Puzzles/games to assist in improving poker skill?

bkholdem · #1 06-27-2005, 12:17 PM

Anyone out there with good insight on this? I'm wondering about mental/psychological 'cross training'. What would be some good games/puzzles, etc. to do/practice with and why?

I.E. crossword puzzles, rubix cube type puzzles, chess, etc.

I'm wondering if it is more +EV to study/practice with some of those things as opposed to only studing poker. Thoughts?

YoungOne · #2 06-27-2005, 12:27 PM

I once read that watching grass grows helps (meaning patience) Just a new player and haven't tried it though. I might in the future, if i turn out to be a losing player. [img]/images/graemlins/smile.gif[/img]

krimson · #3 06-27-2005, 03:59 PM

I don't have insight on this, but I would imagine that speed chess will help you make quick logical decisions and that RTS games will help with multi-tasking awareness. Both skills helpful for multi-tabling.

Dan Mezick · #4 06-27-2005, 07:52 PM

Trading. Trading systems development.

Virtual Trading Competitions.
http://game.marketwatch.com/Competit...titionHome.asp

kyleb · #5 06-27-2005, 08:26 PM

Reading books that have no relevance to your game of choice is always a good idea. It broadens your horizons and you might reflect on something in that game that helps your specific game you like to play.

For example, reading Ray Zee's High/Low Split Poker really improved my NLHE game through the discussion of odds and drawing hands.

Spaded · #6 06-28-2005, 01:55 AM

[ QUOTE ]
For example, reading Ray Zee's High/Low Split Poker really improved my NLHE game through the discussion of odds and drawing hands.

[/ QUOTE ]

But don't just read a book on hi/lo if you want to improve your holdem game! Theory of Poker is broad enough [img]/images/graemlins/tongue.gif[/img]

neorab · #7 06-28-2005, 01:59 AM

[ QUOTE ]
Reading books that have no relevance to your game of choice is always a good idea. It broadens your horizons and you might reflect on something in that game that helps your specific game you like to play.

For example, reading Ray Zee's High/Low Split Poker really improved my NLHE game through the discussion of odds and drawing hands.

[/ QUOTE ]

I take that even further, I find that reading a novel between readings of poker books to help keep my mind sharp, even that it does nothing poker spacific. On the other hand, maybe I just do it to get my mind off poker once in a while... now I'm not so sure.

NeverFold · #8 06-28-2005, 10:39 AM

I bought World Championship Poker for X-Box about a month ago. It has various games that use 3 cards such as Pineapple, Crazy Pineapple, Tahoe and Superholdem. I find that playing these games has improved my holdem game because trying to read an opponents 2 card hand is a lot easier that a 3 card hand.

hurlyburly · #9 06-28-2005, 04:09 PM

I took up guitar, but I think any musical instrument would be good. Uses most of the same skills (patience, dedication, instrospection) in a complementary way.

warlockjd · #10 06-28-2005, 08:34 PM

[ QUOTE ]
reading a novel between readings of poker books to help keep my mind sharp

[/ QUOTE ]

I find this funny because I read novels when I DON'T feel like thinking at all. Kind of like watching TV for me. Then again, I grew up without a TV, but I digress....

Speed chess makes the most sense to me. Perhaps multitabling yahoo speed chess games would be good practice, especially for multitabling...