How to Build a Poker Study Routine (and Stick to It)

This easy-to-follow guide to building a study routine will show you how to study poker, walking you through building a schedule that works for you, even if you’ve got a full-time job or limited time in which to implement it. We’ll cover setting goals, practical study methods, time management, and how to stay consistent without burning out.

Let’s start the lesson.

Why a Study Routine Matters in Poker

The difference between average players and long-term winners isn’t just talent, it’s intention. Many poker players hit a plateau in the game because they think playing more hands equals improvement. They don’t consider utilizing the right poker study tools or work out where to study poker at home or on the road.

Without studying your leaks, patterns, and decisions, you’re just reinforcing your mistakes.

That’s where a structured poker study routine comes in. It gives you the edge to refine your decision-making, plug leaks, and build habits that last. Over time, the small improvements stack up… and they’ll help you start beating your competition.

The First Step – Define Your Goals

Before diving into videos or solvers, take a step back. Ask yourself: What do I want out of poker? Are you grinding microstakes cash games to move up? Or are you looking to crush low-stakes tournaments on weekends? Maybe you want to go pro. Whatever your ambitions are, your goals will define your study schedule so be honest with your ideal scenario and how much time you can commit to creating it.

Your study routine should reflect your goals and lifestyle. If you work 40 or more hours a week, planning to study three hours daily isn’t realistic. Start small. Even two 30-minute sessions a week can make a difference if you’re consistent, so build a plan you can stick to. If anything, be conservative. Under promise and over deliver – it will build your confidence and give you room for improvement, rather than unrealistic expectations you can’t live up to.

Components of a Good Poker Study Routine

A balanced routine will mix poker theory with periods of reflection, and active discussion between you and either experienced coaches or supportive peers.

Here’s what to include:

Hand History Reviews

One of the best ways to learn is by reviewing your own play. Use poker analysis tools such as PokerTracker or Hold’em Manager to go through your most recent session and look at what you did right or wrong. You can often access built-in replays on your chosen poker site, too. Start with hands where you felt unsure or lost big pots, so note these with timestamps during the game session then they’ll be easy to revisit in your post-game analysis.

Look for patterns. Are you folding too much to three-bets? Could you be calling too light on the river? Over time, you’ll notice leaks and gain clarity on how to fix them.

Watching Strategy Content

There’s no shortage of great videos and courses out there but passive watching won’t move the needle. Choose quality content that matches your level and take notes as you watch. After you’ve watched the course session or training video, pause and reflect. Ask yourself, What did I learn? Can I apply this to my own game today? That’s how theory turns into real progress at the felt.

Reading and Theory Work

Books, blogs, and articles all have their place in the modern poker study routine. Classic poker books like Modern Poker Theory or Applications of No-Limit Hold’em or the many theory books written by Tight Poker’s Dara O’Kearney can deepen your understanding of concepts like range construction or ICM.

If you’re newer, focus on one topic at a time – say, c-betting or blind defense – and stick with it for a couple of weeks. GTO solvers are great, but don’t worry if they feel advanced. Start simple and move forward at your own pace.

Discussion and Community Learning

Poker doesn’t have to be a solo grind. Talking through hands with others on 2+2, Discord, Reddit, or in a study group can really sharpen your thinking. Someone might spot something you missed or offer a new way to see a hand. Fresh perspectives can do two things; teach you something new or reinforce your own opinion with solid evidence. Often, when studying poker, both these things can happen.

Don’t just post hands looking for answers, engage with other! Ask questions, share thoughts, and try to explain your reasoning. Teaching is one of the best ways to learn.

Sample Weekly Study Routine (Beginner–Intermediate Player)

If you’ve got 4–6 hours a week, here’s a simple plan to get started:

• Monday: 30 mins reviewing 5–10 marked hands using PokerTracker
• Wednesday: 30 mins watching a video on c-betting and writing three takeaways
• Friday: 30 mins browsing hand discussions or taking a quiz on sites such as Flopzilla or Red Chip Poker)
• Weekend: One-hour deep dive into a concept (e.g., pot odds, bluff-catching)

This mix gives you variety without overload. The key is showing up each week – even when life gets busy.

How to Stay Consistent and Avoid Burnout

The secret to sticking with your poker study routine? Keep it light and flexible.

Some days, all you’ll have energy for is a 10-minute hand review. That’s okay. What matters is building momentum. Try using tools like Notion, Trello, or even a simple notebook to track what you’ve studied. That way, you stay accountable without pressure.

Alternate between ‘light’ and ‘deep’ study days. For example, watch a quick video midweek, then do your hand review or reading on the weekend when you have more brainpower. This keeps poker fun and will make your study plan sustainable.

Mistakes to Avoid When Building a Study Routine

Here are a few traps that can derail your progress if you fall into them:

• Trying to learn too much at once: Focus on one area like flop play or three-bet defense for a week or two. Don’t jump around different subjects too much – you could miss the information that will improve you in that area of study.
• Only watching videos: Without reflection or note-taking, watching turns into entertainment. Always follow up with some kind of review and you’ll make absorbing visual content an active prompt rather than it becoming more fun but increasingly passive.
• Copying someone else’s routine: Just because a professional player you admire studies for four hours a day and drinks green tea on the hour doesn’t mean you need to. Your routine should fit your life, not theirs.

Final Thoughts

Here’s the bottom line: your poker study routine doesn’t need to be perfect. It just needs to be consistent and tailored to your goals. Make sure that when you set out your goals, you know that with a little work you can reach them, and that the parameters can then be expanded for more improvement.

Focus on small, regular efforts that stack up over time. Track your progress on an app or in physical note form. Reflect on what you’re learning at all times and don’t forget that studying poker should feel rewarding, not like homework in high school.

The best poker players aren’t the ones who study the hardest. They’re the ones who keep showing up and study smartest even when it’s just 20 minutes at a time, on regular days. If your schedule demands that you study three days a week, that’s fine – just never miss those days. Treat your poker studies with seriousness and application and you can’t fail to improve.