1. Record the situation
Before reviewing a hand, write down the game variant, positions, blinds, stack sizes, and the action so far. A decision cannot be evaluated from the final result alone.
2. Understand position
Position determines when you act. Acting later gives you access to earlier players’ actions. Before the flop in Texas Hold’em, action begins to the left of the big blind; after the flop it starts with the first remaining player to the left of the dealer button.
3. Separate facts from assumptions
Community cards and recorded bets are facts. An opponent’s possible private cards are uncertain. Consider several plausible holdings rather than assuming one exact hand.
4. Review before the reveal
- Pause a hand video before a decision.
- List the information available at that point.
- Write down what each possible action might accomplish.
- Watch the rest and compare your reasoning, not only the outcome.
A single winning hand does not prove a decision was good, and a losing hand does not prove it was bad. Avoid promises of guaranteed profit.