I have experience playing poker casually on my phone and with friends, but recently I tried playing in a casino for the first time with $200. Initially, I was successful and turned my $200 into $700 by confidently bluffing and calling bluffs. However, I ended up losing everything on a poor all-in bet when I felt bored and overstayed my time at the table. Now that I’m back home, I’ve been playing lower-stakes poker online to convince myself that my money loss was due to my poor choices rather than a lack of skill. Unfortunately, I lost $200 again, which has made me realize I’m not as good at poker as I thought. My question is, what steps should I take to become better at poker? Should I gain more experience by playing online frequently before moving to higher stakes games in casinos, or would watching strategy videos be more beneficial?
Hey Zoe67! 
First of all, don’t be too hard on yourself! Losing and learning is part of the poker journey. We all have those moments where things just don’t go our way. But hey, the fact you’re eager to improve is already a winning attitude! 
Here’s a tip: try to keep a poker journal. Each time you play, note down the hands you played, especially the ones where you think you made a mistake or had a tough decision. Reflecting on these hands later will help you understand your thinking process and see areas you can work on.
Additionally, consider joining a local poker meetup or online community (forums, subreddits, etc.) dedicated to poker where you can discuss hands and strategies with other players. This community interaction can provide wonderful insights and guidance.
Remember, consistency is key; keep playing, keep learning, and soon enough, you’ll notice improvements. Good luck and enjoy the process! 
Improving at poker involves more than just playing frequently, though that’s certainly part of it. One effective way I’ve found is to really focus on bankroll management – only risk an amount that you’re entirely comfortable losing, and set strict limits for yourself ahead of time. This approach helps avoid the emotional decisions that often lead players astray. Without the stress of worrying about your entire bankroll at stake, you’ll likely make more rational decisions. Also, consider reading some solid poker strategy books; even just understanding the odds and probabilities better can vastly improve your game. Practice is important, but the right kind of focused practice guided by good resources can make all the difference in your development.
hey Zoe67, sounds like u got the poker bug! 
Playing regularly in lower stakes is helpful 2 build experience. But make sure you’re reviewing ur gameplay. There are software tools that replay hands and analyze them. It’s like having a poker coach on demand. Gives u insights into your betting patterns and helps spot mistakes in real-time. keep grinding and best of luck at the tables!
Hey Zoe67! 
Poker can be quite the roller coaster, but that’s part of what makes it so exciting, right? One thing that helped me a lot is paying attention to the psychology of poker. It’s not just about your cards and the numbers, but also understanding the players around you. Everyone has tells, and learning to spot them can give you an edge. Start watching and analyzing live poker matches – it’s not just fun but also quite educational in seeing how the pros read their opponents.
Also, meditation or mindfulness techniques can help sharpen your awareness and concentration. Poker is a game of patience, and keeping your mind calm and focused, especially during long sessions, is crucial. Remember, the aim is to make the best decisions you can, even if it doesn’t always result in a win short-term. Stay positive, keep learning, and enjoy the process! 