Spaced Repetition
Spaced repetition is a scientifically proven memorization system that shows you flashcards at the optimal moment: just before you forget them. Based on the SM-2 algorithm, it adapts to your performance to maximize retention with minimum effort.
Why Spaced Repetition?
Without a review system, you forget 80% of what you learn within 48 hours (Ebbinghaus forgetting curve). Spaced repetition fights this curve by scheduling reminders at increasingly longer intervals:
- Day 1: You learn a concept → first review the next day
- Day 2: You remember → next review in 3 days
- Day 5: You remember → next review in 7 days
- Day 12: You remember → next review in 15 days
- And so on...
Each successful recall strengthens the memory and extends the next interval. After a few weeks, a well-memorized flashcard only comes back monthly, then quarterly.
The SM-2 Algorithm
Poker Toolkit uses a spaced repetition algorithm adapted from SM-2 (SuperMemo 2).
How It Works
Each flashcard has:
- An interval: the number of days before the next review
- An ease factor: a multiplier that increases or decreases based on your performance
After each review, the algorithm adjusts these values based on your response.
Rating System
After seeing the question and revealing the answer, you rate your performance:
| Rating | Meaning | Effect on Interval |
|---|---|---|
| Success | You knew the answer | Interval increases (next review later) |
| Medium | You had an idea but not the exact answer | Interval is slightly reduced |
| Failed | You didn't know the answer | Interval resets (review the next day) |
Be honest in your rating: the system is designed to adapt to your actual level. Overrating your performance will only delay your reminders and you'll forget faster.
Due Cards Badge
A badge appears on the Strategy tab in the Strategy Finder to indicate how many flashcards are due for review today.
How it works:
- The badge displays a number (e.g., "12") showing the number of cards to review
- It updates in real time: when you finish a review, the counter decreases
- When all cards are reviewed, the badge disappears
It's your daily reminder to not skip your review!
Review Sessions
Global Review (All Due Cards)
Global review presents all your due flashcards, regardless of which concept they came from.
How it goes:
- Click the due cards badge or the review button
- Flashcards appear one by one
- For each card:
- Read the question (front)
- Think about the answer
- Reveal the answer (back)
- Rate your performance: Success, Medium, or Failed
- Move to the next card
- Continue until all due cards are reviewed
Per-Concept Review
You can also review flashcards from a specific concept:
- Open the desired concept
- Launch the flashcard review for that concept
- Only due cards from that concept appear
- Same flow as global review
Practice Mode (Training)
Practice mode lets you review flashcards from a concept without affecting the SM-2 scheduling. It's a free-form mode to practice as much as you want.
When to use practice mode:
- You want to review a concept before a poker session
- You want to practice without waiting for cards to be "due"
- You want to test your knowledge on a specific topic
Difference from normal review:
- Normal review updates SM-2 intervals and schedules future reviews
- Practice mode doesn't change the scheduling — it's purely free practice
Session Summary
At the end of each review session, a summary screen appears with your results:
- Number of cards reviewed
- Breakdown: how many Success / Medium / Failed
Streaks
Streaks track your daily review consistency.
How Streaks Work
- +1 day: Each day you review at least one flashcard, your streak increases
- Streak lost: If you don't review for a day, your streak resets to 0
- Display: Your current streak is visible in the interface
Streak Freeze
The streak freeze is a protection mechanism that lets you keep your streak even if you miss a day.
How it works:
- The freeze is applied automatically when you miss a review day
- After use, a one-week cooldown activates before the freeze is available again
- The freeze protects your motivation by preventing the loss of a long streak over a single missed day
Tip
The streak freeze is there for emergencies, not for regularly skipping days. Daily consistency remains the key to effective memorization.
Cards Reviewed Today Counter
A counter shows how many flashcards you've reviewed today. It's a simple indicator of your daily activity.
Mastered Flashcard
When a flashcard reaches a sufficiently long interval (you know it well and review it rarely), it's considered mastered. A celebration visual effect appears to mark this achievement.
My Progress (Dashboard)
The "My Progress" page brings together all your memorization stats:
- Current streak and history
- Cards reviewed today and total
- Cards mastered vs cards in learning
- Performance stats (success rate)
Best Practices
For Optimal Memorization
- Review every day: Consistency matters more than quantity. Even 5 minutes a day is enough.
- Be honest: Rate your performance honestly. "Medium" isn't failure — it's useful information for the algorithm.
- Review in the morning: The brain memorizes better early in the day.
- Don't overload: 20-30 flashcards per session is a good pace. Extract flashcards gradually.
- Delete useless flashcards: If a flashcard is no longer relevant, delete it. Less noise = better memorization.
Mistakes to Avoid
- ❌ Reviewing on autopilot: If you click "Success" without really thinking, you're not memorizing anything
- ❌ Regularly skipping days: Consistency is the key to spaced repetition
- ❌ Creating too many flashcards at once: You'll be overwhelmed. Add gradually.
- ❌ Ignoring "Failed" cards: These are the most important cards to review
Learn More
- Flashcards — Create and manage your flashcards
- Concepts — Create the source concepts for your flashcards
- AI Structuring — Structure your notes before extraction
- Ranges — Memorize your ranges with Learn and Draw modes
Tip
Combine spaced repetition with your poker sessions. Do a quick review (5-10 min) before your gaming session: you'll have the concepts fresh in mind and play better. It's the best strategic warmup possible!