Are we distracted by the forums?

[Running Like God]

What I mean here is, and not wanting to sound negative, but at the start of our learning process we need to spend a lot of time studying. Now, I agree that the forums are an excellent form of this, but there is a lot of cr*p that is distracting to the developing player. Take for example the array of advice to any one of the micro-stakes threads on Leggo. All varying in their style, and not very often agreeing. Yes, I agree that you cannot play poker in a robotic format, and that means you need to adapt your game to suit certain player types. I suppose what I am really trying to get at is the level of knowledge that some of the volunteering advisors offer is questionable.

While having an array of willing advisors is what the forums are all about, it is easy to take the lower quality, and to be quite frank, fishy advice, into our subconscious. We might actually realise that this advice is incorrect, or we may not, but we are still absorbing the information.

Personally, I would like to advise those that are taking the time to read this, a few things to help in their development. I say this having spent a lot of time on the forums, and can confidently say that my game has improved beyond recognition since I seriously started learning the game with the help of Leggo (and I am not saying I am some superstar either, just that I have identified a few things that have helped me, and I'm happy to share this).

First off, identify who the regular voicing members are that you feel are offering sound advice. Keep an eye on them and their responses. At this point you will need to get a little active and try contacting a couple of them. You can normally find their Skype details or email on their profile page. Most forum guys are really approachable and willing to help. Once you are here, be cheeky and bounce some names off these guys and see who they think you should be listening to. And then filter out all the rubbish. Do not read the articles by people you know are bad. Why would you want to dilute sound advice with that???

Secondly, remember that a big proportion of your time should be spent analysing your hands, and at some point you will look at them and say 'wtf did I do that for!', and you will realise you're on the right track.

You should be doing this and watching some of Leggo's amazing videos too. But, beware!!! And I have been guilty of this. By all means watch the latest exciting video by AE Jones (or whoever), but realise his style works for the stakes he is playing, and most winning players at the micros do what could possibly classified as boring, straightforward, ABC poker! The donks you find on the 5nl, 10nl, 25nl & 50nl don't know what they are doing, and most of the time won't do what they should to one of AEJ's lines of attack.

Basically, what I'm saying is ignore the less developed players and learn from the winners, for the game you are playing. O yeah, and get some sweat sessions in with players who are at the next level up from you!

[robbyd86]

good post imo,

I semi-agree w/ you. There's been times where i've totally changed my game based on advice given to me in the forums. Sometimes it was bad, sometimes it was good. The trick is to apply the appropriate things which i think is the point you are trying to make.

Furthermore, members, do not be discouraged from posting. You won't learn nearly as fast if you aren't posting yourself, and getting corrected in your thought process. It's true that some advice can be harmful but I've been active on Leggo for almost one year now w/ over 2200 posts and i can tell you honestly, that i would not be even 10% the player I am today if I didn't post like a madman for my first 6-8 months here. I'm not saying that I'm great by any means, but by posting a lot I've taken in a lot of info that is generally good for my game.

I think also by being more active you learn to identify what's good for your game and what's not going to work. The more info you have, the better decisions you will make, period!

So anyways, don't be afraid to post, and more experienced plrs/posters please don't berate beginners, we were all once new to forums and poker and probably weren't the most "forum savvy" either. At least i know I wasn't. I look at my first posts from time to time just to have a good chuckle.

Thx, post on

[Running Like God]

Robby, Robby, Robby, don't get me wrong, I am not saying not to post, actually quite the opposite, but it was more about being selective about who's advice you take. I would encourage all new members to post like mad. Just try to identify members who know what they are talking about. That way the forum members get quality feedback.

tbh, I bearly feel that I am educated enough to offer advice to these deserving people, yet there are people offering advice as if they are experts who have only been playing for a few months. Now surely thats not going to help any newb.

So, post, post, post, but identify the good from the bad!

And thanks for the compliment

[robbyd86]

Wasn't saying you were discouraging posters, just wanted to clarify

[Running Like God]

LOL, thanks for saying it though, it made me realise that I didn't say anything about the fact that people should post, especially new members! I do know of members that have felt embarassed to post, which they shouldn't! Geez, we've all been there, and the old members really want to help.

[Maximus13]

bh, I bearly feel that I am educated enough to offer advice to these deserving people, yet there are people offering advice as if they are experts who have only been playing for a few months. Now surely thats not going to help any newb.

Its ok cj you can just say my name

[Running Like God]

Originally Posted by Maximus13

Its ok cj you can just say my name

LOL, not at all, you are one of the good guys

[RikaKazak]

Sometimes I actually learn the most from "bad advice"....I try something out, it backfires in my face, and while it does cost me money maybe that week/month...over the "long run" it actually saves me money cause I learn "why" it's a bad idea.

But I do get your point...I would just recommend maybe being "picky" about who you adjust your play from based on their recommendations

[dudu]

I'm not sure how productive it is to label sum1 a bad player, and this ignore their posts.

I've been on these forums for about 2 months, and for sure there are some posters I've come 2 appreciate and trust more than others. However, all that means is that when I read a post by sum1 who's opinion I'm not overly trusting of, i'll analyze it a bit more and actively dissect it and it's benefits. On the other hand, when I see a post from sum1 I trust, there's a tendency to take it for gospel that the best play is x or y. Thus a critical analysis of the hand or situation in question can be lacking.

IMO we're all here to learn how to think about the game, so a bad post only makes me think more about why it's bad. Being told that "when u have x you do y" is not productive.

[Probability]

good post. you can also search for peoples latest posts if you feel they are very good or something.