The right way to study poker – it’s not just about solvers

Studying poker is one of the trickiest parts of the game because there are so many ways to do it.
Many players, especially at mid-stakes, become obsessed with solvers. It’s fancy technology, and you can make it as complex as you want, so people often equate that with better results.
They dream of becoming top-level players and believe solvers are the reason those players made it.

Solvers are a powerful study tool, and anyone serious about improving should use them.
But they’re not everything.
If you want to get real results, here’s how to actually study poker in a way that works.

Read 2+2 hand histories

This one sounds simple, but I’ve been doing it for over 10 years.
I go to the 2+2 High Stakes thread before I start my session and look at hands played by top-level opponents.
I ask myself what I would do in their situation and if I see an unusual play, I think about why they made that decision.

Then, I might plug it into a solver to check whether it’s “solver approved,” but even if it’s not, that doesn’t mean it’s a bad play.
Exposing yourself to how the best players in the world approach hands will teach you things you’d never come up with on your own.

Discuss hands with friends

Find a small group of strong poker players you trust. Offer value by sharing your opinions on hands, studying together, and helping each other improve.
Once that trust is there, set up regular study sessions where you talk through spots. Everyone approaches the game a little differently, and it’s good to hear fresh perspectives.

Use solvers (carefully)

Solvers are the trickiest tool by far. When used incorrectly, they can make you worse.

Just because you’re sitting behind a fancy machine doesn’t mean you’ll become elite.
You need to spend real time learning the software and always be critical of the output.

If you’re a beginner or intermediate player, start by running larger sets of hands and identifying patterns to build a basic strategy.
Keep it simple. You might not understand the advanced stuff yet, and that’s fine.

Once you’ve built a solid strategy across most spots, that’s when you start to specialize.
Move away from simplified outputs and study specific situations in depth. You can spend entire sessions, or even weeks, perfecting one spot.

For years, I’ve written knowledge files on specific spots like check-raising out of position from the big blind.
I look at how that spot plays out across all types of boards—sizing, frequency, hand selection, blockers, turn and river plans, deep stacks, everything.
The goal is to understand every detail and refine your game beyond generic sim output.

Watch Live Poker Streams (with Caution)

The average level of play on a high-stakes poker stream isn’t that high, so I wouldn’t blindly copy what you see.

But one of the downsides of solver-based study in combination with online play is that you can become too narrow-minded.
On live streams with deep stacks, straddles, and weaker players, people often make strange plays you won’t see online. They’re thinking outside the box.

And sometimes, it’s good to get out of that box. Watching unusual hands can help you reset bad habits and see the game differently.

Don’t forget to work on your approach

Playing hands better is one thing, but using your skills to make money is another.
Table selection, grinding the right times, playing within your bankroll and picking the right amount of volume are vital for long-term success.
I have seen mediocre players make tons of money, and elite players go broke.
Start by writing a plan, and stick to it. Guessing when a game is good to play and playing when you feel like it is not the optimal way to make money.
These improvements may be boring, but they may boost your win-rate more than studying blockers in a 4-pot ever will.

Get Coached

Coaching isn’t cheap, but if you take it seriously, it’s one of the best investments you can make.

Ideally, you find someone who works with you one-on-one, gets to know your game and personality, and breaks down where you can improve.
A good coach isn’t just a teacher—they’re a mentor.

They’ll help you avoid common mistakes, guide your growth, and hold you accountable.

There’s more than one path to the top of poker. Stay open-minded. Use multiple ways to study. And never lose your curiosity.

I’ve personally taken students from low and mid-stakes to high-stakes crushers who have made millions.
I’m currently looking for a small number of high-potential students to work with. If you’re serious about improving and working together, click the button below and let’s talk.