Let’s talk about what I call “Poker R&D.” Companies know that to keep growing, they need to re-invest some of their profits in research and development. In other words, finding new products and improving old ones. They need to do this because the opposition is improving as well.

You need to do this poker. You need to keep improving your game, your thought process and your emotional responses. How do you do this?

First, keep reading and thinking about poker. Review your sessions, looking not for bad beats but ways you could have made better plays or better laydowns. Review your results with a poker pal or coach to find things and strategies you have not considered.

Get out of your comfort zone. Step up in limits once in a while and see how they play at the next level. Can you play here? If not, is it bankroll or skill? Look for a higher game in which some people you already know are not great players are already playing. Join it.

Look for a game you can afford with some players you respect in it. Join it, even though there are better games around. In every game, watch the best players. Do they play the same hands you do? Do they make the same plays? Do they always seem to fold one round sooner than you do? Modeling excellent players is one of the keys to improvement.

Ask good players (respectfully) about a play or hand. Do not fight when you hear the answer, even if you don’t agree with it. Thing about it and decide.

Try something new, even it you might lose a bit. Try a bluff raise on the river (for example).

Now that the new year is approaching, take stock of your game. Write down your 5 biggest weaknesses. (Can’t think of any weaknesses? Then why are you not winning a ton of money? Unlucky dealers?) Decide how to address then.

Here is an example. I have been making several calls on the river by momentum. I have not slowed down and decided whether this call was really a good one. I am working on that, and will continue to do that throughout 2006.

What will you work on?