[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!