How to effectively absorb new information in poker?

Learning poker is not only about dissecting theory and working on ranges*. The key is to be able to apply the knowledge you have gained in practice.

In this article, we will discuss:

• why knowledge doesn't turn into skills without practice

• how the brain assimilates information 

• which reinforcement methods work best

• how the community helps maintain focus and stay sharp

• how physical and emotional state affects decision quality

At the end of the article, we will offer specific methods for effective information assimilation, so we recommend reading to the end.

*Range — this is a set (or spectrum) of possible hands in poker with which a player might perform a particular action.

Why knowing does not mean being able

You can spend hours watching training sessions, analysing ranges, and confidently quoting theory, but at the tables, forget everything you’ve learned.

It's not laziness or inattentiveness — it's a natural characteristic of the brain. It doesn't store knowledge as ready-made commands like a flash drive. It forgets, simplifies, ignores what it doesn't perceive as important. 

Within 24 hours without repetition, up to 80% of new information can vanish.

To turn knowledge into skill, it needs to be not only heard — but also lived, understood, and applied. Moreover, not just once, but regularly in different situations. Only then does knowledge become part of a strategy and come into play effortlessly when needed. 

How to work with information so it sticks

Learning poker is not data uploading, but a brain workout. How you interact with the material directly affects the result.

Studies show how the depth of assimilation varies depending on the format:

• Lecture — 5%

• Reading — 10%

• Video or audio — 20%

• Demonstrations — 30%

• Discussions — 50%

• Practice — 75%

• Teaching others — 90%

What's the conclusion? Simply watching training sessions is not enough. For information to stick, it needs to be converted into an active format.

The simplest ways are to work on your game outside of sessions, analyse hands similar to the training topics, return to notes, and discuss the theory with a partner.

Why it's important to maintain good physical condition

When you've slept well, eaten, exercised, and are not overwhelmed by anxiety, your brain functions differently. A good mood reduces cortisol levels, and movement improves oxygen flow to the brain.

This activates the prefrontal cortex — the part of the brain responsible for strategic thinking and control.

In this state you:

• maintain focus

• don't fall into "autopilot"

• act consciously and consistently.

That's how a resourceful game is born — when you really apply knowledge rather than rely on an upswing.

Why community is not just background but a tool

For knowledge to become automatic, the brain must constantly return to it in various contexts. That's why community is not just a chat for socialising, but a powerful learning tool.

When you count other players' hands — you recall theory. When you comment on a controversial hand — you run it through yourself again. When you participate in discussions — you form personal understanding.

Each such return is repetition with comprehension, which strengthens neural connections. Essentially, an active community creates a natural system of constant learning — without burnout and coercion.

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What to do in practice

Let's return to what we promised at the beginning of the article — specific tips that you can apply in practice. 

1. Check your state before a session

Before starting a session, ask yourself: “Am I currently in a resourceful state?” If you're tired, irritated, or hungry — it's better to take a break. Sometimes just 10 minutes of silence, a short walk, or a snack is enough to restore concentration.

Only sit at the tables if you feel confident and energetic. This way, your brain can work at full capacity and better retain information. 

2. Take care of your physical form in advance

Regular sleep, proper nutrition, movement, and rest are the fuel for the brain. Without this, even a perfect strategy won't work.

3. Track how state affects your game

After the session, ask yourself three questions:

— How did I feel before the start?
— At what moments did I lose focus?
— What was happening with my body, emotions, thoughts?

This way, you'll start noticing connections between your internal state and game decisions. This is your “behavioural database”: not generic advice from a video, but specific signals. Sometimes one observation can save dozens of dollars for a tournament entry. 

4. Start an implementation tracker

Record learned strategies in bullet points in a journal and after each session check if you apply the knowledge in real hands.

Evaluate weekly what has become part of the game and what still remains on paper. This helps move knowledge from the conscious zone to the unconscious zone, i.e., automation, useful habit.

Even a brief fixation of thought or attempt to explain it to someone else is already a step towards reinforcement. This active repetition works tens of times better than "watched and moved on."

Conclusion

Effective learning is not just theory, but a systematic approach to forming a knowledge base. Poker requires not only mental application but the right environment — physical, emotional, and intellectual.

Create it for yourself, and you'll notice how knowledge stops fading, and decisions become confident.

At FunFarm, we help players build exactly such a system — where development becomes a natural process, not a struggle against oneself.

Submit your application via the link and join the team of professionals.