Best Poker Pro Blogs to Follow and Learn
Beyond social media snippets and forum posts, many professional poker players maintain blogs where they share more in-depth thoughts on strategy, their poker journeys, and the mental game. Following these blogs can be an incredible source of learning and inspiration. Here's a look at why these blogs are valuable and a (fictional, for this example) list of some types of blogs you might look for.
Disclaimer: The specific blogs and bloggers mentioned below are illustrative examples. Always search for current and reputable sources.
Why Follow Poker Pro Blogs?
- In-Depth Strategy: Blogs allow for longer-form content than social media, enabling pros to delve deeper into complex strategic concepts, hand breakdowns, and theoretical discussions.
- Personal Journeys and Mindset: Many pros share their personal experiences, including their ups and downs, how they manage variance, and their approach to continuous improvement and mental fortitude.
- Behind-the-Scenes Insights: Get a glimpse into the lifestyle of a professional poker player, their study habits, travel experiences, and thoughts on the evolving poker landscape.
- Diverse Perspectives: Different pros specialize in various games (No-Limit Hold'em, PLO, Mixed Games) and formats (cash games, tournaments, online, live), offering a wide range of insights.
Examples of Poker Pro Blogs to Look For (Illustrative)
While the poker world is dynamic and bloggers change, here are some archetypes of valuable pro blogs to seek out. Try searching for players known for these qualities:
1. The Strategic Mastermind's Blog (e.g., 'Advanced Poker Concepts')
Focus: High-level game theory, advanced mathematical concepts, solver analysis, and exploiting opponent tendencies. Often written by players known for their deep theoretical understanding and success in tough games. Can be challenging but incredibly rewarding for serious students of the game.
What you might learn: Nuances of GTO play, exploitative adjustments, advanced betting strategies, understanding ranges in-depth.
2. The Tournament Crusher's Diary (e.g., 'On The Tournament Trail')
Focus: Experiences from the live and online tournament circuit, specific hand histories from major events, ICM considerations, final table strategy, and coping with the pressures of high-stakes MTTs. Ideal for players looking to improve their tournament game.
What you might learn: Adjustments for different tournament stages, bubble play, insights into specific player pools, bankroll management for MTTs.
3. The Mindset Guru's Musings (e.g., 'The Mental Edge Poker')
Focus: Psychological aspects of poker, tilt control, maintaining focus, goal setting, overcoming fear, and building resilience. Often run by players who have emphasized the importance of the mental game in their own success.
What you might learn: Techniques for emotional regulation, developing a growth mindset, routines for optimal performance, dealing with downswings constructively.
4. The Niche Game Specialist's Corner (e.g., 'PLO Profits' or 'Mixed Game Mastery')
Focus: Strategies and insights specific to less common poker variants like Pot-Limit Omaha, Stud, Razz, or other mixed games. Invaluable for players looking to expand beyond No-Limit Hold'em.
What you might learn: Fundamental differences from NLHE, starting hand selection in PLO, common mistakes in mixed games, specific strategies for draw games, etc.
5. The Poker Lifestyle & Journey Blog (e.g., 'Grind and Grow')
Focus: A more personal account of a poker player's life, including their study habits, travel, personal development, and the day-to-day realities of playing poker for a living. Can be very motivational and provide a balanced view of the poker pro life.
What you might learn: Time management for poker players, balancing poker with life, insights into different poker cultures, the importance of continuous learning.
Tips for Finding and Utilizing Pro Blogs
- Search Reputable Poker News Sites: Major poker news outlets often feature or link to blogs from well-known professionals.
- Follow Pros on Social Media: They often link to their blog posts from their social media profiles.
- Check Training Site Coaches: Many poker training sites have coaches who also maintain personal blogs.
- Engage Respectfully: If a blog has a comments section, contribute thoughtful questions or comments.
- Take Notes: Treat valuable blog posts like study material. Take notes and think about how you can apply the lessons to your own game.