Continuing from last time. To recap, I mentioned these techniques to approach poker problems.

• Solve a more specific problem
• Solve a more general problem
• Make the problem easier
• Solve a similar problem

Solve a more specific problem. We are already pretty good at this technique. "Plugging in numbers" and figuring stuff out is a technique we've used since grade school to solve math and science problems. The analysis of a single hand is an example of this that is well practiced. But there are also other ways to get your hands dirty. Do EV calculations by hand. Sometimes you can analyze a hand to death theoretically. But also try making some assumptions about the situation, plug in some %'s and figure out the EV of different options. It often gives some new insight, or at worst confirms existing beliefs.

Solve a more general problem. This is the modern approach to poker. Instead of considering how to maximize EV in a single hand, approach the problem in terms of ranges. Next time you're stuck in a tough hand, generalize it to a range problem. In a given hand there are often multiple close options, especially on later streets. Asking how you play other hands in the situation often results in illuminating insights.

Make the problem easier.This is kind of the reverse of the last point. Suppose you know villain's rough hand range. Even in this case the best play may not be obvious (to go further, even if villain's hand is faceup the optimal play is sometimes not obvious). Rather than figure out how to optimize against his range, make the problem easier and find the optimal play against a single hand. For example, how do you maximize river bet sizing against his weak bluff catchers? How do you choose a bet sizing to induce a c/r?

Solve a similar problem. Often you can learn much more from a hand than how to play that exact hand again. Changing perspectives is always helpful. Put yourself in villain's shoes. Do you like his line? Would you lose the same amount of $ in the situation? What if the history was different? What do you do with other hands here? How do you react to different bet sizes? All are worthwhile questions to ask yourself.

Also just finished a video. It's the 1st of 6-max series I did at 1/2. I actually haven't played 6-max in over 6 weeks but I played great and wasn't rusty. Also brainstorming ideas for my next theory type video. Theory videos are a ton of work, and sometimes feels like it's giving away too much info. But I don't mind that since it doesn't give away that much info about my own game.