I guess this question is in the right location... if its not just move it to where it needs to be.

I've been playing poker pretty seriously for about 1 1/2 yrs now. I've made the move from 50NL all the way to 200NL. I've beat every limit i've played including some 400NL shots (but not a big sample at all). I've studied the game in pretty much every way possible. I started out with books, then 2p2, then video coaching (card runners / deuces cracked), and then I hired a coach for one small hour session when i was breaking even.

I've heard many people talk about the benefits of coaching, videos, reading 2p2... and other various ways of improving...

My question is, if anyone can speak from experience... what is the best way you as a poker player have found to improve?

In my personal experience with a coach, i only had one session... and things went really fast. However, I learned a few new concepts that I was immediately able to put into use.

My experience with video coaching (DC,CR etc) is good. However, over time I started to realize that even though the videos are good, a lot of them only pertain to the person playing's session. Like for example when I would watch whitelime play 1KNL and 3b 15% of his hands... is that really profitable at 100NL and 200NL?

I've also heard in an interview featuring andrew robl, that the best way to imrpove is to play an insane amnt of hands and constantly talk to friends you know are better than you or just as good.

Anyways, this is getting lengthy... any feedback or help is appreciated

You´re on the right track to realize that whitlime´s 1k vids wont help you AT ALL.

- watch vids that suit you. Try to identify situations you have problems with and ask questions, post hands about them.

I think your problem is that you haven´t found your real leaks. If i´m you, i´d go through my DB and check where you can improve.

Besides that, i can also only give you the folklore of what you´ve already said yourself.

Before you hire a coach though, think about what you want. If the coach has to find that out for you, you better have a good coach.

hmm thx

In my opinion, finding other players on your level to talk strategy and review hands with is the the best way to improve. Send private messages to people on the forums that play similar levels to you and ask if they want to chat on IM or Skype. And it's free.

perhaps you could post this in the relevant nl forum too

Pretty much Poker Stove, I think I've spent more time stoving ranges than reading books and I learned more from analyzing board textures and assigning my equity than anything else. Being a "mathy" player really helps in the long run, IMO.

thanks so much for the responses guys

I agree with the fellow posters. I recently started reading a lot of books and reevaluating all of my hands from hold'em manager. I think once you see why you did some things and figure out what mistakes you are making you are going to improve. Videos that you watch will open you up to new concepts that may or may not relate to your limits. You should ask yourself if that move would work against you. If it does then I think it would be profitable for you. I read a book and the first thing it says is that you should not use any of these concepts against donks because they will not work against them. I love that line because it is very truthful. Just try to expose yourself to different plays and see if it works against you. If it does use it against other solid regulars in your game.

whitelime probably 3-bets a little more than he should from the blinds but overall he's an extremely good player and watching his videos will improve your play a lot.