Mindmapping

Introduction

The Problem

Poker is far from a game of pure luck – it requires skill, strategy and tactical ability in order to become a winning player. Texas Hold’em is one of the most complex forms of poker, so possessing substantial knowledge and theory is vital. A good understanding of factors such as pot-odds, strategy and bankroll management is what gives a winning player the advantage over his opponents. In order to develop your game, it’s essential you keep learning and processing information. This article will advise you on how to simplify the learning process.

A beginner will find himself swamped with information, ranging from in-game stats and reads, to advice and theory from videos and various forms of poker literature. He needs an efficient way of processing it and utilizing it to his advantage. The advanced player, meanwhile, has developed so much theory it’s hard to condense and structure it appropriately.

The Solution

This is where mindmapping comes in. Mindmapping, essentially, is nothing more than a technique for taking notes.

A mind map is a diagram used to represent words, ideas, or other items linked to and arranged radially around a central key word or idea (for example Poker). It is used to generate, visualize, structure, and classify ideas, and as an aid in study, organization, problem solving, decision making, and writing. It is an image-centered diagram that represents connections between portions of information. By presenting these connections in a radial, non-linear graphical manner, it encourages a brainstorming approach. It’s about making associations between new and old information / knowledge, and re-enforcing them. Here is an example of spontaneously connected terms for the keyword "poker" presented as a mindmap:

The technique

Mindmapping is a more creative process than traditional note taking. Mindmaps are not written, they are "drawn." The image above is an example of a mindmap.

Here are the steps:
1. Start with a picture in the centre of a page in a landscape orientation (wider side at the top and bottom). The picture represents your main idea (two high valued cards, such as AK, may symbolize Poker). Use abstract art if you like. Use several colours, if possible, to make your central image more captivating and to give it some dimension.
2. Extend a number of branches from the central image. Each branch should be thick as though it were a tree branch extending from the trunk. Write a single word or draw a picture on each branch to express an aspect of your main idea.
3. Now draw more branches extending from the first row of branches on your Mind Map. Again, write single words or draw pictures on each branch to expand your ideas.
4. Keep adding branches, words and pictures as your ideas grow and develop.
5. Use bright colored markers to make your mind map more memorable and more beautiful. Use a different colour for each branch.
6. Print your words so that you can read and note your points quickly. You will remember them better this way.
7. Place your mind maps in your daily organizer. Review them and add to them regularly.

Things to remember:

- Although mindmaps can be done on the computer, this defeats the object as it hinders the learning process. Drawing with your hands helps store the information in your brain better.

- Mindmapping is a creative process, so always use colours and images that the brain can relate to.

- Mindmapping is unique to the individual because everyone has their own trains of thought, so avoid taking them from other people. It’s fine to take inspiration from another map, but the completed version should be done independently.

- Sub-categories and sections should, ideally, consist of just one word, for simplicity and understanding purposes. Of course, some sections require a lot more detail, so use several branches and try to keep the word count as low as possible.

- Try to group points that relate to the same content together, as it saves repetition. Use boxes and arrows to achieve this. The lines that link various points should not be interrupted, so as to avoid breaking your chain of thought.

Examples of application

Here is an example of some mindmaps, although they are incomplete and only represent extracts from the material. It’s just to give u a basic impression.

Analysis of our own mistakes

In order to become a winning player, you should critique your game regularly. You can make a mindmap to record your own mistakes, either during a session or when you analyze it later. It might look like this example:

Article content: Standard moves

This mindmap may summarize the content provided in the article ‘standard moves’. Here are the standard moves in HU situations, post-flop. Depending on how sophisticated you want the map to be, it may include information on the type of opponents.

Article content: types of opponent

In order to adapt your game accordingly, you should note down information on types of opponent, and this can be summarized on one large sheet (recommended size Din-A3)

Automation of thought processes

Beginners often forget the thought processes that should be running through your mind during every hand. Here is an example of things you should often consider pre-flop and on the flop:

Further possibilities might be equity analysis for individual hand types against different ranges, as these are hard to remember.

Closing remarks

Mindmaps make it possible to illustrate even complex relationships in a clear, attractive, graphical way, although it takes practice. After a while, however, making them will become second-nature. Make sure you repeat the mindmapping process at regular intervals, and then always refer back so the information becomes engrained in your head. Remember, this article only provides a small sample of topics that can be transformed into mind maps, it’s important you have your own ideas and inspirations.

Literature and Software

For those who want to delve deeper into the topic of mindmapping, and use it regularly in every day life, here is some literature on the topic:

For a good overview on the subject, try „The Little Mind-Map-Book“

The Little Mind-Map-Book

This is available for just 4 €. If you're looking for something more comprehensive, check out „The Mind Map Book“ by the same author. The Mind Map Book

If you want to make mind maps on your computer (for a presentation or something similar), take a look at "FreeMind".

FreeMind This is the free Java program I used to put together the examples for this article.