level. I can assure you, you will not be disappointed. Use the referral by code "alspath" and I will randomly select one registered new member and provide him or her, a free, one-on-one, private instruction session.

The only question left to answer is, "are you ready to get it started?"

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About the Author:
Al Spath is the "Dean" at PokerSchoolOnline and has authored the "Poker Journal." In addition to having one place for all your poker records, you'll get advice and tips on reading hands, playing live, reading tells and so much more (www.alspath.com). Al's poker expertise, coupled with his insight and ability to communicate effectively to both large and smaller sized audiences, make him an ideal speaker for any company, convention, college, or organizational group venue.

Comments to: AlSpath@pokerschoolonline.com

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