How Good Are You

[Vito_Nuccio]

Here is an interesting question. Where do you rate yourself on poker knowledge and expertise?

[liladypokerpro]

Unfortunately, I cannot vote on any of these because I think, I study, I learn, and I play well, but I would by no means consider myself to be an Expert or a pro. I think even the pros still learn a thing or two now and then, so I feel like I will always learn something with every new hand or game.

[frob23]

I put veteran with the exception that I still study a lot. There's always room to improve.

But I put veteran because a lot of times I do get the "been there, done that" feeling while playing. I've turned a royal flush before and had the reaction of, "Neat... another royal." Of course, with that comes a lot of "this is familiar" feelings when playing. There are a lot of times when I make what seems to be an insane call because the whole situation feels like one I have been in many times before and calling is right. There was also another thread where I mentioned a live game where I thought cheating was going on... and that was just because something in that game was off... and not familiar.

I've played for years and years... and play tons of hands over those years... so I've seen almost everything. Well, there are some exceptions that I've read about (like quad Aces on the flop losing to the royal flush)... but sometimes I wonder if I would be that shocked to see it in person.

I also think veteran implies a certain experience with a ton of variations. There are very few house or game rules that I would be uncomfortable playing with because I've played most of them and have some idea of how they change strategy. I've played in games where action didn't have to be in turn (anyone can bet at any time), games with open-stakes and no side pots, games with 8+ wild cards, games where 4 card flushes and 4 card straights had value... and so on. I really think that, if you took an online player and sat him (or her) down in a crazy dealer's choice home game with spread limits or open-stakes... they would have a very hard time holding their own.

[rob999]

I'm one of the best all around players in the world. No joke.

Rob999

[Fictive]

Unfortunately, I cannot vote on any of these because I think, I study, I learn, and I play well, but I would by no means consider myself to be an Expert or a pro. I think even the pros still learn a thing or two now and then, so I feel like I will always learn something with every new hand or game.

Funny, your post is very close to exactly what I was planning on typing. Well, apart from the heart anyways... Nowdays I don't study the game as much I did a few years back, but I still go through my sessions once I've put my hand histories to PokerTracker. I skim through my stats, and then study the "biggest" hands of the session carefully and try to think how I could've won more/lost less.

[MrToymaker]

I'll be a expert when I get as old as Doyle Brunson and play as long as him. Till then I'm still learning and gaining experience. I got bout 30 more years to go LOL

[PointerJake]

Ive been thinking a lot about this post and im the best. Right we all are

[Latrocinium]

I've read the post. I understand some of the feelings frob is talking about. You have this deja vu while you're playing a hand. So you bet or fold accordingly, and it seems to pay off.

But on the same token. Some of the situations are new. I like to watch the hands. I sort of do my own narrations. Oh it's gonna hurt. or bet ya did'nt see that crap. The list goes on...lol

My reading of hands/person tends to be strong/ weak vs the actual hand. I need to work on this. Been trying.

In home games. I was just sort of a natural. It seemed more like talking with the chips than playing cards. But I was consistent. Consistent enough to rely on the money as additional income. Oooh those were some bad days with the ole lady.lol.
I was also making consistent money on ring games at poker room...Used to fluctuate on partypoker.(Always blamed thier players, but maybe. lol) Then the whole poker players are terrorist thing, and all my money's in hold. lol.
So I took a break

I have a lot of holes that I study to fill, and play a lot of hands to fill the gaps in experience.
So I'm comfortable with being a rookie/journeyman for a lil while. I'm a tweener.

I need to learn more. I literaly just started tracking my stats consistently.

Lederer said it takes 10 yrs of solid play to become a true pro.

Back then I played live, and tried to use online play to supplement my lack of experience really playing poker. By that I mean, the point that you read your first book and realized that there was a way to manipulate the outcome. It was'nt just dumb luck. Not negating the luck factor.

So what's 10yrs in online time? lmao

[BUILDMO]

and then there are those who think luck rule

how do they study luck?

[iceveins0901]

I voted Journeyman, I have began to study the game somewhat casually over the past 2 years, and I am "successfull" but I dont win all the time, and I dont crush any particular game.

[Brooklynbum]

To be honest.

It really depends.

Some days I really feel like I don't know anything about poker or do I know what the heck I'm doing.

Other times, I feel that I'm playing real good and that I'm making all the right reads and moves.

I always feel like I should strive to learn and know more about poker because it's always evolving and every situation is toally different from another situation.

I would say I'm a veteran but I'm always willing to learn and study more. If you stop learning you've stopped growing - that's my opinion at least.

[Vito_Nuccio]

To be honest.

It really depends.

Some days I really feel like I don't know anything about poker or do I know what the heck I'm doing.

Other times, I feel that I'm playing real good and that I'm making all the right reads and moves.

I always feel like I should strive to learn and know more about poker because it's always evolving and every situation is toally different from another situation.

I would say I'm a veteran but I'm always willing to learn and study more. If you stop learning you've stopped growing - that's my opinion at least.

I could not have said it better, thanks for perfect answer.
Every situation is different in poker, that is one of the gems of the game.