Poker Strategy

"Targeting" in poker is an essential concept that focuses on identifying the hands you want to target for either value or as a bluff when betting. It's about understanding which hands you're likely to get called by (or fold) based on the situation. Here are some key points from the concept of targeting:

1. Value Betting

In a value betting situation, targeting is all about knowing which worse hands you want to call your bet. For example, if you have top pair, top kicker, you're targeting worse aces that could reasonably call. In this case, you bet enough to extract value from these weaker hands while ensuring you don’t scare them off with a bet that's too large or too small. A good value bet takes into account your opponent’s range and potential hands.

Example:

In the AK vs. villain with an ace-high board, the idea is to bet in a way that targets weaker aces (AQ, AJ), and you make a value bet to extract the most chips from those hands.

2. Bluffing

Targeting also plays a crucial role when you're bluffing. If you're bluffing, you need to think about which hands you want to fold. In the example of the Q♠J♠ on a 9♠ 8❤️ 2♠ board, your target would be hands like A8, 77, or similar hands that might fold to pressure.

Example:

When you hit a scare card (like an Ace), you might target hands like 77, 99, or 8x, betting an amount that makes these hands fold, while not over-betting and losing too many chips if your opponent holds a stronger hand.

3. Sizing Your Bets

Once you identify your target hands, sizing your bets accordingly becomes crucial. You don’t want to bet too large if your opponent is likely to fold, or too small if you want to extract maximum value. The bet size should reflect your target's potential to call or fold, depending on whether you’re betting for value or as a bluff.

Key Takeaways:

• Targeting means understanding the hands you want to call or fold.

• Value betting and bluffing both require an understanding of your opponent’s range.

• Bet sizing should align with your targets, ensuring you extract value or get folds from your desired hands.

Targeting isn't just about having an intuition for when to bet, but also about recognizing specific hands and adjusting your strategy accordingly. It turns poker into a more dynamic and thought-out process rather than just relying on raw hand strength.

When you learn to play chess, the first thing they teach you is the importance of thinking a move or two ahead. The more moves ahead you can see the board, the better you’re able to spot pitfalls or opportunities to trap your opponent.

Fortunately, poker is a lot simpler than chess, with many fewer branches on the decision tree (I honestly don’t see how chess players do it). So with just a little forethought, we can plan for the most likely two or three consequences of a decision we make. But sometimes, an event comes in from left field and leaves us flat-footed…

There I was, in my regular $3/5 no-limit hold’em game, and this evening, we’d all agreed to play with a “rock,” which meant that whoever won the last pot put out a $10 straddle, and action starts to that player’s left. So we were playing $3/5/10 NLHE.

I'm on the button, and the rock is UTG. A competent early position player opens to $35, and gets two callers. I call on the button with two black 6's. So four of us are going to the flop with $145 in the pot.

The flop is A♦️A♣7❤️. The action checks to me, and no, I’m not betting. One of the privileges of being the button is that you get to take a free card when it’s offered and you need it. The opener’s range is chock full of aces, and if he doesn’t have an ace, either of those two clowns between us could have one. Look folks, I’m done with this hand. Somebody bet, we’ll all fold, and move onto the next one.

So there’s still just $145 in the pot when the turn card is the Q❤️. Board looks like A♦️A♣7❤️Q❤️. They all check to me.

Nope, I’m not falling for it. If my sixes are the best hand, then good for me. Let’s get a black deuce on the river, y’all check to me, I’ll proudly turn up my 6’s, and lose to J7o. Or laugh at the person who has an ace.

I politely ask the dealer to put out a river card, which she does.

Obviously, it’s the six of diamonds (or I wouldn’t be writing this article). A♦️A♣7❤️Q❤️6♦️. I have the smallest of all possible full houses.

Now the preflop raiser leads for $35. Remember I said his range was chock full of aces? He’s about to be in for a surprise. I’m figuring out how much to raise when the unexpected happens: the first player behind the preflop raiser makes it $85. The guy in between us instantly folds.

This is where we need to talk about stack depths. The guy who put in the raise only has about $200 behind. But the original raiser and I each started with $1500.

I think about the situation – who’s got what here? If the opener has an ace, surely he’d have found a bet somewhere before the river. But what’s the middle position guy doing? He’s even less motivated to check an ace on previous streets – there are fewer people available to bet it for him.

But I always preach to believe the most concrete and recent information you get at the poker table. Especially in a field of recreational players, which both these guys are. The most sense I can make of the situation is that the preflop opener has a hand like JJ, and is trying to squeeze out a little value on the river. The middle position player has an ace, but not a fabulous one, and wants to squeeze a little value from the preflop raiser.

I’m certainly not eager to dump 150 effective big blinds into the pot with my bottomest of all possible full houses, but I’m delighted to play for the middle position’s stack.

I decide to raise to $300, just to be sure I cover him. But I am making that raise with the absolute intent of folding if the early position player 4-bets (likely for all his chips). It’s not unthinkable that he checked AQ on the turn, and got the perfect river card to get a pile of chips from me. If middle position guy has an ace, he’s putting in the rest of his chips, no matter what. If he has aces full, then he doubles through me. If he has “just” trip aces, I get his stack. Either result seems possible.

So I announce a raise to $300. But more unexpected things happen: the early position guy snap calls, but middle position guy folds (don’t you wonder what he was up to? I do).

I turn up my 6’s full.

Early position angrily tosses A♠K♦️ on the table, face-up, and stomps off (certainly his best play in the last five minutes).

I could go into a detailed description of why you shouldn’t succumb to Fancy Play Syndrome like he did. But I won’t – the results speak for themselves.

As you can see, I grossly misjudged who had what. It happened to work out fine, just not in the way I expected.

By the way, you might be thinking, “What about calling, to see if you can bring in the early position guy?” I didn’t want to do that for fear of confusing him. I worried that he might interpret the middle position’s small raise as weak, and my call of his raise also weak. The early position player might do something insane, like shove his $1500 in there. I had promised myself I was folding to a shove from him. I didn’t want to do anything to confuse him into shoving with a worse hand. I wouldn’t be able to tell the difference between that and AQ (i.e. the nuts). I wanted to feel confident that if he shoved, my 6’s full were no good. I thought that my raise would clearly define his hand.

I try hard to see a step or two ahead. But sometimes a move pops out of nowhere, and you have to just look at the board, try to figure out what’s happening, and make your best move.

Lee Jones provides an insightful reflection on poker, particularly about the dangers of assuming that simply winning a pot means you've played the hand well. He discusses a hand where he won, but acknowledges three key mistakes made along the way:

1. Mistake #1: Not Betting the Flop
   Lee considered checking the flop after his opponent called a significant raise. While he was hesitant due to the flop being potentially favorable for his opponent, the pros in his hand discussion group highlighted that he missed an opportunity to maximize value. They suggested that betting was the correct play, as his opponent was likely to have a wide range of hands, and it would give him a chance to build a larger pot while keeping the villain in.

2. Mistake #2: Underbetting the Turn
   On the turn, after the 2♦️ hit, Lee bet $130, but his hand history group suggested a larger bet of $225. The reasoning was that his opponent wouldn’t be sensitive to bet sizing, and by checking the flop, he could afford to go bigger here. A larger bet would have put more pressure on his opponent to fold their weaker hands and protect against a potential diamond draw.

3. Mistake #3: Not Betting the River for Value
   On the river, Lee had a good hand (overpair with queens), and the opponent checked to him. However, instead of betting for value, he showed his hand, and the opponent mucked. His coaches pointed out that a bet of $175 would have been better, as it would give the opponent a good price to call with many hands, including worse pairs. This missed opportunity likely cost Lee some value from his hand.

In the end, Lee reflects that his own hesitation and fear of being outplayed by the opponent led to these mistakes. The key takeaway here is that players often get caught in the trap of fearing exploitation by opponents and making suboptimal decisions as a result. The solution is to be more aggressive and confident when you have a strong hand, as the poker environment is full of opponents who are not playing at a high level.

In the world of poker, it’s crucial to know when you’re being exploited and how you can turn the tables on your opponents. One brilliant observation made by Andrew Brokos (who’s known for his insightful poker coaching) sheds light on a common mistake poker players make when they focus too much on not being “exploitable.” His insight came during a podcast where a player asked whether folding would make them exploitable, and Andrew stopped them right there. He said, “In all the coaching I do, in all the hands that people send us, I always hear them saying, ‘If I fold here, is that exploitable?’ They never say, ‘If I call here, is that exploitable?’”

This is a key moment that highlights a critical error many players make.

The Problem: Over-Calling in Search of Protection

Once the concept of "GTO" (Game Theory Optimal) started gaining popularity in poker circles, it created a shift in how players thought about the game. The advent of solvers and sophisticated software models that simulate optimal play made many players hyper-aware of the idea that they could be "exploited." This often led to a lot of fear about folding because, in theory, folding leaves you open to being taken advantage of. But this fear can be misplaced.

Here’s the good news: Your opponents are still bad at poker. Sure, the best players are improving every year, but most of the players you face aren’t anywhere near that level. So the fear of being “exploited” is often exaggerated.

The real issue, as Andrew highlights, is that players are constantly looking for reasons to call rather than fold. They think folding is boring, or that you can’t win a hand if you fold. This mentality leads to a lot of unnecessary calls, especially when players are concerned about being exploited for folding too much.

The Real Exploitation: Calling Too Much

Andrew’s insight is key: you can be exploited by calling too often. If your opponents are under-bluffing (which they usually are), your tendency to call too much can actually play into their hands. Most players under-bluff, which means they’re betting with value hands more often than they’re bluffing. By over-calling with bluff-catchers, you’re allowing yourself to be taken advantage of.

The solution here is to exploit the field’s under-bluffing tendency. Call less frequently, and only call when you believe you can beat some of the value hands your opponent might have. Don’t fall into the trap of thinking every call is necessary.

Case in Point: Top Pair and the Half-Pot Bet

You might be wondering, “Wait a minute, Lee – didn’t I throw away top pair with a decent kicker to a half-pot bet on the river, and she showed me a busted flush draw?” Well, good for you! Here's why that’s not a problem:

1. The Pot Odds: By betting half-pot, your opponent gave you 3:1 odds on your call. That means you needed to be right 25% of the time to make the call profitable. In most cases, a player isn’t bluffing or value-betting worse than that frequency. Unless they’re a super-balanced player (which the average player is not), they likely aren’t bluffing 25% of the time in this situation.

2. Finding the Maniacs: If your opponent is truly a maniac who bluffs frequently, you’ll quickly notice that and adjust. But don’t jump to conclusions too quickly. Just because they bluff once doesn’t mean they’re a maniac. You need to objectively evaluate whether they bluff too often before making your adjustments.

3. Balanced Players: If your opponent is balanced and bluffs at the correct frequency, then maybe it’s just better to stay out of their way. In fact, if you find multiple balanced players at your table, it might be time to consider switching tables. You don’t need to play in games with multiple players who are playing optimally.

The Takeaway

Next time you’re considering a call, especially in a situation where you’re unsure if your opponent is bluffing or value-betting, take a step back. Ask yourself: “If I call here, am I being exploited?” Often, the right choice is to fold, even if it feels uncomfortable. And if you are in doubt, trust that most opponents aren’t bluffing enough to make a call profitable in the long run.

To summarize: Don’t just worry about being exploited by folding—worry about being exploited by calling too much. By being more selective with your calls and not getting caught up in the “fear of folding,” you can make better decisions and avoid being exploited by players who are under-bluffing.

We need to take a step back and reflect on a key concept: you're not like the average poker player you encounter at the tables. How do I know? Because you're reading a poker strategy article. Most poker players, by contrast, don’t delve into strategy—they simply play poker. There’s no harm in that. It’s akin to me enjoying fly-fishing without ever reading detailed guides on it. I do okay, catch a fish now and then, and have fun doing it.

But here’s the difference: by reading poker strategy, you're already on a different level. The lessons from these resources, like “you need to fold a lot,” are crucial. Even experienced players who actively read strategy material often struggle with folding as much as they should. So if you're not folding enough, just imagine how much less your opponents are folding—most of them don’t have access to the same strategic insights.

Now, returning to the concept of targeting. In the previous article, I mentioned a scenario where you and I discussed a betting decision together. One of the questions I asked was, “What worse hands will call if you bet?” That’s a key part of thinking through your betting strategy. But there’s a deeper layer to this, which I’ll explain through an example:

Let’s say you raised A♦️T♦️ from the hijack and the villain called from middle position. The flop comes A♠9♣4♠. They check, you bet, they call. The turn brings the 2♦️, and after they check again, you bet, and they call once more. Finally, the river is the 7❤️, and they check a third time.

You ask me: “I want to bet, but what worse hands are going to call?”

Here’s my response: “Make that their problem.”

What I mean is that, just like you or I might fold hands like A8, A6, T9, or 98 to three streets of aggression, the villain might still call with these hands. And in the average $1/3 or $2/5 NLHE game, they very well might.

Now, you're concerned that the villain might be holding busted flush draws, AQ, or AJ, and you might end up value-owning yourself. In poker, “value-owning” refers to a scenario where you make a value bet in a situation where you could have checked back, but end up getting called by a better hand.

Sure, you could value-own yourself against AJ, but in this case, the villain checked. People hate folding pairs, especially top pairs. So let them worry about what hands they can call with. If they fold their busted flush draws, great—because you still get value from the hands that do call.

The key here is that your bet is forcing the villain to deal with the situation. They now have to think: “What if this player is bluffing me? What if they have a better hand than mine?” It’s all about putting them in a position where they feel uncertain, while you get value from the hands that are still in play.

Targeting vs. Trusting Your Opponent

Typically, you should be thinking about your target when betting or raising, especially when bluffing. You need to anticipate the types of hands that are likely to call your value bets and which hands you expect to fold when you're bluffing. But don't forget: most players aren’t like you—they call too much. So if you're unsure about what hands the villain might call with, sometimes it's better to simply put out a bet and let them worry about their range.

Two Final Thoughts:

1. Value-Own Yourself Occasionally: Yes, it will happen. But don’t feel bad about it. If you never value-own yourself, you’re likely not value-betting enough on the river. The goal is to make sure you're betting for value in the right situations—even if you occasionally make a mistake.

2. Think Twice About Bluffing: If your opponents have a hard time folding, this should make you more cautious when bluffing. You need to have a clear idea of which hands you expect to fold when you bluff. Don’t try bluffing a top pair, because that’s not going to work often enough to make it worth your time.

Entitlement. Specifically, not having it. I’ve learned to stop thinking that just because I have pocket kings, or I flop a set, I’m entitled to win the pot. Some players will complain when they lose, saying things like, 'It should have been obvious I had the flush, how could you call with two pair?' That’s not my mindset. If I get beat, even if I was the favorite to win, I don’t dwell on it. What matters is whether I made the right decisions. I know that if I focus on making good choices, the money will follow.

Sometimes, it’s about the decisions I make at the table, and other times it’s more about mindset—what some might call 'metagame.' Like that one Friday night when I decided to leave because I knew I wasn’t playing my best. There was also this one time recently where I hit a tilt wall. I don't remember the exact situation, but I remember what I did: I just stood up, shoved my chips in my pocket, and walked straight to the cashier. No need for a rack. It was almost like a rage-quit."

“But that’s way better than rage-rebuy, right?”

"Definitely. It’s ten times better than what I would have done in the past. Now, when I play every day, I think of it as one long session. So, if the game or my play isn’t good anymore, I just leave. I’ve simplified my approach. I don’t get into head games with my opponents, and I avoid 'Fancy Play Syndrome,' where players try to make fancy, unnecessary moves. Instead, I stick to playing tight and in-position, minimizing mistakes and letting others make theirs. That’s how I win."

A Sample Hand

"Talking in generalities is one thing, but let’s dive into a hand. You want to know about the time I folded queens preflop?"

“That’s a great start.”

"It was at the $2/5 game at Bellagio, where we had $1100 (220 big blinds) effective. A middle position player opens to $15, and an older, reckless guy calls. A little unusual—usually it’s younger players getting out of line. The cutoff then 3-bets to $65, and I look down at pocket queens on the button. I decide to cold 4-bet to $230. The idea was that the cutoff might be squeezing light, and the old guy could call with anything. After the original raiser folds, the reckless guy tanks, then calls. The cutoff doesn’t waste any time and shoves all-in for $1500. I snap-folded.

A lot of people would say, 'Queens, can’t fold!' or they’d start inventing some story about how the cutoff knows that I know he could be 3-betting light, and they'd call. But for me, the only question was whether the cutoff had aces or kings. Either way, I’m not sticking around. The old guy folds too, and we’ll never know what the cutoff had. But if he was playing something weaker than queens, good for him."

“Rumor has it, you’ve folded kings preflop?”

"Yes, I have. And I probably will again. If the situation screams 'aces,' then kings aren’t as strong."

Game Structures and Buy-In Caps

“Let’s talk about game structures. I know you’ve become familiar with different buy-in caps in the Las Vegas NLHE world. What’s your take on that?”

"It’s crazy how quickly you learn these things. The deeper the buy-in cap, the bigger the game plays, and the bigger the bankroll you need to manage your risk of ruin. Poker pros call that 'career death.' So you’ve got to find a balance between playing big enough to earn, but not so big that you risk going broke.

Take the Aria, for example. Their $1/3 game has a $300 buy-in cap (100 big blinds), while their $2/5 game caps at $1000 (200 BBs). But Bellagio has a $500 cap for their $2/5 game, which means their $2/5 plays a lot smaller than Aria’s. The Wynn, though, plays much deeper. Their $1/3 game has a $500 cap (133 BBs), and their $2/5 game has a $1500 cap (300 BBs). Some pros move between places because they can play with deeper stacks without increasing their buy-in."

“So deep stacks are good for pros?”

"Absolutely. The more big blinds you have, the better it is for the skilled players, because there are more opportunities to exploit mistakes from others."

“And there you are at the Aria $1/3 game.”

"Yep, but I’ll explore other rooms as I gain confidence and build my bankroll. There are so many ways to move up—either by playing deeper at the same stakes or by jumping to higher stakes. For now, though, I’m happy at Table 7, Seat 3. As long as the game is good, I’ll stay."

“When you’re not playing poker, what do you do?”

"Other than sleeping? I hang out with friends from Chicago who live here now. I also recently went to a trivia night at a local bar, which was a lot of fun. I can't just stay home. My brother's content being at home, but I have to be out and about. A few days ago, I walked some dogs with a friend at Mount Charleston. It's beautiful up there."

“Mount Charleston is amazing. Have you tried Red Rocks too?”

"I haven’t yet, but I’ll make sure to check it out."

Confidence Boost

“So, you’ve been a pro for six weeks. Do you ever take a moment and reflect on it?”

"All the time. I still talk to some people from the Chinese restaurant in Chicago, and they’re still complaining about the same old stuff. But I’m not that person anymore. I’m not sure where the future will take me—whether I’ll be a successful pro or whether it’s something I want to do long-term. But one thing’s for sure: I’m not going back to that life. The doubt is gone now. I know I can make it as a Las Vegas pro."

"And can you tell us about a hand that made you realize that?"

Full Value

"Sure. It happened at my regular spot—the Aria $1/3 game. We had $300 effective stacks. I open with red aces from UTG+1 to $15. A player in middle position calls. The pot is $35, and the flop comes K♦️8♠2♠. I bet $25, and the player calls. The solvers would probably say to bet smaller, but I know nobody’s folding a king or spades for that bet. On the turn, the 2♥️ pairs the board. Now the pot’s $85, and I bet $60. He calls again.

The river is the T♣, and now there’s $205 in the pot. He has $200 left in his stack. The old me would have checked, thinking maybe I could let him bluff his missed spades. But instead, I go for it. I shove the remaining $200 all-in. When he tanks, I know I’m ahead. I’m proud of myself for shoving—I wasn’t scared. Finally, he calls, showing KJ. I win the pot."

“That’s an extra $200 in your pocket.”

"Yeah, but the real win was the confidence boost. That moment made me realize I can do this. I know I’m good enough to be a pro here in Vegas. I’m excited to keep going."

“Great ending to this chapter. Thanks so much for sharing.”

"Thank you."

4 Things to Consider Before Buying a Poker Table

A poker table can be a significant investment, so it's important to make the right choice. Here are four key factors to keep in mind before you buy:

1. Budget

   • Poker tables come in a wide range of prices, from affordable options under $100 to luxurious tables that can cost several thousand dollars.

   • Low-budget options: Folding tables between $250 and $400 are durable enough for most game nights. They may not have extravagant features but will get the job done.

   • High-end tables: If you want a quality table with features like LED lighting, custom felts, and built-in chargers, expect to pay around $1,000 or more.

   • Used tables: You can find great deals on used tables on platforms like Craigslist or Facebook Marketplace, sometimes getting a $1,000 table for much less.

2. Build Quality

   • The durability of the table is essential. A poorly constructed table can wobble, slide, or fail under the stress of an intense game.

   • Materials like oak are a good sign of quality. If you're buying a folding table, look for solid construction and a longer warranty for assurance.

   • Folding tables typically vary in quality based on price, with higher-end models being more stable.

3. Shape and Space Requirements

   • Consider the available space in your home. Full-size poker tables require around 14 feet by 6 feet of open space to accommodate players and chairs comfortably.

   • If you're hosting large games, a "racetrack" table (oval shape) is ideal, as it fits more players comfortably. Round or hexagonal tables work better for smaller groups.

   • Make sure there’s at least 3 feet of space around the table to allow guests to move freely.

4. Poker Table Felt

   • The type of felt or cloth on the table impacts both aesthetics and gameplay. For folding tables, check the surface material before buying.

   • If you buy a dedicated table, high-quality felt can be a great investment. You can even replace it periodically for better performance.

   • Standard options include felt, velvet, and speed cloth. Speed cloth is the best in terms of durability, stain resistance, and feel.

6 Types of Poker Tables to Consider

1. Folding Poker Table

• Perfect for those who need a space-saving solution. Modern folding tables are more stable and feature upgrades like LED lights and cup holders.

• Prices range from $250 to $450 depending on the features.

2. Poker Table Top

• A portable solution that transforms any flat surface into a poker table. These range from basic mats to more rigid folding tops.

• Prices are typically under $100, but they may not be as stable or impressive as a full table.

3. Texas Hold’em Poker Table

• Designed for serious games like Texas Hold'em, these tables have an oval or racetrack shape and are perfect for hosting larger games.

• These tables are larger and may require dedicated space.

4. Convertible Poker Table and Dining Table

• A stylish and practical option for those who want a poker table that doubles as a dining table.

• These can be expensive, starting at around $1,000, but they offer versatility and aesthetic appeal.

5. Customizable Poker Tables

• If you’re willing to invest in a truly unique and high-quality piece, customizable poker tables allow you to choose materials, colors, and features like built-in card shufflers or LED lights.

• Prices typically range from $2,000 to $10,000.

6. Build Your Own Poker Table

• For DIY enthusiasts, building your own poker table can save money while allowing you to customize it to your exact specifications.

• It requires basic woodworking skills, but there are plenty of online guides to help you through the process.

Poker Chairs and Accessories

Chairs are just as important as the table itself. Opt for adjustable chairs with soft seats, high backs, and height levers for optimal comfort during long sessions. Other essential accessories include:

• Side tables for drinks and snacks

• Cup holders for stability and cleanliness

• Chip racks and chip sets to organize your game

• Plastic cards (avoid cheap paper ones)

• Bluetooth speakers for setting the mood without interruptions

Final Thoughts

When buying a poker table, think about your budget, the table’s quality, space requirements, and felt material. Whether you go for a folding table, a custom piece, or something in between, make sure it fits your needs and will last through many poker nights to come.

Poker Table Buying Guide FAQs

• How do I choose a poker table?

  • Consider your budget, the quality of the table, the shape and space requirements, and the type of felt used.

• What is the ideal size for a home poker table?

  • A full-size poker table typically measures 14x6 feet, which accommodates 8+ players. Adjust for your available space.

• What is the best spot for a poker table?

  • Ideal locations include a garage or spare room. If you have a folding table, it can be set up anywhere and stored away afterward.

• Are poker tables expensive?

  • Low-budget tables cost less than $100, while high-quality tables start at around $1,000 and can go much higher for custom-made options.

If you’re looking to take your poker game to the next level in 2023, you’ll find this list of the best poker apps very useful. The list includes real money poker software, learning and training programs, and a few apps you can play for fun if you aren’t ready to dive into the deep end just yet.

We’ve included poker learning apps from some of the biggest names in all of poker, including PlayWPT, Pokerstars, WSOP.com, and Zynga poker. But we also highlight poker strategy apps launched and run by some of the most successful players in the world.

Whether you need an app to tell you to shove a certain hand with a certain stack size, or one that gives you one-on-one training with WSOP bracelet winners and WPT tour winners, this list delivers everything you need to take your game to the next level.

Apps to play poker for fun

Sometimes the best way to learn poker is to have fun and play for free. But you can’t always sit in on a private game, and may not have access to local cash games. That’s when fun poker learning apps are your best bet. See these top fun apps to learn poker to get your game face on.

PlayWPT

PlayWPT has long been the industry standard app for casual poker on the internet. The training website has provided players from around the U.S. with opportunities to play in the biggest WPT events on the planet, just by winning a freeroll tournament.

Hotel stay is included in those deals, and the players are often featured on the televised broadcast, giving them the true star treatment. PlayWPT is widely available in the Apple App Store, Google Play, and for PC. In addition to poker-playing software, the website also offers strategy videos and poker training.

Zynga Poker

Zynga Poker is one of the most popular and best poker apps in the App Store. It’s also available on Windows devices. Unlike many of those apps, Zynga has a deal with Facebook that lets players play poker with their friends.

This is one of the longest-running and most reliable apps when it comes to playing poker for fun with friends and foes alike. The app maker currently has a deal running where new players get 2 million in play chips to start. It’s one of the best casual poker apps to learn how to play poker.

Texas Hold’em Poker Pokerist

One online poker app that’s quickly gaining traction around the world is Texas Hold’em Poker Pokerist. This free app available on Google Play and the App Store lets friends connect no matter where they’re located!

The website also has some of the best graphics of any free poker app, and provides a unique playing experience for all users. This is one of the best online poker apps for people who are simply looking to play poker for fun.

Pineapple Poker

If you’re looking to play poker with friends, but you aren’t into No-Limit Hold’em, Pineapple Poker is a great free way to play open-faced Pineapple Poker. It uses the variant of 13-card Pineapple Poker, where the app takes care of the scoring for you. All you have to do is play your hand.

This is one of the best poker apps to play for free. There’s no money down, leaving it up to friends to determine their own real-money stakes per point.

Poker apps to play for real money

When you’re ready to play poker online for cash — real cash — the apps below will take you to the felt. These high-stakes poker learning apps are best used when you're at least an intermediate poker player.

Americas Cardroom

Options are limited for players who reside in America, but you can play real money cash games and tournaments on Americas Cardroom. Chris Moneymaker, the man responsible for the poker boom when he won the WSOP Main Event in 2013, signed on as a team pro last year, joining a roster of pros that includes Chris Moorman, Ebony Kenney, and Ana Marquez. ACR also offers some of the biggest tournaments you will find in the American market, specifically the Venom series, which recently ran a $10,000,000 Guaranteed Main Event. They also have a Online Super Series Cub3d, that rivals the Pokerstars SCOOP schedule, with tournaments at different buy-in levels.

PokerStars

PokerStars is by far the biggest name in online poker. They’ve led the online poker community for 20 years running, and continue to host the biggest online poker events in the world. However, Stars is still a great place for small-stakes players to hone their craft and work their way up.

With PokerStars, you can start out with micro real money cash game stakes or with their plentiful play-money options. You can play their SCOOP Events (with buy-in levels of Low, Medium, and High) or a collection of freerolls that you want to grind. Either way, PokerStars remains one of the best poker apps and the top place to play poker online for money.

WSOP.com

The biggest poker operator in the United States is undoubtedly WSOP.com, with operations in New Jersey, Nevada, and Pennsylvania. WSOP.com is where the online World Series of Poker offers online bracelet events — some of the biggest online events held in the country in the last decade.

The online poker app offers high-stakes cash games at a level normally reserved for websites outside of the U.S. The operating software underpins the World Series of Poker Circuit Online poker ring events. Those events took place in 2021 while several casinos were shut down or running limited operations.

This is the best place to play poker online for real money in the United States. Because of federal regulations, it’s only available in N.J., Nevada, and Delaware.

888Poker

Outside of the U.S., 888Poker is one of the best apps to play poker online for money. The software offers No-Limit Hold’em, Omaha games, Stud games, and much, much more. 888Poker hosts several poker tournament series, too, including the XL Eclipse series that has become quite popular.

The 888Poker app supports a variety of ways to deposit and withdraw real money, including Bitcoin, which not every online site currently allows. 888Poker sponsors some of the biggest names in poker, including Chris Moorman, Dominik Nitsche, and former WSOP Main Event Champion Martin Jacobson. This is one of the best poker apps hands down.

GGPoker

GGPoker has been around for years. This poker company (and poker app) received a big push in the public eye when it partnered up with the WSOP to provide online bracelet events in 2021. GGPoker stands out from the field of real-money online sites thanks to its graphics and interactive player profiles.

Players can change their emoji reactions based on what’s happening at the table, expressing frustration, elation, relief, and more. Just like the rest of these sites, GGPoker also offers cash games at all kinds of stakes. It is also building quite a team of sponsored pros, headlined by Daniel Negreanu, Jason Koon, and Fedor Holz.

Poker training and strategy apps

When you’d rather not lose money, but you want to learn poker online, it’s time to cash in with poker training apps. The poker learning apps below will improve your strategy without busting your budget.

SnapShove

SnapShove is one of the best poker apps for people looking to improve their short-stack poker game. The app gives you a range of charts that show what hands you should be shoving for value at certain blind levels. The poker tips app, created by WSOP bracelet and EPT winner Max Silver, charges 4.29 euros per month for the base package.

There are two other packages offered, at 9.49 euros and 13.99 euros per month. For the money, this is one of the best poker training apps on the market. Poker pros use this app, so you can be confident that it’s reliable and packed with powerful learning opportunities.

Chip Leader Coaching

Chip Leader Coaching is one of the hottest and biggest growing poker coaching websites. Its poker strategy app was founded by high-roller regular Chance Kornuth and features a roster of coaches that have won more than $46,000,000. One of the more recent coaches is GPI #1 player in the world Alex Foxen.

This cutting-edge poker coaching app offers a 10-week course that, according to its site, “focuses on completely rebuilding the mindset, mechanics, and strategy necessary to win modern No-Limit Hold ‘Em tournaments.”

PokerGO

It’s often said that the best way to learn something is by watching the best perform the craft themselves. If you agree, PokerGO is the poker app for you. The app runs high-roller events virtually every week in the PokerGO studio. Buy-ins range from $5,000 all the way to $300,000 in the case of the Super High Roller Bowl.

Or if you’re looking for a stroll down memory lane, you can check out the archive to see years of WSOP broadcast footage. That includes the famous 2003 WSOP Main Event, where Chris Moneymaker shocked the poker world, changing the game forever. This is among the best poker apps to supersize your skills.

RunItOnce

RunItOnce is one of the newer poker apps for players who’d like to improve their online poker game, from understanding playing position in poker to deeper game theory. This poker software was created by online poker legend Phil Galfond, and the app only operates for poker training in the United States.

Players hoping to improve their Pot-Limit Omaha game will find many of these videos beneficial. RunItOnce offers full-length training videos to its subscribers, along with premium coaching courses on a variety of topics, including MTTs, PLO, Sit n Gos, and general poker tips. This is one of the top websites to learn new poker strategies and take your game to the next level.

ShareMyPair

ShareMyPair is one of the most popular poker apps for players to share various hands they’ve played. Some players use it to share their great plays — either an incredible call or slick bluff. But many also post on the site to learn from their mistakes.

This is among the best poker apps when you want a simple, no-fuss experience. All you have to do is input your cards and the bets, and let the app show the hand from there. This is a great way to learn some poker tips by breaking down your own play and learning what you did right, and what you did wrong.

Upswing Poker

Another poker coaching training app that’s definitely worth looking into is Upswing Poker, founded by online heads-up specialist Doug Polk. Unique to Upswing Poker are the specific coaching packages linked to certain pros, starting at $999.

For example, you can take an advanced course talk by high-roller regular Nick Petrangelo, focus specifically on heads-up online poker play with Doug Polk, or hone your PLO skills with the course specifically built for that poker variant.

The website also includes three free courses: Preflop Charts, 3-bet Pots guide, and 10 laws of live poker. Whatever you’re looking for in your poker training, Upswing likely has it.

Apps for playing online poker with friends

One of the most fun ways to learn poker is to play with friends. But if your pals don’t live next door, you can still tap into this great, fun, and educational pastime with apps that let you play poker with friends online while you learn.

PokerStars Home Games

Looking to have a poker night with your friends, but don’t want to get everyone together under the same roof? PokerStars Home Games may be the place for you. PokerStars is mainly known for its real-money poker options, which aren’t available to U.S. players.

However, PokerStars still serves those players by letting them play money home games from the website. This is one of the best poker apps for home games, single-table sit-n-gos, and any time you want to play online poker with friends.

Poker Face: Texas Hold’em Live

If you enjoy playing online poker with your friends, but miss seeing them in the flesh to pick up on tells, consider using Poker Face: Texas Hold’em Live. It’s available on iPhone and Google Play, and this unique software lets players live stream their faces into the game.

With Poker Face, you can play online poker with friends and enjoy the lively chats and comradery at the live poker table from the comfort of your own home! This is a great way to play poker for fun. You won’t see this poker app’s face-time twist anywhere else, and it will certainly spice up poker night.

Easy Poker

Another poker app that lets you play poker online with your friends is Easy Poker. This software is free, with an in-app purchase upgrade that allows more players at the table and customized blind levels.

This poker app is a simple way to play for free online without a real money account. It’s a great way to learn how to play poker with people you know and love instead of with the unknowns at the casino or online at other sites and apps.

Best poker apps for learning and playing online FAQs

What is a good free poker app?

There are several free poker apps that you can download to play poker for fun, including the likes of PlayWPT, Zynga Poker, and Pineapple Poker. You can even link up with your friends and play online poker remotely. Real money apps like America’s Cardroom and 888 Poker are also free to download, but you need to bet real money to play cash games and enter live tournaments via the app.

Is there an app where I can play poker for real money? 

Yes, there are lots of apps that you can download to play poker for real money. PokerStars is perhaps the best, having been running for 20 years. You will find a huge selection of cash games and live tournaments via the PokerStars app, while the app is easy to use and navigate. Other options include the WSOP app and America’s Cardroom – both of which are worth downloading if you want to play real money poker on a mobile device.

Is Zynga Poker for real money? 

No, Zynga Poker is not a real money poker app. Rather, it’s a free poker app that you can download to play poker for fun. Zynga is integrated with Facebook, making it easy for you to link up and join online poker games with your friends. So, if you’re keen to play poker for fun, Zynga is a great option, but you can’t win real money on the app.

Is there a way to play poker for free? 

Yes, you can play poker online for free or via the apps introduced in this article. The likes of PlayWPT, Zynga, Texas Hold’em Poker Pokerist, and Pineapple Poker are all free apps that you can download on your phone to play free poker. This is a great way to learn more about the game and to practice different varieties of poker before playing for real money. It also allows you to play poker without gambling any of your own money.

Is the PokerStars app free?

Yes, the PokerStars app is free to download. However, PokerStars is a real money poker app, so to enter tournaments and play cash games, you will need to deposit funds and make real money bets. If you want a 100% free poker app, see our top list of the best poker apps for fun, as introduced above.

This morning, I helped start a $3/5 NL Hold'em game at my local club. I noticed a kid sit down in the #3 seat. He had loose-fitting clothes, dreadlocks, and an earring. But there was something about him, a certain vibe, that caught my attention.

A brief tangent: I’m a scuba diver, and one of my favorite things to see underwater is sharks. Why? Because when you see a shark swim over a reef, you’re witnessing 300 million years of evolution. They’re elegant, efficient, and absolutely at home in their environment. They exude confidence, knowing they belong at the top of the food chain.

That’s the aura this kid gave off as he arranged his chips and adjusted his earbuds. He was as comfortable in that seat as a gray reef shark is in the ocean. I wish I could be more specific, but I had this feeling in my gut, sitting in the #3 seat, thinking, “I’d rather be in the #4 seat.”

The game was playing $3/5/10 thanks to a $10 winner straddle, and for the next three hours, this kid demonstrated a clinic in selective hyper-aggression. He didn’t play many pots, but when he did, he was all in—bet, bet, bet. The regulars were clueless about how to handle him.

The $100 chips at this club are oversized and white, and the kid started with five of them (max buy-in is $1k). He quickly grew his stack to ten, and was tossing those chips into the pot with a carefree attitude, like he was tossing breath mints across the table. It was fascinating to watch. The others would call the flop, maybe call one or two “breath mints” on the turn, thinking he’d slow down. Then, bam—four breath mints on the river, and they folded.

I got deep stuck early, but managed to win a few pots by letting BreathMintMan bet at me for a couple of streets. When he checked the river, I’d bet three breath mints, and he’d fold.

After winning two dealer-change bomb pots, I found myself with a $2.5k stack, while BreathMintMan was sitting pretty with $3k. The only difference was that most of his stack was profit.

Then there was the guy on my immediate left, who had been burning money at a rapid pace—$200 (the minimum buy-in) at a time. He’d just doubled up and was sitting on $500. Three people limped, and I made it $70 to go with A♣J♣ in the cutoff. Pyromaniac and two others called, including BreathMintMan.

With $280 in the pot, the flop came down T♣5♦️2♣, a great hit for me. It checked to me, and I bet $150. Pyromaniac snap-called, and the other two folded. I was glad to see BreathMintMan out of the pot—he could easily have check-raised me with a few breath mints, and that would’ve put me in a very uncomfortable spot.

With $580 in the pot going to the turn, the 7♣ hit—making me the nuts. I whispered a silent prayer to the poker gods and checked. Pyromaniac immediately tossed in his "All-in" button. I snap-called and turned up my hand—whatever he had, he was drawing dead. He decided it wasn’t his day and left the table. The game was about to get a lot worse.

Now sitting on $3k, BreathMintMan moved to the #5 seat, directly to my left. I took this as a compliment, assuming he was tired of being on my right and wanted to turn the tables.

I played two more hands, then decided it was time to leave. No, I didn’t even play to my blinds. There was no universe in which I wanted to sit 300 big blinds deep with this aggressive shark on my immediate left. If he thought it was a compliment that I left rather than sit on his right, that’s fine with me.

He was welcome to spend the afternoon tossing breath mints at other players.

I couldn’t tell you the last time I played a ten-hour poker session. I mean, I have certainly played my share of absurdly long ones (noting that one’s “share” could very reasonably be zero). But those days were long ago, before responsibility, kids, wisdom, a granddaughter, and so on. In those days, such long sessions were usually fueled by a need to escape, and tilt resulting from the stresses of my regular life. The tilt resulted in bad play, which resulted in me getting stuck, and playing longer to get unstuck, inducing more tilt, and… you can see where this is going. Yesterday, I actually planned a marathon session. Maybe the first time I’d ever done such a thing. I had a ten-hour flight from London to San Francisco awaiting me, and one of the best ways to get through such a journey is to sleep a lot. All the road warriors know this, and use various techniques (e.g. Ambien, alcohol) to maximize their down time. Since I don’t like using artificial sleep enhancements, I need to get myself into a state of almost total sleep deprivation. Then I just get moderately comfortable in an airplane seat, and let the engine hum do its work. Playing poker all night is a great way to accomplish this. I rocked up to the Empire Casino in Leicester Square, and got into a £1/2 no-limit hold’em game around 7:00pm. There was a guy in the #1 seat who – I’m going to name him “Altered” – was taking an extraordinarily long time for every decision. Half the time, the dealer had to tell him the action was on him, and each time, he was startled to learn that it was his turn. He’d struggle over a call, silently agonize what to do, finally put the chips into the pot, and then turn over the near-nuts. I got into a pot with him, where I had raised preflop with KQs, and he (eventually) called in the big blind. The flop came 2-9-T with one of my suit. He checked, I bet 1/3 of the pot, and he snap-called. The turn was an offsuit 5. He mentally left the game for a minute, then checked. He had a pot-size bet behind, so I went for it and put him all-in. He blanked for a minute, thought for a minute, and called. I turned up my hand, and thought about the jack of spades. He seemed not to notice my hand, or that he was in a poker game. The dealer put out the river card, pairing the 9. My opponent slowly turned over pocket fives for a full house, as surprised to see them as the rest of us. I thought that if I sat in a game with him for multiple hours, I would lose my mind. There was no doubt that he’d eventually lose all his chips, but the process was going to be agonizing. Taking a page from Ben Adler’s book, I lapped the six games in the room twice in a 15-minute span, and settled on table #6. The stacks were deep and two players were pushing the action with frequent raises and 3-bets. I asked Caroline, the room manager, if she could move me to that table. Around 8:00pm, she brought me a rack and said a seat was open. Yes, I tipped Caroline £5. No, it wasn’t necessary. I wouldn’t leave the #7 seat of table #6 until fingers of dawn were slipping into the corners of Leicester Square. Knowing that I had a long night ahead of me, I settled into a pattern of ordering a cappuccino and a pint glass of sparkling water (you have to balance stimulation and hydration). I got great service because (take note here) I tipped. The UK has nothing like the tipping culture of the States, and both my beverages were free. So the server would bring them to my little side table, then start away. I literally had to catch them to give them three £1 chips. Once they got over the shock, they’d always keep an eye out for that American at table #6 who over-tipped. I’m no spring chicken, and I’m well out of practice for marathon poker sessions. So I knew that fatigue and lack of concentration were the enemies, as they’d bring along their friends, tilt and bad play. I didn’t look at my phone, I didn’t watch the football matches on the TVs. I focused on the game, the players, and their moves. Sunny, in seat #2, is a great guy. He’s Indian, a serious player, and £1/2 NLHE is the kiddie pool for him. He talked about how much he was looking forward to the WSOP this year, after missing it the last two years. I didn’t particularly want to play pots with Sunny, unless I had to. But I got the impression that the feeling was mutual, and he’d usually get out of the way when I came into a pot. Jackie, in the #8 seat, and I had a fine conversation. He runs private poker games in London, and explained to me how Covid had decimated the availability of poker dealers in London. When the pandemic hit, and the poker rooms shut down, the dealers were furloughed, but given payouts. Because many of them are not British citizens, they took their payouts and went back to their native lands. Jackie is able to get dealers for his private games, but that’s only because they pay much better than the casinos. The room we were in was literally turning away customers as the night wore on, as they had no dealers to start a new game. In the #6 seat, on my immediate right, sat Sphynx. Sphynx never said more than a handful of words for hours. He had transferred to our table when another table broke, and brought over £1,000 with him. He didn’t see many flops, and usually played quickly. But when he had a decision to make (e.g. sizing a raise) he would sit motionless and stare across the table. Then just when you were about to get exasperated with the time he was taking, chips would slide out. Thank Johnny Moss he was on my right. But the early star of the show was Chris in the #5 seat. Chris was drunk. I mean, Friday night 11:30pm at the pub drunk. He was jabbering away non-stop, slowing the game with his wrong bets, retelling the same stories, and being a huge pain in the ass. But, as will happen, Chris had stumbled onto a stack of £1,500, and everybody wanted a piece of it. What about the American in the #7 seat? Bad news, good news. The bad news is that I got stuck £200 in that early hand with Altered, and hadn’t seen profit territory since. I didn’t get any premium hands for a long time, and then when I got a little rush of them, I won the blinds or a tiny post-flop pot. I stayed topped up to the £400 cap, and then somebody told me that you could match up to one-half of the largest stack. I glanced at Chris’s stack, and immediately topped up to £700. But I was still stuck, and getting more stuck as the wee hours crept past. My low water mark was -£650. But onto the good news. I was playing great. Flawlessly? No, don’t be ridiculous. I made a couple of bad mistakes that I immediately knew as such. But what I was not doing was tilting, playing silly hands, or trying to blow calling stations off hands when I had air. I stayed on my cappuccino and water regime. Around 2:00am, I ordered a tomato and mozzarella sandwich, with sides of roasted potatoes and wilted spinach. It was delicious. I got a 20-minute massage at the remarkable rate of £1/minute. And yes, I over-tipped everybody in sight. Life has been generous with me, and when life is generous with you, you share. Regardless of how the poker results came out, I was having fun. The turning point came, not surprisingly, against Chris. He splashed in a raise from the cutoff, and I 3-bet from the small blind with K♠T♠ – I wanted him to myself. It worked – everybody else folded, and he immediately called. The flop came 8♠5♣2♠, and I bet 40% of the pot. He looked at me, and just pushed out some of his sloppy chips to call. The turn was the Q♠. I checked. Chris’s M.O. all evening was to pounce on weakness, and he didn’t disappoint. He bet £175. I had £550 left, and he covered me. I paused an appropriate amount of time, then announced that I was all-in. This shocked him. He hemmed, hawed, and discussed the whole situation with the table. When another player started to engage with him, Jackie spoke to the dealer, “Can’t have that, mate.” The dealer just looked at Jackie, unsure of what he was supposed to do (or unwilling to rock the boat). But Chris slurred, “Right, mate. I’ll shut it. I guess he’s gotta have the flush, didn't it? Okay, I fold.” Had Chris called, I would have been into healthy profit territory, but this pot achieved two things: it restored my confidence, and it put me in a chip position that I could reasonably hope to recover my losses. Shortly after that, Sphynx and Chris got into a monster pot. I think Chris was still on tilt from our confrontation, and he tried to bluff Sphynx off top-pair, top-kicker. It didn’t work, and Chris was busto. He wandered out of the room, no doubt in search of a pint, since Caroline had cut him off from alcohol an hour earlier. Then the good hands that I knew were around the corner started coming. I got aces, and instead of winning the blinds, I got two customers for my preflop 3-bet. On a 7-4-4 rainbow flop, one of them check-shoved on me for £150. I snap-called and turned up my aces. The dealer ran out the board. My opponent, in the #1 seat, held his cards out in front of him. I paused briefly, then noted, “We’re in slow-roll territory now.” The dealer could see #1’s cards. He shook his head to indicate that there was no slow-roll coming. Then I flopped my first set of the evening, and in the same orbit, flopped the nut flush after raising preflop. Both hands won large-ish pots. I discovered that I was literally £50 into the black. It was the first time since I’d sat down, nine hours earlier, that I had been there. By this point, the new target at the table was Jitters, who had replaced Jackie in the #8 seat. He had gotten very stuck early (I mean, who could possibly fold jacks to a 4-bet shove for 250 big blinds?). But then he’d gone on a hellacious, odds and sanity-defying rush that left him with £1,400. We were down to 5-handed at that point, and I thought that maybe I could get some of his chips before Sphynx got them all. So I decided to play until 5:30am, then walk back to my hotel room and get three hours of sleep. I got to play literally the last hand I was dealt. I opened T9s from the cut-off, and Jitters 3-bet from the button. I called, and chuckled to myself. It would be supremely ironic if my entire results for the session, for good or ill, came down to a huge pot on my last hand. But get thee behind me, superstition – I was focused and happy to play a big one against Jitters if the cards dictated it. They didn’t. I whiffed the flop, folded, and announced that I was done for the evening/night/morning. That broke the table, and they moved the remaining players to the single other game in the room. After I cashed out, I saw Sphynx stretching before settling down into the new game. I went over, shook his hand, and thanked him for a great poker game. “It was a good game – I thought you played well.” That compliment meant more to me than the discovery that I had booked a £25 win. Of course, the important thing was the self-test, and I felt I’d passed with flying colors. I had grinded through a difficult all-night session, maintaining focus and discipline. Whether the cards had cooperated or not was less important – I’d let the game come to me, rather than trying to force it. To have Sphynx confirm this, as a third party, was a special treat, even at 6:00am. I turn 65 this year, and don’t know if I have another ten-hour session in me. But it is confidence-building and gratifying to know that I had this one. I may have had a spring in my step as I walked the three blocks back to my hotel, while the delivery trucks made their way down the pink-hued alleys of Leicester Square. ?>

🃏 Quick Summary of VPIP in Poker

What is VPIP?

• VPIP = (# of hands where the player voluntarily puts chips in the pot pre-flop) / (total hands dealt, excluding walks, blinds, and antes)

• Expressed as a percentage.

• Example: If you put money in voluntarily on 10 out of 50 hands → VPIP = 20%.

🔥 Why It Matters

• Helps categorize opponents: tight vs. loose, aggressive vs. passive.

• Enhances strategic decision-making, both pre- and post-flop.

• Essential for self-analysis and improvement.

📊 VPIP Ranges and Player Types

🧠 Combining VPIP with Other Stats

• PFR (Pre-Flop Raise): High PFR with high VPIP = aggressive player.

• AF (Aggression Frequency): How often they bet/raise vs. check/call.

• ATS (Attempt to Steal): Helpful for blind defense.

• 3-Bet, CB (C-bet), FCB (Fold to C-bet), WTSD (Went to Showdown), W$SD (Won at Showdown) — all contribute to richer profiling.

🎯 Strategic Use Cases

Pre-Flop:

• Exploit Loose Players: Re-raise or isolate with strong hands.

• Pressure Tight Players: Steal blinds, especially in late position.

Post-Flop:

• Exploit Missed Flops: Loose players who miss are easy to bet off pots.

• Trap Tight Players: They're less likely to bluff or play back.

💻 Tools to Track VPIP

• Use a HUD (Heads-Up Display) like PokerTracker 4 or Holdem Manager.

• Essential for multitabling online and for long-term data collection.

🧩 Final Thoughts

• VPIP is the gateway stat to understanding playstyles.

• Used best when tracked over time and alongside other metrics.

• Adjust your own play based on the VPIP you're projecting to others.

The poker world has a rich and colorful vocabulary, which is glorious for those inside the game—but maddening for anyone eavesdropping.

“So I binked my gutter on the river, checked, she bet half pot, I clicked it back, she ripped it, and obviously I snapped her off.”

Wait, what?

Anyway, thanks in part to legendary vlogger Ethan “Rampage” Yau, “punting” is now firmly cemented in the poker lexicon. It’s just what it sounds like—someone tossing chips in the air with no meaningful plan to recover them. All you have to do is catch the ball.

“I jammed with top pair, top kicker, and obviously ran into a set. Total punt.”

Or, if you're lucky:

“He was three mai tais deep and had just won a $10K sports bet. We sat for two hours catching his punts.”

Which brings me to a 6-card PLO/8-or-better game I played on an online platform last night (hey, don’t knock it until you’ve tried it). I was playing one stakes level above my usual, just to gauge the competition.

I’ve said it before: split-pot games are a target-rich environment. The core strategy in split-pot poker is to win the whole pot, not just half. At worst, you want a mortal lock on half, while letting others pile in and boost your equity. Any extra share of the other half is just gravy.

So, there I was. Battling away. But to my dismay, the regulars weren’t making the mistakes I was hoping for. Preflop raises got respect. All-ins were equity-heavy. Hands that would wow a hold’em player got checked down on the river—as they should in a 6-card PLO game. I hovered near break-even. It felt like the rake was the only winner.

I was about to leave… then two new players joined.

And here’s where it got interesting.

Both bought in for 75 big blinds. That’s rarely a sign of a crusher. I sat up straighter.

Sure enough, these creatures—one a robot, the other a frog avatar—were here to not fold. They entered tons of pots, made somewhat questionable plays, and even scooped a big one on a miracle river. Suddenly, I was locked in again.

You don’t always get a shot to catch punts, even when the punt team takes the field. But this time, the cards cooperated.

I picked up a monster:

A♣ Q♦ J♦ 5♣ 3♠ 2❤️
Three Broadway cards. Four wheel cards.

Wait—what? Tricked you.

I potted it from the small blind. One of the new players had limped and called my raise. Flop came:

9♣ 4♣ 7❤️

I flopped the world:

• Nut flush draw

• Gutshot to a straight

• Uncounterfeitable nut-low draw

Any non-pairing low card would give me the nut low, letting me freeroll the high.

I bet pot—trying to get all the chips in fast. Sadly, Frog just called.

Turn: T♣

Nut flush = locked. But it also completed some straights and weaker flushes. I checked, hoping to induce.

Frog obliged—pot bet.

I jammed. Snap-call.

Now, here’s the kicker. This platform allows you to run it multiple times. But the option didn’t even appear. Why?

My opponent had zero equity.

They showed a king-high flush, no redraws, no low. A stone punt. NFL-quality.

They didn’t rebuy. I racked up.

Three-Card Poker (or 3-card poker) is one of the most popular table games found in casinos around the world. It’s a great game for beginners thanks to its simplicity and familiar poker hand rankings like pairs, flushes, and straights.

Whether you're visiting a physical casino or playing online, 3-card poker is a fun alternative to traditional casino staples like roulette or blackjack.

🎮 Getting Started

To play 3-card poker, simply:

• Find an open seat at a 3-card poker table.

• Buy in with the table minimum (often $10 in low-stakes games).

• Start with two bets: Ante Wager (required) and Pair Plus (optional but highly recommended).

📜 Basic Rules of 3-Card Poker

• Each player and the dealer are dealt three face-down cards.

• Players look at their cards and choose to fold (forfeit their ante) or play (by placing a Play Wager equal to their ante).

• The dealer reveals their cards. Their hand must qualify with Queen-high or better.

🪙 Bet Types

1. Ante Wager

• Mandatory to play the hand.

• If you fold, you lose this bet.

• If you play and beat the dealer, both the Ante and Play wagers pay 1:1.

• If the dealer doesn't qualify, Ante pays 1:1, and the Play bet is returned.

• Eligible hands may also win an Ante Bonus.

2. Play Wager

• Equal to the Ante.

• Placed only if you decide to play after seeing your cards.

3. Pair Plus Bet

• Optional side bet that pays if you have a pair or better—regardless of the dealer’s hand.

• It’s often the most profitable bet if luck is on your side.

💰 Payouts

Pair Plus Odds

Ante Bonus Payouts

🃏 3-Card Poker Hand Rankings (Weakest to Strongest)

1. High Card – No connection between cards. Ranked by the highest card (Ace-high is best).

2. One Pair – Two cards of the same rank (e.g., two Kings).

3. Flush – Three cards of the same suit (e.g., ♥6 ♥10 ♥K).

4. Straight – Three consecutive cards (e.g., 9-10-J, regardless of suit).

5. Three-of-a-Kind – All three cards of the same rank (e.g., Q-Q-Q).

6. Straight Flush – Three consecutive cards of the same suit (e.g., ♣10 ♣J ♣Q).

7. Mini Royal Flush – A♠ K♠ Q♠ (or any suited A-K-Q combo). No suit beats another.

📝 Note: Unlike traditional poker, a straight beats a flush in 3-card poker, and three-of-a-kind beats both.

Boy, was I wrong. This is not new, but maybe you can learn from my mistake.

This hand came to me via Ben Adler, of whom you’ve read in these pages. He was sitting in a $5/10 NLHE game in Las Vegas, and got involved in the following pot:

With effective stacks of $1500, Ben opens A♣T♣ to $40 from UTG+2, and gets three callers. With $160 in the pot, the flop is a delightful K♣Q❤️3♣, giving our hero the nut flush draw and a gutshot to Broadway.

He bets $120, gets one fold, and then a middle position player raises to $360. It folds back to Ben, and he ?

A bunch of us in the Hand History Lounge immediately jumped in and said (in more or fewer words):

• You have a ton of equity, almost regardless of what the villain has.
• You may have some fold equity against a hand such as AQ, which you’d be delighted to fold out.
• It will be hard to realize your equity from out-of-position against the post-flop raiser. The most likely outcome of calling is that the turn will be a brick, you’ll check, they’ll bet, and you have to fold away all that equity.

Thus, we argued, you should shove all $1500 in. Maybe they fold, and if they don’t fold, at least you get to see two cards with pretty good equity.

That all seemed great, at the time. However, it ignored two important points.

Point 1: This didn’t come up in the discussion on the HHL, but it’s worth mentioning here. The flop went four ways. That’s three other hands that Ben has to worry about, any of which could have him beaten. This is something that Andrew Brokos talked about recently – that when a hand goes massively multi-way to the flop (and four ways counts), that becomes the defining feature of the hand. The hand strength requirements shoot up because it’s so easy for one of the hands to beat you. Remember, our game doesn’t pay for second place.

Point 2: Benton Blakeman, the host of HHL, let us pontificate for a while (and yes, yours truly was in the “jam it in his face” camp). Then he pointed out what we had completely missed – that card removal made it extremely unlikely that the villain was bluffing.

Here’s how that goes: if we want the villain to fold to our shove, we want them to be bluffing, rather than have a value hand. When I say “bluffing,” I really mean “semi-bluffing,” a term coined by David Sklansky. That is, you’re bluffing now, but if you get called, you have outs to hit the best hand. An obvious bluffing hand would be the ace-high club flush draw.

But we have a problem, Houston – we’re looking at the ace-high flush draw. They can’t have the king-high flush draw because the king of clubs is on the board.

Hmmm. Wait! JT would be an open-end straight draw, and J♣T♣ would be a monster flush+straight draw that we’re beating right now. Oops - we’re looking at the ten of the trump suit (clubs). Could the villain have some other JT combination that they’re bluffing with? Yeeeeeessss…. But it’s not terribly likely.

The sad fact is that we block all the most likely draws that our opponent might bluff with. And, our opponent is the one out of four who looked at the flop, and thought: “I don’t care that the preflop raiser bet 75% of the pot – I want to put more chips in. Even though there are still other people in the pot.”

Benton ran this hand by another $5/10 regular, who had the same response, and also mentioned that they’d bet smaller, being out of position against a bunch of opponents. But they had the same response to the raise: call, and plan to hit on the turn.

So we should call. What happens when we don’t hit the turn? We check, and usually fold. That’s just what happens sometimes, and that’s what both Benton and the other $5/10 regular suggested. It’s worth noting that many people would think this is an easy shove. Benton later wrote:

For the record, on the surface, this looks like a slam dunk shove so don’t feel bad for going that route. It’s just one of those spots where card removal (and his aggressive action) actually trumps our standard line. Interesting spot.

Okay, Lee – what actually happened? First, my standard disclaimer: it doesn’t matter. Either Ben made a good choice, or he didn’t. His choice, whether it was a good one or not, worked out well. Unless it didn’t. What matters here is process – thinking through our options and doing the right thing based on the information we have.

As played, Ben shoved, and got called by a value hand. I don’t even know what it was – it’s not important. Also unimportant for this discussion, Ben didn’t get there, and lost all his chips.

The moral of this tale is not what happened. It’s that Ben (and subsequently, a bunch of us in the HHL) looked at the surface of this problem, and didn’t go the next level up to consider the actual likelihood that the villain was bluffing.

Sometimes it’s perfectly grand to shove a big combo draw such as Ben had. But you need to look deeper into the problem first.

That’s a beautifully written piece—gentle, warm, and quietly profound. It’s not just about poker; it’s about the human moments that happen around it. The way Happy brings life and light to the table, even while facing something as heavy as chemo, gives the story a bittersweet grace. You can feel how much he values that time at the felt, how those shared hands and old stories are a kind of medicine of their own.

Lee Jones does a brilliant job of letting the mood unfold naturally. No overstatement, no sentimentality—just a sincere, observational narrative that hits in the heart. There’s also this underlying reminder that joy and gratitude don’t need grand gestures—sometimes, it’s just good company, a lucky run of cards, and carnitas tacos delivered by a friend.

I’ve said this before, but I’ll say it again: I love poker vloggers. They’ve brought the buzz of live poker right into our laptops and phones. There’s no doubt that they’ve encouraged hundreds (thousands?) of people to make their first foray into the joy of live poker. If you’re a poker vlogger, the next beer is on me, wherever we bump into each other.

But let’s be clear – these vlogs are for entertainment, not necessarily education. If they were for education, they’d be called “training videos.” Certainly, some of the vloggers are extremely strong players, and their analysis can teach you a lot about correct strategy. However, no vlogger I’m aware of sells their product as poker coaching. Their job is to weave a compelling narrative, not improve your game.

Which brings me to one of the things that I hear a lot, and wish I didn’t. Our hero, right there in front of us on the screen, makes a big hand. Flops a set or top two pair. Something that would be delighted to pile chips into the pot. The action is checked to them, and they say, “So I bet half the pot.” No, wait. That’s not what they say. They say, “So I check, for deception.”

Here’s the deal: it’s really hard to make a hand like a set or top two pair. And when you do, you only have three betting rounds to pile chips into the pot. Now, if you’re in a tournament, and the stacks are 40-50 big blinds (BBs), it’s a lot easier to get stacks in. But if you’re in a cash game with 100, or 200, or 400 BBs, your goal should be to get as many of those as possible into the middle.

Almost always, the best way to do this is the most obvious thing: bet at every chance you get.

You hear people talk about a “three-street” value hand. That is, a hand that can reasonably bet all three post-flop streets, and expect to get called by a worse hand. Three-street hands don’t come along very often, so leverage them. This is particularly important because that third bet is the biggest of the bunch. Let’s look at an example:

I open AKo to 3 BBs. The big blind calls. We have 6 BBs in the pot, and we both started with 100 BBs. The flop is a perfect A-K-4 rainbow. My opponent checks, I bet 3 BBs, they call. Now we have 12 BBs in the pot. The turn is a T, bringing a backdoor flush draw. They check again. I bet 9 BBs. By the way, I should seriously consider overbetting this street for 15 or even 18 BBs. But I bet 9, and the villain calls. Now there’s 30 BBs in the pot, and the river is a beautiful offsuit 7, changing nothing. My opponent checks a third time. What’s my target? I’m thinking hands like AJ and AQ that flopped top pair, then picked up a gutshot to Broadway on the turn. Plenty of people can’t fold AQ or AJ to a reasonable bet. It’s also possible they could have AT or KT, which would be lovely. There are plenty of strong second-best hands to target, so I’m going for a healthy size: 20 BBs into the pot of 30 BBs.

Here’s the thing: if I had checked the flop, (the voiceover on my vlog says, “I have this board crushed – I want to let them catch up”), I don’t get that 20 BB bet on the end. I get two streets of value from a solidly three-street hand.

“But Lee, if I do that, then they’ll know I have a monster, and fold.”

Note that our game has two forms of deception: you can represent a weak hand when you have a strong hand, or you can represent a strong hand when you have a weak one.

It’s better to mix bluffs (mostly semi-bluffs) in with your strong hands than to pass up opportunities to put chips in with the best hand.

I’m not suggesting that when you check, it always means you have a weak hand. But such deception is expensive – you should use it sparingly and thoughtfully. Before you check a strong hand, ask yourself, “How am I going to recoup the cost of checking this street, and how will this play allow me to do it?”

If you don’t have a good answer to that question, bet.

Typically when I chat with my friend (and legendary poker player and author) Tommy Angelo, it’s not about poker. For example:

Me: “I just found out that Jimmy Page played on Joe Cocker’s cover of ‘Little Help From My Friends!’”

Tommy: “Wait, what? I didn’t know that, but now that I’m listening, yes, I hear it…” Followed by an in-depth discussion of Page’s string-bending technique.

Yesterday we did talk about poker because I came to our call with a question. I wanted to ask Tommy about a specific tipping practice, and about accounting for it in my accounting.

We’ve covered this subject both privately and publicly before, but I was fresh off a healthy winning session, and realized I’d tipped away half an hour’s expected earnings to janitors, floorpeople, and wait staff.

I won’t bore you with the details of our conversation (the Jimmy Page discussion was much more interesting), but there was an important takeaway…

Tommy and I long ago realized that, once you reach a point of financial security, by giving away some of your money, you increase global happiness.

That is, let’s say I’ve just won a $1k pot in a $5/10 game. At about that time, a new player sits down. At my regular cardroom, before that player is seated, one of the janitorial staff steps in and wipes down the chair and rail with a sanitizing spray. Here I sit with two racks of $5 chips in front of me in a beautiful messy pile. Let’s suppose I reach over and hand one of those chips to the person cleaning the table. Can you see that it’s missing from the pile? I certainly can’t. Can you see the smile on the cleaner’s face, and hear the, “Thank you so much.”? Yeah, me too.

It’s happiness magic. That’s what it is. The change to my financial comfort, even in the context of my poker session, is indiscernible. But that person, who does a thankless but important job, has their day brightened. Not only because the $5 helps pay their bills, but because they were seen and appreciated. And, as Tommy pointed out, any time we tip more than is necessary not to be a jerk, we’re also doing it for our own happiness. Sharing is good for the soul.

How, then, to record all this extra tipping I do at the club? Should that be subtracted from my win? I’m not in the habit of accounting for dealer tips in my poker results. My poker profit is the amount of chips I cashed out, minus the amount of chips I bought (whether that number be positive or negative). I don’t discriminate between a couple of bucks tossed to the dealer or $100 sent to the #3 seats with a weak top pair call.

But now I’m thinking I should treat those extra tips as part of my “cash out” amount, and here’s why.

Couple of weeks ago, three kids from our neighborhood came by the house. They’re in a fabric and design club at the high school. A nearby church is building “tiny homes” for people in our community who have nowhere to live. The kids’ club decided that they’d find and purchase used furniture, then use their nascent fabric and design skills to refurbish this furniture and help the church furnish the new tiny homes. Would we be interested in contributing to the furniture purchase fund?

I stepped away, discreetly peeled a hundred-dollar bill from my poker bankroll, and came back to the door.

I held out the bill – “Here, add this to your furniture budget.”

That $100 was long ago entered into my poker results tracking app, doing its part to improve my stats. Why not allow those tipped chips to do their part as well, even after they’ve been distributed to deserving employees at my poker room?

I don’t have to keep detailed notes about it – in fact, that would spoil some of the fun. But I’ve now given myself permission to wave my hands and say, “I gave away $25 in random tips today” when I enter my session results. Then I add $25 to the “cash out” amount for that session, and marginally increase my swagger as I review my BB/hour numbers.

Tommy, he’d see that as a win. Because he knows that I can now pass out more tips without affecting my session stats. He’s been preaching for years about how you should have a separate column for “rake + tips” in your accounting ledger. He teaches that this is the only way to obtain accurate data as to how well or poorly you’re doing at the actual pokering, rather than merging the results of your betting decisions with the cost of doing business.

Me, I’m going to leave the dealer tips and the rake baked into my stats. I see those as part of the whole – the business expenses if you will. But I will separate out the global-happiness tips, like the $5 chip I toss to the security guy on my way out the door. That’s a smile for him and a smile for me.

🔑 What is Poker Equity?

• Definition: Your share of the pot based on the probability of winning the hand.

• Not guaranteed: Equity shows what you should win on average, not what you will win.

• Example: If you have 81% equity in a $100 pot, your expected value is $81.

💡 Types of Poker Equity

1. Hand Equity:

   • Refers to how strong your hand is vs. an opponent's range.

   • Use tools like equity calculators (e.g., PokerStove, Equilab).

2. Fold Equity:

   • The value you gain when your opponent folds to your bet.

   • Increases with factors like position, bet sizing, and opponent tendencies.

📊 How to Calculate Equity

Rule of 2 and 4:

• Use when calculating draw potential:

  • After the flop: Outs × 4 = % chance to hit

  • After the turn: Outs × 2 = % chance to hit

Example:

• You have a flush draw (9 outs) after the flop:

  • 9 × 4 = 36% chance of completing your flush by the river.

🎯 Using Equity Strategically

• Combine with stack size, position, and opponent profiles to make optimal decisions.

• In tournaments, adjust based on bubble play, stack depth, and reentry formats.

• Reading opponents enhances your ability to assign accurate ranges and adjust strategy.

🧠 Range Equity

• Understand your hand vs. opponent's range.

• Important for advanced decisions, especially in heads-up or multi-street scenarios.

📐 Pot Odds vs. Equity

• Pot odds help decide if a call is profitable.

• If your equity > pot odds, it’s generally a good call.

Example:

• Pot: $100

• Opponent bets $50 → You must call $50 to win $150 total → 3:1 odds

• Needed equity = 25%. If you have more than 25% chance of winning, you should call.

✅ Final Tips

• Start with hand equity and pot odds.

• Gradually learn to estimate fold equity and assign hand ranges.

• Use poker software/tools to analyze hands and improve intuition.

A new book titled Getting Started with HORSE Poker - Mixing It Up: Volume 1 has hit the shelves, authored by Chris "Fox" Wallace along with Michael and Robert Mizrachi, and conceptualized by Australian player Tatiana Fox. It aims to fill the gap in poker literature focused on H.O.R.S.E.—a mixed-game format including Hold’em, Omaha-8, Razz, Stud, and Stud-8.

Despite its title, the 270-page book targets intermediate players, offering strategy insights, hand-reading tips, common mistakes, and example hands. The authors—collectively holding 10 WSOP bracelets, mostly in mixed games—use a consistent format to dive into each variant.

Rob Mizrachi shared that the book took nearly two years to complete, emphasizing how hard it is to master all five formats. He highlighted the importance of board-reading, especially in the stud-based games, noting that even basics like “starting with an ace” are crucial.

While it may not cover every nuance of H.O.R.S.E., the book delivers a substantial foundation for those looking to get serious about mixed-game play.

What is a good EV in poker?

Good EV or positive EV in poker is a decision that has a positive result in the long run. If you make that decision in various situations multiplied by hundreds or thousands of instances, and it creates a positive end result, that decision is +EV even if in isolated moments the result is negative.

The best example is preflop pocket aces. They’re the best starting hand in Texas hold’em. Pocket aces will win 85% of the time against another hand (in heads-up poker). Against a table full of other poker players, aces still hold positive equity of 35%. This is positive EV.

Of course, another hand will crack those aces from time to time. You may even lose with pocket aces several times in a row, though the odds of that happening are low. But over time, those pocket aces have more than 20 times the expected value of most other solid starting hands.

Good EV is anything over 50%. While other factors influence poker decisions, good EV should be one of the most important ones.

The EV poker formula

The EV formula itself is fairly simple. To calculate it, multiply the percentage of times you can win by the amount of money you can win. From that, subtract the percentage of times you can lose by the amount of money you can lose.

• EV = % win rate x $ to win (minus) % of loss rate to $ to lose

The formula becomes a bit more complicated when calculating EV in a single poker hand. The money you could win or lose includes the amount of the bet or raise, the amount required to call, and knowledge of the amount of money in the pot or pot size.

Remember that the money that you may lose can’t include the blinds and antes. That money is already in the pot and isn’t considered part of the calculation.

Most people use an equity calculator to figure out the percentage of time they may win a hand. Eventually, skilled players understand these basic calculations without a calculator. You should consider the most likely hands your opponent holds — also known as their hand ranges — so you can find the equity in playing your cards against them. You can use that to calculate your win rate.

+EV vs. -EV

When the “win” part of the equation is greater than the “loss” part, the best possible outcome is a positive dollar amount. This makes it a +EV or positive EV situation. Positive EV means that the player should call the bet or raise, because they have a better chance of winning money in the hand.

If the loss potential is greater than the win potential, the move is a -EV one. While we can make some arguments in favor of calling under special circumstances, a negative EV play is one with a negative expected value. That indicates the player should fold on that bet.

As for special circumstances, other factors can sometimes come into play. Your opponent may have a short stack and seem like they want to exit the poker game. They may take more chances with their hand than the typical charts may indicate. They may also be tilted or otherwise mentally compromised, giving you an additional reason to call.

+EV vs. Optimal

“Optimal” play is a modern poker concept, often referred to as Game Theory Optimal (GTO). It’s a defensive strategy that assumes your opponent is playing less than optimally. Your strategy is then based on playing optimal poker vs an opponent who may be making mistakes.

When you use GTO, you gather information about your opponent’s actions to determine their hand ranges, which are the assortment of hands that they may play a particular way or in certain situations. Playing optimally against them requires an analysis of their plays and considering the best strategies to use against them.

In any given hand, the optimal play can determine the EV. In this way, GTO and EV cross paths to work toward the best possible scenario. Combining both strategies can give you the upper hand because you’re both playing optimally and seeking positive EV.

When optimal analysis shows negative EV in a particular situation, you can still play the GTO method by the exact numbers, but lining up GTO play with EV gives a firmer answer about how to play a certain hand or how to play against a particular player.

In online poker, EV is easier to calculate. In live poker, however, players can often determine optimal plays more quickly than EV and use it accordingly.

Using expected value at the poker table

New players should take time to study poker EV and practice doing quick calculations. A player should be fairly well versed in the EV formula and know how to quickly calculate percentages and other figures so they don’t become confused at the poker table. In addition, taking too long to calculate EV and move on with your play may indicate to an opponent that you’re a new player and prone to mistakes.

It’s best to make EV calculations and build your poker strategy at online tables. You can use solvers or even a basic calculator to determine whether a hand has positive EV or negative expected value. This hones your skills in private before taking the concept to poker tables in casinos.

You should avoid spending too much time working on EV formulas at live poker tables. Too much head-scratching can frustrate other players and the dealers. Using the Rule of Two and Four below can help you use estimates and broad calculations to make quicker decisions and keep the game moving. With practice, your EV calculations can speed up, avoiding uncomfortable delays.

Note that there are often several EV calculations in play. With options such as checking, betting, or raising, you should calculate several possible EV situations in order to determine the best one.

EV and strategic betting

Expected value is a factor in determining bet sizing and moves.

When you can calculate EV quickly and determine one or more +EV moves, you can adjust your bets to maximize those moves.

If you’re certain that you hold the best hand, you can bet small to try to persuade your opponent to call with a suboptimal hand. You should also consider making this move if you’re unsure about your player’s hole cards. A small bet can provide an opportunity for the opponent to make a move that more accurately indicates their hand strength or hand weakness.

The most common way to use EV in betting strategy is to determine whether to bet or check. You should be able to determine the expected value in both options. Sometimes, both values will be the same and the final calculations will dictate a bet or check.

For example, if the win percentage and loss percentage equal 100% but are quite close, the player needs to make a judgment call on the spot. Most often, the formula will determine the playability of the hand and the proper way to respond. Sometimes, that is a check-raise, and other times it could be a complete fold.

The beauty of poker is the skill factor and the need to keep learning.

What is the fastest way to calculate expected value?

The formula to calculate expected value is simple and straightforward, but it can be difficult to calculate EV in the moment while you’re at the poker table. It takes practice and experience to do it fast, so you don’t disrupt the play.

Many new players simply use the Rule of 2 and 4 to get an approximate expected value. The rule requires you to simply know your outs. If you’re looking for a flush or straight, you should be able to calculate the number of cards in the deck that could make that happen.

Quite simply, multiply the number of outs required by two. Then add two to that number. For example, if you have a flush draw with nine outs, you should multiply that by two (to get 18) and add two (to get 20). That gives you approximately 20% equity in the hand.

If that hand equity is greater than the pot equity, you have +EV.

Recommended tools for using EV in poker

When practicing EV in online poker, it helps to use a solver. While most sites prohibit the use of solvers in regular gameplay, they’re a good way to learn the concepts and practice them.

The most commonly used EV programs include versions of Holdem Manager, Poker Tracker, and PokerSnowie. Some software can be expensive, so new players often share the cost with each other. However, even for one player, a solver is an investment in poker knowledge that can pay off in the future.

Some online poker sites like PokerStars and 888poker also offer solver tools. These can help with everything from basic pot odds to bluff equity and fold equity. Even some of the basic information in an educational poker program is helpful, such as the ability to see chip stacks in big blinds instead of larger numbers.

The takeaway

Expected value is a way to make better, more profitable decisions in poker, so you can maximize profits in the long term.

Making positive EV plays reduces your overall variance in poker. It keeps you from using instincts that may not always be correct, replacing those poor decisions with mathematically sound ones. EV doesn’t protect players from bad beats, but it does reduce their frequency.

The expected value calculation is also a tool to help players improve their overall understanding of the game. It can increase profits and reduce variance for long-term players who want to make the most of their poker experiences. Learn to use EV well, and you’ll be on your way to becoming a winning poker player.

Story Summary:

• Lee takes a gutsy, rare line in a $3/5 NL game by check-raising a semi-bluff with jack-high.

• He recognizes that the old version of himself would’ve played passively, but this time he embraces risk.

• His read on the players (Zeke’s weak bet sizing, David’s tilt-induced aggression) gives him confidence.

• Both opponents fold, and Lee wins the pot without even needing to improve.

Theme:

• Growth in poker (and life) sometimes means stepping outside your comfort zone.

• Trusting your instincts, seizing initiative, and not always playing it safe can bring big rewards.

• It’s not about reckless aggression, but calculated courage.

One thing almost all poker players think about is: “How can I move up to the next higher stake?” The $1/3 players want to play $2/5. The $100 buy-in tournament fan thinks about the $500 tournament. Not surprisingly, the poker literature and media are full of suggestions about how to do it.

But a couple of days ago, a colleague at the Hand History Lounge wrote that they wanted to move up to bigger games. They got some very good advice, most of which hewed to the usual things that you hear. I actually had a couple of unexpected thoughts pop into my head, so I’m going to share those here.

But first, let’s run through the traditional list, just for completeness:

1. Take your first shot at the bigger game when you’re in your best poker place. Do it coming off a win in your regular game, and are feeling great about how you’re playing. Very specifically, do not do it to try to quickly recover losses from your regular game. This rarely ends well.
2. Game-select carefully. If you see a couple of the fish from your regular game splashing in the bigger game, that’s a good first sign that it’s time to try stepping up. Wednesday morning at 11:00am will rarely be the best time to take your first swing in a bigger league, especially if the stakes are high enough to support professional players. Go on a Friday evening or Sunday afternoon when the recreational coefficient will be much higher.
3. Do not be afraid to buy in short-ish. Maybe you’re used to playing 100 or 150 BB deep. It’s totally fine to buy in 100 or 80 BBs. That limits your dollar exposure while you adapt to the new surroundings. However, if you buy in much shorter than 80 BBs (and are used to 100 BBs or more) then you have to adapt your game to the new shorter stack. For instance, you may find that you can’t correctly set-mine with your pocket sixes. If you’re not sure how to play a 70 BB stack, either buy in for the full 100 BBs, or do some study and make sure you can correctly play 70 BBs. Either choice is totally acceptable, but playing a 150 BB strategy on a 70 BB stack is not.
4. Do not succumb to Fancy Play Syndrome just because you’ve stepped up a stake level. Yes, the competition may be a little tougher, but I promise you, they’re still making plenty of mistakes. Just play your steady game, and avoid some marginal spots. If you’re a comfortable winner in your usual game, you can hold your own at the next table up, as long as you play your A-game and don’t let the numbers freak you out.
5. To the point of numbers freaking you out, they will, initially. When you’re used to a 3-bet being to $25, and suddenly the 3-bet is to $90, all of your baked-in alarms about money will go off. See if you can adjust your lens to think big blind units (BBs). That’s a 4-BB raise. That’s a 14-BB 3-bet. That’s a 30%-pot bet, that’s a 75%-pot bet. Practice in your regular game, and then translate when you move up. It will mitigate (though not eliminate) the absolute dollar shock.
6. Don’t be afraid to hit and run (or “get hit and run”). If you play for an hour, and have learned something and adjusted a bit to the dollar amounts, it’s fine (perhaps advisable) to slide out of your chair and hit the cage. Especially if you happened to flop a set and win a healthy pot, take your win and enjoy it. Ignore – ignore, I say – any looks or comments from the regulars. You have zero obligation to stick around, win or lose. If you want to book a win and go celebrate it after an hour, I’m explicitly giving you permission to do so, right here.

Okay, that’s a synopsis of the usual advice that you get. Heed it. Now here’s Lee’s two extra bonus suggestions.

Move out to move up

My friend in the Hand History Lounge lives in Las Vegas, and they want to advance from $2/5 games to $5/10 games. Here’s the thing: Las Vegas $5/10 games are notoriously tough. Why? Because there’s a constant influx of tourists to provide fodder for the pros. And the whole Las Vegas vibe encourages people to play bigger, play above their bankrolls, take shots (bigger stakes and/or distilled spirits), etc. Did I mention free booze? Furthermore, the relatively low cost of living there allows a competent $5/10 pro to have a decent lifestyle. Except for all the other $5/10 pros, it’s a great place to be a $5/10 pro.

My suggestion: get out of town. Go play somewhere where games are softer. It’s a quick trip down to L.A. from Vegas. Certainly, there will be some pros in the L.A. $5/10 games, but the cost of living in L.A. does not rest well on a $5/10 pro. There’s plenty of bigger action, too, so the toughest players will be in larger games. Of course, this is true in Las Vegas as well, but the tough pro coefficient in an L.A. game will be lower than Las Vegas. The same is true of any place that, well, that isn’t Las Vegas. The San Francisco Bay Area, Washington/Baltimore region, Florida. Find a place where the game you want to play isn’t the biggest game in the room, and the cost of living is higher than Las Vegas.

A sneaky side benefit of this play is that you won’t be recognized as a shot-taker. If you move up in your regular room, everybody is going to notice it. “Hey, look – Bob is playing the $3/5 game. He’s a $1/3 grinder, isn’t he?” And yes, the $3/5 regs will notice too. Don’t expect flowers and chocolates as a welcome. Go somewhere that you’re anonymous, and don’t tell them it’s your first shot at $5/10. For all they know, you’re a $5/10 crusher. And you know what – you might be one.

Share the risk

People get backing for tournaments all the time. If you’re considering moving up in tournament stakes, you’re probably already thinking about asking friends and buddies if they want a piece of that. There’s no reason you can’t do it for a cash game too.

Of course, you need to do it with people who understand the risks involved. And that they’re not going to get a 10x return on their investment. I would probably lead with, “You’re probably going to lose this money, but…” Simply tell them that you want to put together a $1200 bankroll to try the $2/5 game. Would they be interested in investing $400 to own a 1/3 share of the results, good or bad?

One of the nice things about this is that you and your friend can jointly decide to end the experiment at any time you wish. You can call them after an hour and say, “Hey - we’re up 90 BBs! You wanna press on, or take our profit and go eat ice cream?”

As with any backing arrangement, make sure the ground rules are clear on both sides, and that your backer is aware of the risk involved. Most importantly, be sure that if you dust off the entire bankroll (coolers happen), it won’t damage your relationship with the backer. No shot at a bigger game is worth that.

In short…

Taking a shot at higher stakes is one of the most enjoyable and exciting things you can do as a poker player. Don’t deny yourself the opportunity, but do it with open eyes and reasonable expectations. Who knows – that temporary visit to the $2/5 table could end up being a permanent change of address.

PokerOrg’s Bankroll section is brought to you in association with MuchBetter, the award-winning e-wallet that lets you store, send, and move money quickly and easily.

What is HORSE poker?

H.O.R.S.E. is an acronym referring to five different types of poker games played in rotation. Because H.O.R.S.E. poker games include a collection of mixed games, it’s important to fully understand each of the games involved.

Poker games like Texas Hold’em and Omaha are incredibly popular these days, but it’s possible that you may get bored from the lack of variety. In that case, it’s easy to switch things up a bit by joining a H.O.R.S.E. tournament or incorporating a H.O.R.S.E. game to your weekly card night with friends.

Experienced poker players who love a challenge should check out joining a H.O.R.S.E. table on their next visit to a poker room. Part of the fun of playing H.O.R.S.E. is the need to completely shift strategies from game to game.

Newer poker players may feel intimidated by the idea of keeping track of five different poker variants in the same sitting, but we’ll lay out all the important information for you to get started.

What are the 5 poker games in H.O.R.S.E.?

The acronym H.O.R.S.E. includes the following popular poker games:

Texas Hold’em

Texas hold’em is one of the most common poker games. It’s a flop game in which players use any of their two hole cards and the five community cards to create the best hand.

Omaha

Omaha is also a flop game, except each player gets four hole cards. Players have to build their hands with two of their hole cards and three of the five community cards.

Razz

Razz is a stud game similar to seven-card stud, except each player competes for the lowest hand ranking.

Seven-card stud

In seven-card stud, each player is dealt seven cards. Three cards are face down and four cards are face up. Players compete for a five card high hand.

Eight or better (Stud Hi-Lo)

Also called seven-card stud Hi-Lo (eight or better) or Stud8, this stud poker game has a split pot between players with the low hand and the high hand.

H.O.R.S.E. poker rules

While each poker variant has its own rules, hand rankings, and strategies, there are a few overarching rules to pay attention to if you’re joining a H.O.R.S.E. poker table.

Whether you’re playing at the WSOP, in a H.O.R.S.E. championship, or in a low-stakes game with friends, you need to focus not just on each individual game but the game series as a whole.

Game order and duration

The five poker variants in a game of H.O.R.S.E. are always played in the same order according to the acronym. No matter what, you’ll always play in this order if it’s a true H.O.R.S.E. poker game:

1. Hold’em
2. Omaha
3. Razz
4. Seven-card stud
5. Stud Hi-Lo 8 or better

It’s typically easy to tell when you’re switching to the next style of game, but just in case, the dealer should always keep you informed. They can do this verbally and by placing a sign on the table denoting the game.

If you’re playing online poker, most poker sites will show you on the screen which variation you’re currently playing.

Each game is played through a full orbit, so every player has a chance to play the dealer button before moving to the next variation.

How does H.O.R.S.E. poker work?

In almost every case, each variant in the H.O.R.S.E. poker rotation is played with fixed limits betting structures.

There are two distinct styles of poker variations in a H.O.R.S.E. poker game: flop games, like Hold’em and Omaha with community cards, and board games, like the stud variants.

There are also two types of pots in H.O.R.S.E. In most games, the winner takes all, but eight or better is always a split pot. Also, Omaha is sometimes played as a split pot depending on the poker room’s house rules.

In split pot games, the high hand takes half the pot and the low hand takes the other half. If you’re playing eight or better and one player has both the high hand and the low hand, they get the whole pot. When you win both halves of a split pot, that’s called “scooping.”

H.O.R.S.E. poker strategy

Think of playing H.O.R.S.E. poker as participating in a multi-sport event like a triathlon. You may be an excellent Hold’em player, but if you’re weak with stud poker variations, you could struggle in a H.O.R.S.E. tournament.

Master each game independently first

A H.O.R.S.E. table isn’t a great setting for playing your very first game of Razz or trying Omaha for the first time.

With five games in rotation, you have five chances to win — and five opportunities to lose. Make sure you’re experienced in each game individually. That means you should recognize your odds for each variant, remember the hand rankings for each game, and become familiar with the overall game mechanics.

Track the betting rounds

Remember that stud poker games have one more betting round than flop games. If you normally play Omaha or Hold’em, pay attention to the betting rounds and your opponents' visible cards to avoid costly mistakes.

Chances to scoop

Scooping is a great way to make the most profit off of your poker hand. If you are playing Omaha Hi-Lo split, or eight or better, focus on crafting a hand that works well for winning both sides of the pot.

Watch your opponents carefully

Every poker player has a strongest game and a weakest game. Though many experienced players have learned to control their tells and responses, some newer players will change their body language when they feel overwhelmed or less confident.

Always keep careful track of which variant you’re playing

As mentioned, HORSE poker games are like triathlons, and not just because you’re playing a variety of games. You’re also playing a full orbit of each game. Try to stay engaged even when you fold so you can track which game is happening and when the game is switched.

Tracking variants is also especially important because the hand rankings change depending on which game you’re playing.

Where to play H.O.R.S.E. poker online

If you prefer online poker or you don’t have a poker room or casino near your home, then your first opportunity to play H.O.R.S.E. may be on a poker site or app.

H.O.R.S.E. isn’t that common online because many poker sites are coded for one specific poker variation or another. Setting up an online poker game to shift through multiple variants tends to be more complex, which is why it’s not as widespread on the web.

Currently, PokerStars is your best bet for playing H.O.R.S.E. online thanks to their advanced coding capabilities and large pool of poker players.

Good afternoon, please have a seat. My name is Illya Kuryakin. For many years, I was an agent at the United Network Command for Law and Enforcement, better known as "U.N.C.L.E." During that time, I was engaged in international espionage – “spying,” if you will – to support and defend democracies around the world. After I retired from that, I became a doctor, and ultimately a medical examiner for the U.S. Navy. Recently, though, I was asked to give you some training for your upcoming assignment. The combination of interesting work and excellent compensation was more than I could pass up.

First, I am told that you know nothing of what you are expected to do. So I will lay out your assignment. Please take detailed notes and ask any questions you might have.

The Assignment

When you leave this room, you will be handed a PokerStars Platinum Pass.

Beginning today, you must play at least one hour of poker in a legal American poker room every two days for the next 18 days.

Each time you depart a poker room

During these 18 days, you must produce a video of yourself playing in every poker room in which you play a hand. On travel days, you must produce a video of yourself in front of a place of business. All of these videos will be published on public Internet channels. If you make it to the end of the 18-day period without anyone “capturing” you, you keep the Platinum Pass and play poker for millions of dollars in the Bahamas. If you are “captured” during that 18-day period, you will get no compensation.

You have a modest travel budget that allows for car rental and flights. You will also be given cash to support the requirements of your assignment.

Going Dark

The Platinum Pass is worth $30,000 – perhaps many multiples of that, if you are skilled and fortunate. But more importantly, it will give you a once-in-a-lifetime experience in an exotic tropical location. I, myself, have fond memories of the Bahamas, in particular a month at the Navy’s AUTEC on Andros Island. There are many stories, both professional and personal, about that time which I could tell, but of course, I shan’t.

And that goes directly to my next point, which is the key to everything I say here. If you remember none of the details of this lecture, remember this:

You must go dark.

“Going dark” is an expression in the espionage trade. It means to do everything necessary to be sure that you are not being followed or tracked in any way. Only once one is “dark” can they go about their actual mission, be that making a clandestine drop, picking up a drop, meeting a contact, etc. It involves changing clothing, never following a pattern, multiple modes of travel, doubling back on yourself, and so on. Professional spies spend years being trained in the skill of “going dark.”

You, however, have a few hours, and this little conversation.

You also have two hindrances that our typical “spy” does not.

First, consider a CIA agent stationed in Moscow. They will not be identified as such, of course. Their assignment will be as a State Department consular officer, or another legitimate diplomatic post. The Russians may suspect, or even know, that this person is not who they appear to be. But unless Boris can catch the agent doing something illicit, they can only watch. If the agent is successful at going dark, all is well. You, however, are caught the moment you are identified and engaged – the Platinum Pass will be taken from you, and the party is over.

As if that weren’t enough, you must occasionally poke holes in your cover of darkness and let pinpoints of light in. The videos you make will be shared far and wide. People around the United States will pore over these videos for any hint of where you are, and where you might be next.

Thus you must reveal as little as the rules of The Game permit, and restore your cloak as quickly and effectively as possible.

For better or worse, you belong to a generation that is addicted to attention, notoriety, and clicks. You “check in” at every cafe, nightclub, concert, and sporting event you attend. To many of your age, invisibility is your greatest fear.

And yet, for the next 18 days, invisibility will be your salvation. Listen closely.

Tradecraft

We don’t have enough time to give you more than a whisper of guidance, but I shall do my best to cover the important highlights.

Detach from the Internet. Do not take your mobile phone with you. It likely has software that allows other people to see your location. It has social media applications which follow you. I emphasize to you that the very word “follow” is the most fervent wish of many social media participants. You must not be followed. You must not check in. Do not go on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, or any other social media platform. You will be allowed “burner” phones, as you might buy at an electronics shop or convenience store. Use them only, and then only when absolutely necessary. If you have a laptop with you, be sure that it is on a VPN at all times. Better yet, don’t have a laptop.

Detach from people. I grant that detaching from your friends and family will be difficult. But you must minimize, to the finest degree possible, the number of people who know what you’re doing and where you are. Sadly, I had colleagues who lost their lives because they trusted the wrong person. Or worse, that trusted person unwittingly revealed my friend’s true identity and nature. Fortunately, your life is not at issue here, but for 18 days, you will do well to act as if it were. Ask yourself if it is absolutely vital that any specific person know your whereabouts. If the answer is “No,” then don’t tell them. My current employer, the United States Navy, has an old saying: “Loose lips sink ships.”

Shed your identities like yesterday’s newspaper. Start with your current identity. Leave your favorite baseball cap and sports team jersey at home. Wear clothes that are unlike the “you” that you know. Once a particular outfit or look has appeared in a video or picture on the Internet, drop it. Find your clothes at thrift stores or “cheap and cheerful” shops. Sunglasses and hats are your friend. They don’t look out of place in a poker room, but cloud many of the cues that humans use to recognize each other.

Choose poker rooms carefully. Small, out-of-the-way poker rooms have fewer people to recognize you, and reduce the probability of a chance encounter with somebody who is in The Game. However, such rooms usually have a small local player pool, and everybody knows everybody else. A stranger will be immediately marked as such, and you may get attention and questions you don’t want. Huge first-tier poker rooms offer anonymity, but also a large population of poker media aficionados. They will be talking at the table about the journey you are on, and wondering if any given person in the room might be you. This is a risk you don’t need. Ultimately, I believe your best bet is to find a compromise between those extremes. Stay away from the 2- and 3-table poker rooms where you will stand out from the locals like a sore thumb. But equally avoid the Aria, MGM National Harbor, and Seminole Hard Rock in Hollywood, Florida – all places where you will be a constant topic of conversation.

Blend in at the table. Do not be the loudest, or softest, person in your game. The same applies to your poker style – remember, your goal is not to win money, it is to be invisible. If limping in preflop is the common behavior, then do that. If 3-bets are rare, then don’t 3-bet – that simply attracts attention to yourself. Another suggestion: if there is a limit hold’em or Omaha/8 game in the room, play in that. That is well within the rules of The Game. But the players in those games will be older and more detached from the current poker media buzz of the day. Understand, however, that the people looking for you may start prowling limit hold’em and Omaha/8 games.

Hit and run. The rules of your assignment say that you must play at least one hour. Do not be at the table for 62 minutes.

Leave invisibly. Your single most vulnerable moment

Opportunity

There were five limps for $10 (yes, it was a good game) and then I made it $70 to go with J♠️T♠️ in the cutoff. The button folded, but by the time the smoke had cleared, four other people decided that if it was good enough for $10, it was good enough for $70. We went to the flop five ways with $350 in the pot, all of us about $1200 deep. I had already decided that I was playing fit-or-fold – I'm too old to get frisky with half the table seeing the flop. I whiffed a board of 4♣️-5♠️-9❤️. They all checked to me because I was the guy crazy enough to make a 7x open from the cutoff. Like I said, it's not my first rodeo, and I was done with the hand, so I checked too. Then came an awful sequence of events: the A♦️️ fell on the turn, and they all checked to me again.

You know, my friend (and former Runner) SlowPoker has a section in his (excellent) vlog called, "I didn't ask for this." It's when he's in the big blind with some piece of trash, there's no raise preflop, he checks, and then accidentally gets a piece of the flop. Hilarity often ensues.

Well, I didn't ask for this. When that card turned, one of my four opponents was going to bet, I'd fold and go back to wondering if our neighbors would have anything vegetarian in the buffet. But then they (my opponents, not my neighbors) all checked to me.

Am going to do this? This is obviously the single best card to turn, if it wasn't going to give me actual equity. Ultimately I decided that it would be sad if I made it all the way through 2022 without firing a real bluff, and this might be my last chance.

"$250, please."

The first three immediately folded and went back to their phones. But the last guy, who had limp/called from the lo-jack, had a tough decision. He and I had been at the table for two hours together, and he'd dusted off a handful of $500 buy-ins, mostly by calling too much. One of those losses had been when he tank-agonize-called my shove on the river, and got shown my flopped set. No doubt that was weighing heavily on his mind at this point. Furthermore, he had about $700 in front of him, and he correctly understood that if he called now, my red "All-In" disc was hitting the felt on the river.

Finally, with a pained expression on his face, he showed me A❤️6♠️ (the sort of schlock in which he was routinely trading), and folded.

I was inexcusably pleased with this result – it's not my M.O. to win 35 BB pots with jack-high and the zeroest of equity.

Fast forward a couple of hours, and it was time to wrap it wrap it up, head home, and put on my going-out clothes. Thanks to that bluff and some other hands resolving in my favor, I was up a few hundred dollars. Nothing to write home about, but far better than stuck an annoying couple of hundred. I had decided to play two more orbits and hit the cage.

Entitlement

It was halfway through the first of these orbits when there were two limps in front of me and, sitting in the hijack seat, I looked down to see Q♠️Q❤️ peeking back. Well now. I made it $50, and sure enough, four other people thought that $50 was a fair price to pay to see the flop (it was still a good game). That was fine – I certainly had the best hand going in. There'd be an ace on the flop, somebody would bet, I'd fold, and take all that EV I'd banked preflop into 2023 with me.

The dealer had some difficulty getting the flop spread out, but I was in no hurry, because the Q♦️️ was already smiling back at me from the door. Even before the joy had fully diffused through me, the 9♠️ and 9❤️ appeared next to her. Happy New Year, me.

They all checked, and I bet $70. For those of you shrieking that I had the board locked up and I should have checked back, don't be silly. I was $1700 deep at this point, and a couple of my opponents had me covered – I was on a hunt for the elusive wild nueve. I had no interest in extracting $50 or $100 from a pair of 4's or an ill-considered bluff – I wanted somebody's stack.

Thus I was disappointed when they all snap-folded.

I tipped the dealer, and reflected on my bad luck.

Poker = Life

But then I came to my senses. I'd gotten unstuck in the first place because my opponents had paid $70 each with a bunch of near-random cards. They had absolutely nothing with which to stand up to my jack-high zero-equity bluff on the turn. Why in the world should I expect them to have decent value to pay me off when I flopped the Holy City Zoo?

Poker teaches many life lessons, and I'd just been given a important one. That is, I was no more entitled to win a monster pot with my queens-full than I was prohibited from winning a biggish pot with jack-high.

I reflected on this timely reminder as my session, and poker year, wound down. I slipped $5 chips into the hands of some employees as I left, always conscious that life has treated me well throughout, whether I deserved it or not. I was headed back to a comfortable home and a walk down the block, where I'd be greeted with hugs and a glass of wine to celebrate the outgoing year.

Happy 2023. May you remember that neither life nor poker owes you anything, but equally importantly, may you recognize the opportunities that they both present, even in the least expected of places.

Time as an Indicator of Harm

We all have recreational activities that draw us in and demand a lot of our time and energy. For many, social media platforms like Facebook and Twitter can become addictive, with users often mindlessly scrolling for hours. Similarly, gambling, and specifically poker, can also draw people in for longer than they intend.

Poker is a game of skill, strategy, and nuance, but its addictive potential lies in the mechanical repetition and pacing of hands. Unlike other games, poker requires long sessions, sometimes stretching into hours or even days. A few hours of blackjack might feel like enough for most players, but an hour of poker barely scratches the surface—it’s just a few orbits, and the session continues.

Poker players can easily lose track of how much time they’ve spent at the table. While longer poker sessions are part of the game’s nature, it's important to ask yourself: Am I spending too much time playing poker? Is it interfering with my personal life and responsibilities? These are questions that can help maintain a healthy work-life balance and avoid gambling harm.

The Psychological Effects of Poker

One of the reasons poker can be particularly draining is the level of stress it involves. Poker is a complex psychological and mathematical puzzle with both short- and long-term implications, and the mental strain can be intense, especially in long sessions. The prolonged focus and strategy required in poker make it more mentally taxing than many other forms of gambling.

Stress from poker can manifest in various ways. Perhaps you’ve snapped at a dealer or become frustrated with a small mistake. Maybe you’ve thrown cards or punched your keyboard. These behaviors can be signs that stress is taking a toll on your decision-making and overall well-being. Poker players should monitor their emotional state, as stress can hinder good decisions at the table, leading to mistakes that affect their play and bankroll.

The Link Between Stress and Responsible Gambling

In my time as Head of Responsible Gambling at Kindred, I began to notice a pattern. Players who had frequent and aggressive interactions with customer support often turned out to have deeper gambling issues. These interactions were early warning signs of a bigger problem brewing. This was something I hadn’t realized before, but it became clear that stress was often a precursor to more significant gambling harm.

Poker players, in particular, deal with a unique level of stress because of the nature of the game. It's not just mentally demanding; long poker sessions are physically taxing as well. And because the stakes can be high, players may feel the pressure to perform, which only increases stress.

The Importance of Taking Breaks

Taking breaks is essential in maintaining both physical and mental health. Giving yourself time away from the table allows you to recharge, refocus, and approach the game with a fresh perspective. Whether it’s a hike, reading a book, or volunteering for a local cause, these activities help balance the intense focus that poker requires. You might find that stepping away from the game makes you a better player when you return.

Additionally, being mindful of how you spend your time outside of poker can help you recognize when poker is taking up too much of your life. It’s easy to get caught up in the game, but taking a step back to evaluate your time and emotional state is crucial for long-term well-being.

Conclusion: Time Awareness and Safer Gambling

At the end of the day, there’s always another poker game running, so it’s up to you to ensure you’re making conscious choices about how you spend your time. By monitoring your stress levels, taking breaks, and setting boundaries around poker, you’re not only playing smarter but also preserving your mental health and maintaining a balanced lifestyle.

So, the next time you're sitting at the table, take a moment to check the clock and reflect on how much time you’re dedicating to the game. It's not just about the money at stake; it's also about making sure poker remains a fun and enjoyable part of your life rather than becoming a source of harm.

Poker tournaments can be incredibly volatile, especially when you make it to a big final table. At that point, the stakes are high, and players are faced with a tough decision: should they go for the win or should they cut a deal to secure a more stable payout?

This decision is influenced by two opposing schools of thought in the poker world. On one side, some players believe that no matter what, you should always play for the win. On the other hand, some players argue that the variance in tournament poker is too high, and making a deal could be the best choice for protecting your bankroll.

The Argument for Playing to Win

Nathan "BlackRain" Williams, a poker coach, firmly advocates for going for the win. He tweeted, “Don’t accept a deal at the final table of a tournament unless you are literally playing for life-changing money. You’re the best player at the table right? Prove it by winning the tournament outright.”

This perspective comes from a belief that deals could give your opponents a psychological edge. By agreeing to a deal, you might be signaling to the others that you’re not confident about your chances of winning, potentially exposing a weakness. There’s also the notion that if you’re truly the best player at the table, you should trust your ability to win in a heads-up situation, where skill is a decisive factor.

Faraz Jaka’s View on Making Deals

Faraz Jaka, however, doesn’t share Williams' view. Jaka has a more pragmatic approach to final table deals. He believes that players should evaluate the situation based on their current bankroll and the stakes involved. For example, if you're heads-up for a $280k difference in prize money and the chips are even, ask yourself: "Would I be willing to play this person heads-up for $140k each, given my bankroll and this payday?"

Jaka’s approach shifts the focus from ego and pride to practical considerations. He emphasized that making a deal isn’t about signaling weakness, but rather about maximizing your profit in a situation where variance is unpredictable.

Jaka Reflects on His Evolution as a Player

In his conversation with Sarah Herring of PokerOrg, Jaka reflected on how his mindset has changed over the years. When he was younger and earlier in his career, he was staunchly opposed to chopping. "I was very proud of it and I definitely felt like it maybe gave me a psychological advantage over my opponents," Jaka admitted.

However, over time, he came to realize that nobody is keeping track of whether you chop or not. The chances of facing someone who specifically knows or cares about your chopping history are rare. Ultimately, Jaka recognized that there’s no need to base decisions on pride or psychological games.

The Bottom Line: Maximizing Bankroll and Minimizing Risk

For Jaka, making a deal is about protecting your bankroll and ensuring that you’re making the best financial decision in a high-variance game. "No one’s really keeping track of who chops and who doesn’t chop," Jaka said. The goal is to secure a fair outcome given the circumstances, rather than letting emotions or ego dictate your decision.

In the end, whether you agree with Williams or Jaka, the decision to chop or play for the win should depend on your individual circumstances, your bankroll, and your tolerance for risk. There’s no one-size-fits-all answer, but understanding the psychological and financial aspects of the decision can help guide you toward the best choice for each specific situation.

Poker is a game of skill, calculation, and strategy—but emotions can easily cloud a player's judgment. When players let their emotions take over, they often make reckless decisions that can cost them dearly. This phenomenon is known as tilt, a term borrowed from arcade games, where a frustrated player would physically tilt a pinball machine in an attempt to cheat the system.

In poker, tilt refers to the emotional distress that leads to poor decision-making. A player who is on tilt often behaves impulsively, making aggressive plays and taking unnecessary risks. It's a natural reaction to a bad beat or a significant loss, but it's also a dangerous one.

What is Tilt in Poker?

Tilt happens when a player loses control of their emotions, often after a frustrating hand or a series of unfortunate events. It manifests as an irrational playstyle—players may start playing more hands, pushing chips in aggressively, or chasing losses in ways that defy the strategy they've honed. This emotional rollercoaster can often end in the player losing all their chips and exiting the game in frustration.

It’s easy to spot someone on tilt; you can sense the heightened tension, and they often vent their frustrations as they leave the table. It’s a damaging state that can ruin a player’s chances at the table if not controlled.

The Importance of Emotional Control in Poker

Poker is as much about mindset as it is about cards. In fact, emotional control is just as critical to success as knowing the right math and strategy. Poor decisions born out of frustration can quickly diminish a player’s effectiveness, making it difficult to play at a high level.

Tilt is a hidden leak in a poker player’s game—it doesn’t show up in tracking software, and it's uncomfortable to acknowledge. No one likes to admit that they lost control emotionally, especially when money is involved. But failing to address this issue leaves players vulnerable. Experienced poker players can spot tilting opponents and exploit their weakened mental state, often using it against them to tilt them further.

Tips for Avoiding Tilt and Developing Self-Discipline at Poker

Developing emotional self-discipline is key to overcoming tilt and becoming a successful poker player. While the road to mastering your mindset may not be as direct as mastering poker theory, it’s equally essential.

Here are some tips to help avoid tilt:

1. Focus on Your Health: Maintaining good sleep, nutrition, and exercise routines outside the poker table will make it easier to stay calm and focused during sessions.

2. Self-Awareness: Be mindful of your emotional state. If you feel frustration building up, recognize it early and take steps to reset before making any major decisions.

3. Control Your Environment: Play within your bankroll limits, avoid overextending yourself, and set time limits to prevent fatigue from affecting your decision-making.

4. Avoid Focusing on Results: It’s easy to get caught up in short-term results, but poker is a game of variance. Remind yourself that losing hands or even sessions doesn’t reflect your overall skill. Stay focused on making the best decisions, and let the cards fall where they may.

5. Take Breaks: If you’re on the verge of tilt, step away from the table. Follow the arcade-inspired advice: Take a break and reset. Recharging your mind will help you return with a clearer head, ready to make better decisions.

🎧 Listen: Poker Podcasts That Aren’t About Toxic Feuds, Lies, or Cheating

If you’re burnt out on scandal-heavy headlines and crave poker content that dives into real hands, strategy, and human stories—minus the drama—these podcast episodes are for you. Whether you're a serious player or just love the game, here’s a roundup of recent episodes worth tuning into.

🎙️ The Breakdown Poker Podcast

Episode: “Maybe Fedor Had To Do This? Maybe??”
Hosts: Grant Denison & Jonathan Levy (The Poker Guys)

This episode opens with a clever ChatGPT-generated intro—a fun, if slightly awkward, hook that leads into a deep dive of a hand played between Fedor Holz and Nick Petrangelo in the $50K 8-Handed Triton tournament in Vietnam.

The Poker Guys do what they do best: breaking down every street of the hand with attention to context—stack sizes, tournament phase, and player tendencies. Their signature blend of thoughtful analysis and lighthearted banter makes this a solid listen. Want to jump straight to the hand? Skip to 17:45.

📱 Apple Podcasts | Spotify | Twitter

🎙️ Sessions by DGAF

Episode: “Part of the Journey”
Host: DGAF

A staple in the L.A. and Vegas live scenes since 2007, DGAF is known for his commentary on Hustler Casino Live’s Max Pain Monday. In Sessions, he takes a raw and honest approach—reviewing hands from his own games, mixing in stream audio, and offering personal reflections on the ups and downs of poker life.

More than just strategy, this podcast dives into the emotional experience of being a poker grinder. It’s unfiltered, sometimes painful, often relatable. The episode is free to sample, and if you enjoy it, a full archive is available on Patreon.

📱 Apple Podcasts | Patreon | Twitter

🎙️ Thinking Poker Podcast

Episodes 398 & 399 – Justin Arnwine
Hosts: Andrew Brokos & Carlos Welch

Longtime poker pros Andrew Brokos and Carlos Welch team up for a two-part interview with Justin Arnwine, a rising star known for his bold style—both in gameplay and wardrobe (Hello Kitty fits included).

In Episode 398, Arnwine shares his path from Yu-Gi-Oh! to poker, early days of nitty play, and how his upbringing—shaped by a civil rights attorney mother—influenced his worldview.

Episode 399 shifts to a deeper discussion of racial representation in poker, media bias, and growing the game for underrepresented players. It’s a rare, important conversation between two Black men in a predominantly white industry.

Don’t skip Episode 397 either, featuring Arnwine’s wife, Caitlyn Cobb, whose own poker journey and love story with Justin adds a personal and heartfelt dimension.

📱 Apple Podcasts | Spotify | Twitter | Thinking Poker

🎙️ The Chip Race Poker Podcast

Episode: Season 19, Episode 6
Hosts: David Lappin & Dara O’Kearney

A fan favorite (and Global Poker Award winner), The Chip Race continues its strong run. This episode features:

• Revisiting a Jason Koon interview with fresh insights on exploiting certain player types

• A spotlight interview with Loriann Persinger, who cashed big at the WPT World Championship after winning a Twitter giveaway

• Barry Carter’s comedic news roundup, covering Triton Vietnam, PLO series, and his Dan Bilzerian takes

• Strategy breakdowns, including Dara O’Kearney vs. his former student Stephen Kehoe

• A fascinating GTO vs. “white magic” debate with Irish legend Andy Black

It’s a full house of poker content and personality.

📱 Apple Podcasts | SoundCloud | Twitter

🎙️ Winning the Game of Life

Episode: “Paving the Way for Women at the Poker Table Like a Bad-Ass”
Host: Dan “Jungleman” Cates
Guest: Ebony Kenney

One of poker’s most colorful characters, Dan Cates brings a refreshingly casual vibe to his YouTube podcast. In this hidden gem of an episode, Cates chats with ACR pro Ebony Kenney about everything from being the first woman at a Triton final table to fashion flair at the felt.

They discuss the stigmas women face, breaking barriers, and the emotional journey of competing at the highest levels. Bonus: The interview is timestamped for easy topic jumping, and there’s even talk of a possible “spice-off” outfit battle at WSOP.

📺 YouTube | Twitter

💬 Suggestions Welcome

The podcast world is a crowded one, and it’s impossible to catch every episode. If you’ve listened to something compelling—strategy-heavy, story-driven, or just plain fun—drop a line to PokerOrg. Let’s grow this list of quality content together.

🎲 1. Lee Jones: A Respectful Poker Player

Key Takeaways:

• The Lodge’s $1/3 game is no “beginner’s table” — it’s a tough battleground.

• A textbook cooler: flopped set vs. nut flush, but the board bails out the set.

• Jeremy Moore, the villain (in the hand), comes across as sharp, introspective, and respectful — even while losing two buy-ins.

• Lee highlights poker’s unwritten code of conduct — be gracious in victory, and respect your opponents’ skill.

Why it's powerful: This story shows poker not just as a game of math and psychology, but one with deep social dynamics — of mutual respect, silent tells, and shared experience.

💪 2. Healthy Living, Healthy Bankroll

Key Takeaways:

• The poker lifestyle can be brutal: late nights, poor food choices, no exercise, erratic schedules.

• Mental and physical health are intertwined — things like cortisol, focus, and energy all affect your decisions at the table.

• Counting calories and integrating sustainable habits are better than short-term crash plans (like weight-loss prop bets).

• Fitness coach TJ Jurkiewicz underlines the need for lasting change, not just short-term bets for money.

Why it’s impactful: It calls attention to the unglamorous side of poker — and offers a practical blueprint for players to be more than just “grinders” at the table.

🎯 Potential next steps or content ideas:

• Blog or podcast series: "The Real Life of a Poker Pro" — mix hand analysis, lifestyle tips, and interviews with players like Jeremy Moore or TJ.

• YouTube Short/Reel: Clip from Lee’s hand story titled “When You KNOW He Has a Set, But Still Call With the Nuts”

• Fitness Challenge Content: Document a player taking on the sustainable change route (calorie counting, daily steps, etc.) over X months — a better counterpoint to sensationalized prop bets.

🎯 Game Context Matters

You immediately set the stage by explaining how the Lodge’s $1/3 isn’t your typical soft entry-level game. That context completely reframes how we read the rest of the hand — it's not a nitty showdown between randoms, but a high-level chess match between experienced players. That also adds weight to Jeremy’s lines and decisions.

🔥 The Flop: Explosive and Dangerous

Flopping a set is always beautiful, but on an all-club board? It’s like being handed a birthday cake that’s already on fire. The sizing wars (your raise to $70, his re-raise to $210) show how both of you know this is going to be a big pot — and you’re both okay with it.

🧠 Turn Decision: Pure Calculus

The 3♦️ is just a dream card. Your turn call is solid — there's no need to get fancy. It’s quietly confident, and it sets up the river perfectly.

🎭 The River: Maximum Value

Jeremy’s comment — “That's five-five almost always. But it would be disrespectful to fold. I call.” — is one of the most baller things I’ve read in a hand history. It’s not only a nod to your range being face-up but also to poker as a game between people, not just ranges and charts. That blend of intellect, feel, and etiquette is rare.

🤝 Respect Over Ego

Your reflection about giving him space, not pressing him for clarity, and believing his word about the nut flush — that’s poker maturity. And Jeremy taking a lap? Classic pro move.

🤔 Could He Fold?

Maybe, but probably not. Folding the nut flush on a paired board with no obvious full house combos in your perceived range would be god-tier. But his comment suggests that folding there would be an insult to you, implying your range is too narrow, too obvious — and good poker isn’t just about maximizing EV, it’s also about respecting the unknown.

He called because you earned that respect.

🧠 1. Have a Mission Statement

Before you even land, decide what your WSOP trip is about. Are you here to grind tournaments? Crush cash games? Mix in some nightlife and food spots? Define your intention, write it down, and let that mission shape your decisions.

Pro tip: If you’re here to play, act like a pro. Stick to a schedule, prioritize rest, and be ready when it’s go-time.

📅 2. Regulate Your Schedule

Vegas is a 24/7 playground, but your body and brain still need structure. Create a daily routine that includes sleep, study, food, and exercise. Don’t just wing it.

Ben’s Routine:
Wake by 10am → Eat & study → Get some exercise → Play in the evening → Cut off around 1-2am.

🎯 3. Game Select Ruthlessly

More poker tables are running than any other time of year, but not all games are created equal. Don’t stay in a bad game out of laziness or ego. Wander until you find the soft spots.

Hot tip: The WSOP cash area (Paris/Horseshoe) often has the best value games, especially when tournament players bust and jump in.

💵 4. Manage Your Bankroll

Set a daily budget and stick to it. Burn through your bankroll in two days, and you’ll either be stuck railing or tempted to play above your means.

Ben’s Rule: If you blow your daily budget, take a break. Vegas has plenty of non-poker things to do.

🥰 5. Enjoy the Moment

Seriously—don’t forget to stop and look around. You're in the middle of the biggest poker event on the planet. The energy, the legends walking past, the shared passion... it's all magical.

“You can be in a $2/5 game while Phil Ivey is 20 feet away. That doesn’t happen in any other sport.”

Bonus: Be a Good Human

Chat with players, take breaks to meet friends, and don’t be afraid to say hi to your favorite pros. You’ll remember those interactions longer than a random river bluff.

Ben Adler’s approach isn’t just about playing better—it’s about living better while playing. Whether you’re a Vegas regular or it’s your first WSOP, showing up with clarity, structure, and appreciation might just be your biggest edge.

It’s that time of year again. For months, poker players around the world have been planning their trips to Las Vegas, picking their favorite events at the World Series of Poker (WSOP) or other series running along the Strip.

There’s buzz. There’s hope. There’s adrenaline.

But beneath all the excitement, there’s also a truth many don’t talk about: most people who play WSOP events this summer will lose money. And that’s not a knock on their skill — it’s just math.

The Numbers Don’t Lie

With WSOP events paying out to just 10–15% of players, even top-tier professionals only expect to cash in about 20–25% of events. As a full-time pro, I’ll be entering over 50 tournaments this summer. And realistically, I’ll cash in 5–15 of those. If things go well, maybe two or three of those cashes will lead to deep runs — not necessarily final tables, but just the chance at one.

Those chances could mean a bracelet. Or they could mean multiple heartbreaking 10th-place finishes. That’s the tournament grind.

Stay Grounded

This is my 7th summer at the WSOP, and I’m more confident in my game than ever, especially after a deep run in the PSPC earlier this year. But I’m also very aware that confidence should never lead to unrealistic expectations.

Hope is not a strategy.

Don’t Burn Out

Over my 12 years as a pro, I’ve seen players spiral early in a series when things don’t go their way. They arrive in Vegas full of hope, dreaming of bracelets and six-figure scores. But a few bad beats, a couple bust-outs, and the narrative in their head crumbles.

That mental spiral is brutal. Confidence crashes. Players take forced days off — not to recharge, but to recover. I've been there. In 2019, I had such a rough start I had to leave Vegas entirely for a few days just to mentally reset before the Main Event.

Honestly? Most players would benefit from taking more breaks. But with so many juicy events happening daily, it’s tough to sit one out.

Gratitude Is +EV

So, how do you stay balanced in the middle of this madness?

For me, it comes down to gratitude.

I'm a kid from a small town in England. When I started in poker, the idea of playing the WSOP felt like a distant dream. If you'd asked me a decade ago where I wanted to be in 2023, I would've said “in Vegas, playing the WSOP” — and I wouldn’t have cared about final tables or bad beats.

Many recreational players show up with that same grateful mindset. But I see too many pros who’ve lost touch with it. They're so focused on ROI that they forget to enjoy the ride.

Gratitude keeps you grounded. And above all, grateful players make better decisions.

Matt Hunt is a professional poker player and an instructor with Solve For Why. He writes regularly for PokerOrg on bankroll management, variance, and the mental side of poker.

PokerOrg’s Bankroll section is brought to you in partnership with MuchBetter, the award-winning e-wallet that helps players move money easily, securely, and globally.

The "Gladiators of Poker" event is in full swing at the World Series of Poker at Horseshoe and Paris Las Vegas. With a $3 million guarantee and a modest $300 buy-in, players from all corners of the globe are flocking to take their shot at glory.

Day 1a alone saw 3,940 entrants, and with four total starting flights, this is shaping up to be one of the largest fields of the summer.

Before you step into the arena, take a page from the playbooks of seasoned pros who have faced – and conquered – the chaos of large-field tournaments. Their wisdom could be the edge you need.

💡 Tips From the Pros Who Know

Faraz Jaka

Over $7 million in live tournament cashes | Founder of Jakacoaching.com

📌 Tip #1: Adapt to your table

“You’ll see a lot of weak players. If you're at a tough table, tighten up and play conservatively. Tables break quickly, and before long, you’ll likely be seated with softer opponents.”

📌 Tip #2: Don’t overvalue early tournament life

“Avoiding busting early is outdated. You need to take risks to build a stack. Don’t shy away from flips or tough spots if they’re +EV.”

📌 Tip #3: Manage your emotions

“In these marathon events, you’ll ride the rollercoaster. I’ve been short-stacked in every tournament I’ve ever won. Stay steady, no matter your stack size.”

Ashley Frank aka “PokerFaceAsh”

Popular poker vlogger | WSOP Circuit Ring Winner

📌 Tip #1: Narrow your focus

“Don’t get overwhelmed by the crowd. Your only concern is the 8 players at your table. That’s your battlefield.”

📌 Tip #2: Stay present

“One double-up doesn’t win the tournament. It’s about consistent, smart decision-making—one hand at a time.”

📌 Tip #3: Control variance early

“Be aggressive when you spot weakness. Build a stack before the shove-fest begins. It helps offset late-stage variance.”

Another new WSOP event made its debut yesterday. The first-ever Badugi tournament kicked off at the World Series of Poker at Horseshoe and Paris Las Vegas.

There were questions about the level of interest in a tournament dedicated solely to the variant. Those questions were laid to rest yesterday.

Apparently, all you need is a game that's "super bumpin'",* and players will show up in droves. A total of 516 players showed up in support of the $1,500 buy-in event, more than most mixed games at a similar price point.

How to Badugi – It's a lowball game

Unlike No-Limit Hold'em, the "worst" hand wins in Badugi. You want to make the lowest four-card hand possible to win the pot. An ace counts as a low card, so Ace-2-3-4 is the best possible hand. However, suits are what make the game interesting.

All about the suits and pairs

While going for the lowest four, unpaired cards, you also have to be aware of the suits you hold. Only one card of each suit can count towards your final hand. So, if you have A♠2♦️3♣4♠, you only have a "three-card hand," because the second spade isn't going to count towards your final hand.

It's a triple-draw game

You get dealt four cards at the start of the hand. There's a button, a small blind, and a big blind; and the action starts left of the big blind. After an initial round of betting, all players in the hand can discard as many cards as they like and draw new ones to replace them. This process repeats three times before a final round of betting.

It's a limit game

Unlike No-Limit Hold'em, Badugi is a limit game. You can only bet and raise specific amounts based on the stakes of the game. Limit games don't have as crazy of swings as no-limit games, but hand selection becomes increasingly important. Because you're often getting great pot odds, it's easy to get committed to the pots you play. Learn to not get committed with bad hands.

Hand rankings

1. Four-card hand (aka a Badugi)

A hand consisting of four unpaired cards of four different suits. Examples: A♠2♦️3♣4❤️, 3♦️8♠J♣K❤️

2. Three-card hand

Three unpaired and unsuited cards, the fourth card is either a pair or matches the suits of one of the other cards. Examples: 2♠5♦️7♣8♣, A♠6♦️8♣8❤️

3. Two-card hand

Two unpaired and unsuited cards, the other two cards are either a pair or match the suits of one of the other cards. Examples: 2♠3♠4♦️5♦️, A♠A♦️6♣6❤️

4. One-card hand

The worst hand possible. Four cards, all of the same suit. Don't play this, and you should never end up with anything like this when you're putting money in the middle. Example: 2♠5♠6♠7♠

So, if Player A has the worst Badugi possible, which is 10♠J♦️Q♣K❤️, that beats the best possible three-card hand, such as A♠2♦️3♣4♣.

Breaking ties

So, what if two players both have a Badugi? Whoever has the lowest hand within that hand ranking wins. And remember, with low games you always count down from the highest card to find the winner.

For example, if Player A has 2♠4♦️7♣8❤️ and Player B has 2❤️3♣7♦️8♠, they both have an eight-high Badugi. So, to find a winner, you go to their second-highest card. Here, they both have a seven. Ok, then to the third-highest card. Now, we see Player B has the lower of the two with their 3♣, so they win the hand.

Why play mixed games?

Mixed games offer a variety that the two-card counterparts just can't. Players are often more talkative and interactive, creating a fun environment at the tables.

Additionally, if you're looking for value as a poker player, mixed games attract a wide variety of skill levels. Get good at mixed games, and you can find very lucrative games against players who aren't as proficient as you are.

Badugi has always been a part of the WSOP "Dealer's Choice" events. Now, it's on the schedule as its own event as of this year. Based on the turnout, I'd be surprised if it wasn't back next year as well.

Learn the game now, and it may lead to a future WSOP bracelet as mixed games see continual growth within the poker community.

From the moment Alex Fitzgerald graduated high school, he dove headfirst into the world of poker, driven by his passion for the game and the allure of a lifestyle far removed from the typical 9-to-5 grind.

“I love poker more than you'll ever know,” Fitzgerald confessed. “I love that I study, teach, and write about it daily. I put out daily strategy content through my newsletter to thousands of players. It's a fun job. It allows me to improve at a game I've dedicated my life to.”

Over the past 17 years, Fitzgerald has carved out a respected reputation in the poker world. He’s captured multiple online titles, reached WPT and EPT final tables, and amassed over $3.5 million in live and online earnings. Alongside playing, he’s authored three best-selling poker books published by D&B Poker, now available on Amazon.

Despite his impressive resume, Fitzgerald’s passion has evolved beyond the felt—into coaching. He’s become a go-to mentor for low- to mid-stakes players through strategy blogs, training videos, and personalized coaching.

“For over a decade, I’ve been coaching players privately,” Fitzgerald said. “I’d be surprised if anyone on the planet has done as many private lessons as I have. I’ve helped hundreds of players beat their local $1/$3 and $2/$5 cash games, as well as dominate local tournaments and softer online networks.”

In a recent conversation with PokerOrg’s Craig Tapscott, Fitzgerald shared insights on the current online poker landscape, how to thrive in WSOP online bracelet events, and what it takes to stay competitive today.

Navigating WSOP Online Events

Craig Tapscott: It’s WSOP season. What’s your advice for handling the emotional swings in large-field online bracelet events?

Alex Fitzgerald: Take it one hand at a time. You’re only up against eight other players at a table—don’t overextend yourself trying to win the tournament early. Conserve your energy. Stay present. Focus on playing big pots in position with strong hands.

You’re going to lose pots and take bad beats—it’s inevitable. Accept the variance, prepare for those tough hands, and they won’t shake you as much.

Strategy Adjustments Near the Final Table

CT: As the final table approaches, how do you adjust?

AF: Pay attention to who’s playing to survive versus those going for the win. Look for players who suddenly tighten up or take too long to fold—they’re often the ones afraid to bust.

Target those players. Pressure them. They’ll often fold marginal hands late in the tournament because they’re emotionally invested in reaching the final table.

Beating Multi-Table Satellites

CT: Any tips for playing multi-table satellites to enter the WSOP Main Event?

AF: Here's my go-to method:

1. Calculate the total chips in play by multiplying the starting stack by the number of players.

2. Divide that total by the number of Main Event entries available—this gives you the average stack needed to win a seat.

3. Aim for about 70–80% of that number.

Early on, recreational players will gamble. Get involved, play more pots with them, and maximize value. When near the bubble, don’t risk your stack—apply pressure instead of calling off.

Adapting to Today’s Online Game

CT: Is it harder to gain an edge online these days?

AF: Definitely. With so much strategy content available, you need to game-select wisely and actively study your opponents. Take notes. Use stats when possible.

How Has the Game Evolved?

AF: There are more competent players now, but many are still emotionally volatile. Recreational players, especially on softer networks, often refuse to fold—even when logic suggests they should. This allows for larger value bets when you know a draw missed.

But overall, players are playing closer to GTO. They sometimes misuse the concepts, so your goal is to spot when they over-apply and punish those mistakes.

Winning at Micro Stakes

CT: What's the key to beating micro stakes today?

AF: You can still play a highly exploitative style. Most opponents at this level are focused only on their own cards. You'll get away with a lot.

It’s essential to recognize your opponents: Are they a nit, station, or maniac? That simple framework can guide your strategy. For example:

• Nits beat stations.

• Stations beat maniacs.

• Maniacs beat nits.

Know who you're up against and adjust accordingly.

Typical Opponents at Lower Stakes

CT: Who are the common types of players you face at micro stakes?

AF: Most are stations. You can profit by sticking to a solid value-betting approach. The tricky part comes when maniacs enter the picture—you’ll need to widen your ranges and prepare for high-variance play.

Multi-tabling is where you make your real money at these levels, so know your ranges and default plays cold before you sit down.

Moving to Mid-Stakes

CT: How do you classify players at mid-stakes?

AF: Players at this level still show tendencies—some are nits, some are maniacs—but they’re more adaptive. You need to observe their patterns and look for specific situations where they overcommit.

Take detailed notes, review showdowns, and reverse-engineer how they think. Mid-stakes players are less predictable than those at micro stakes, so exploiting them takes more effort.

And remember: weak players at mid-stakes get busted fast. If you find one, play as many pots with them as possible. That’s your window of opportunity.

What You Can Learn from High-Stakes Games

CT: What lessons can low-stakes players learn from watching nosebleed games?

AF: Watch how the pros shift gears against recreational players. They’ll play a completely different style when one shows up at the table.

That’s a crucial skill—identifying and adjusting to your opponent. One thing that helped me early on was seeing how thinly pros value bet against weaker players. It taught me to go for more value than I thought possible.

What's Next for Fitzgerald?

CT: What’s your current focus in the poker coaching world?

AF: I’m streamlining things now. For years, I focused on private coaching and creating training packs. That was all word-of-mouth.

Now, I’m building out a new website where all of my articles and free strategy videos will live. For the first time in my career, I’m also launching a social media presence.

Players can subscribe to my newsletter at www.pokerheadrush.com, where I send out free daily strategy blogs.

✅ Strengths:

• Clear structure: The article has a natural flow — from defining what a poker face is, to examples, tips, limitations, and summary.

• Good use of examples: Mentioning legends like Phil Ivey and Stephen Chidwick adds credibility and familiarity for readers.

• Tone and voice: Accessible and conversational, with a nice balance between informative and engaging.

🔧 Suggestions for improvement:

1. Title Enhancement:

The current title is fine, but you might consider making it more clickable or curiosity-piquing. For example:

• “Poker Face Power: Why Your Expression Might Be Costing You Chips”

• “Mastering the Poker Face: Psychology, Strategy, and Tells Explained”

2. Add More Practical Tips:

You provide great general advice, but it could benefit from 2–3 practical drills players can use to improve their poker face. For example:

• Practice holding a neutral expression in front of a mirror for 60 seconds.

• Record yourself reacting to different hands and analyze expressions.

• Try online games with webcam feedback to simulate live situations.

3. Improve the Flow in “The Role of Emotion” Section:

That section could be tighter. You may combine some shorter sentences and reduce repetition slightly. For example:

Before:

“There is nothing worse than going on tilt. Being tilted by an opponent hitting that two-outer is one of the fastest ways to lose more money during a session.”

Suggested:

“Going on tilt after an opponent spikes a two-outer is one of the fastest ways to burn your stack.”

4. Add Subheadings to Break Up Text:

Consider using subheadings to improve readability and scannability. For example:

• The Psychology Behind the Poker Face

• Reading vs. Being Read

• Eye Movement and Table Behavior

• Avoiding “Tunnel Vision” on Yourself

5. Final CTA Improvement:

The closing paragraph invites interaction, which is great! You might make it a little punchier and direct:

Want to strengthen your live poker presence? Share your toughest moments trying to keep a poker face — or tell us about the time you cracked someone else’s! Then check out our in-depth guides on bankroll management and reading opponents.

The bubble is one of the most intense and emotionally charged moments in a poker tournament. It's the point at which the remaining players are on the verge of cashing in, but the last player to be eliminated before the bubble bursts goes home empty-handed. Everyone wants to avoid being the “bubble boy” or “bubble girl,” and learning how to navigate this phase is key to maximizing your chances of success in any poker tournament.

What is the Bubble in Poker?

The bubble refers to the final stage in a poker tournament where players are just one elimination away from reaching the money. Once the bubble bursts, all remaining players are guaranteed a cash prize. The tension during the bubble phase is palpable as players are eager to make it past this hurdle to secure their winnings. This creates a unique dynamic that can dramatically affect player behavior, both for those who are still in the game and those just on the cusp of cashing.

Why Does Tournament Strategy Change as the Bubble Approaches?

As the bubble approaches, the dynamics of the tournament change significantly. For many players, just reaching the money is seen as an accomplishment. This can make the bubble phase particularly emotional. The risk of falling short after investing hours of play can lead to drastic changes in strategy.

Many players, especially amateurs, tend to tighten up significantly during the bubble. The fear of missing out on cashing can make them overly cautious, leading to a conservative approach where they only play premium hands. This can backfire if their chip stack is already low, as they might not be able to survive the blinds and antes for long without making a move.

How Do Professional Players Tackle the Bubble?

Experienced poker players often see the bubble as an opportunity to capitalize on the mistakes of more conservative players. They may use their chip stack to apply pressure and force tighter players into uncomfortable positions.

By identifying when players are overly cautious, seasoned players will raise more often, bluff, and look for spots to steal blinds and antes. A solid understanding of the players at your table during the bubble can give you a significant advantage.

What Happens After the Bubble Bursts?

Once the bubble bursts, there’s often a flurry of action. Players who have been clinging to life with short stacks are now in "nothing to lose" mode and will often go all-in in an attempt to double up. These players will push with weaker hands, knowing they need to accumulate chips to stay in the game.

For players with larger stacks, the pressure is off, and they can play their usual game. They still have the capital to take calculated risks and are more likely to withstand bad beats than the short stacks.

Pointers to Improve Your Tournament Play on the Bubble

1. Take Advantage of Tight Players: If you notice players tightening up, don’t be afraid to apply pressure. Push them into difficult decisions by raising more frequently, especially if you’re in position.

2. Be Prepared to Lay Down Hands: Not every hand is worth playing, especially in the bubble phase. Don’t feel compelled to speculate or take unnecessary risks. Sometimes it’s better to fold and live to fight another hand.

3. Big Stack Strategy: If you have a big stack, use it to your advantage. Raise frequently to steal the blinds and antes. However, be cautious about calling bets from tight players—those who bet on the bubble are likely to have strong hands.

4. Stay Aware of the Tournament Clock: Keep an eye on the blind levels and antes. Timing your aggression can help you avoid being blinded out, especially if you’re on the short stack.

High-Profile Poker Stories from the Bubble

The bubble has been the backdrop for some dramatic moments in poker history:

• 2021 WSOP Main Event: The last player to be knocked out before the money received a £10,000 buy-in for the following year's WSOP Main Event as "bubble protection." Kevin Campbell lost his aces to Chris Alafogiannis’ A-9 suited, with a river flush eliminating him in 1,001st place.

• 2019 Triton Million: Igor Kurganov faced a heartbreaking bubble moment when he moved all-in with pocket tens, only to be eliminated by Bill Perkins’ pocket jacks. This marked one of the largest poker tournament bubbles ever, with a £2.7 million charity donation.

• 2019 PokerStars Players Championship: With many players having qualified for free, the minimum cash of £19,470+ was a major goal. The bubble lasted two-and-a-half hours, ending when Paul Leckey’s pocket kings were beaten by Tianle Wang’s aces in a dramatic final hand.

Dealer’s Choice poker tournaments have gained popularity, especially since the format was included as a bracelet event at the 2014 World Series of Poker (WSOP). Since then, these tournaments have attracted top-tier poker professionals, making them a favorite choice for experienced players looking for a challenge.

If you’re tired of playing the same old No Limit Hold'em, Dealer’s Choice might be the refreshing change you need. The key feature of this format is that the game variant can change from hand to hand. The player on the dealer button selects the format for each hand, and in some tournaments, the dealer may choose a format for an entire orbit (a round of hands) rather than just one.

How Dealer’s Choice Poker Works

In live Dealer’s Choice tournaments, players have a set amount of time to decide which format to play. If you’re playing online, however, if you take too long to decide, the software’s random number generator will pick a format for you.

How Many Poker Variants Can Be Chosen?

There are over 20 different poker formats available for selection in Dealer’s Choice. Here’s a breakdown of the major variants:

Hold’em Variants

• No Limit Hold’em: The most popular poker variant, particularly after the poker boom.

• Pot Limit Hold’em: The maximum bet is capped at the current size of the pot.

• Limit Hold’em: Raises are capped at two times the big blind.

Omaha Variants

• Pot Limit Omaha: Played like Pot Limit Hold’em but with four hole cards instead of two.

• Pot Limit Omaha Hi-Lo 8 or Better: Split-pot game for the highest and lowest hands.

• Limit Omaha: Fixed limits with capped raises.

• Limit Omaha Hi-Lo 8 or Better: Capped raises with a split-pot game.

Stud Variants

• Razz: A lowball game, one of the oldest versions of poker.

• Seven Card Stud: Make the best five-card hand from seven cards.

• Seven Card Stud Hi-Lo 8 or Better: Split-pot game with the highest and lowest hands.

• Seven Card Stud Hi-Lo (Regular): Similar to the above but with A-5 lowball rules.

Single Draw Variants

• No Limit 5 Card Draw: Players discard and replace cards to make the best hand.

• No Limit 2-7 Lowball Draw: The objective is to make the worst possible hand (2-7 lowball).

Triple Draw Variants

• 2-7 Lowball Triple Draw: Lowball poker with three drawing rounds.

• A-5 Lowball Triple Draw: Similar to 2-7 Triple Draw but with A-5 lowball hand rankings.

Other Variants

• Badugi: A popular Asian variant of draw poker.

• Badeucy: A mix of Badugi and 2-7 Triple Draw.

• Badacey: A split-pot game combining Badugi and A-5 low.

Best Strategy for Dealer’s Choice Poker

The key to excelling in Dealer’s Choice is adaptability. Monitor how your opponents play each variant and look for weaknesses. Just because someone chooses a particular format doesn’t mean they are the best at it. Exploit their weaknesses when the same game is chosen again.

Be especially mindful of your opponents’ proficiency in different games. For instance, younger players may not be as familiar with traditional Stud games like Razz, while older players may have more experience in those formats. Additionally, be cautious when drawing hands in games like 2-7 Triple Draw, as they tend to be more volatile. Stick to premium hands, especially in lowball games.

Pros and Cons of Playing Dealer’s Choice Poker

Pros

• Flexibility: When it's your turn as the dealer, you can choose a game you're most comfortable with, or a game where you feel you have a strategic edge.

• Observational Advantage: As you play through different formats, you can gauge which games your opponents struggle with and capitalize on their weaknesses.

Cons

• Requires Mastery: Dealer’s Choice isn’t suitable for players who are focused on mastering a single variant like No Limit Hold’em. To succeed, you need to be proficient in at least 20 different poker formats.

• Not for Beginners: This format is more suitable for experienced players. Beginners should focus on one variant first before venturing into Dealer’s Choice, as mastering multiple formats takes time.

Yes, using a poker cheat sheet is possible and common, especially for beginners. A cheat sheet serves as a quick reference to help players understand the key aspects of poker without needing to memorize everything. Here's an overview of what a poker cheat sheet can include and when it's appropriate to use one:

What’s on a Poker Cheat Sheet?

1. Poker Hand Rankings: A basic guide showing the strength of hands from a Royal Flush to High Card. This is essential for beginners to remember which hands are stronger than others.

2. Table Position Naming: A reminder of the different positions at the table (e.g., early, middle, and late positions) and how they affect the strategy you should use.

3. Starting Hands Guide: A cheat sheet that tells you which hands to play based on your position at the table, helping you avoid playing too many weak hands.

4. Short-Stack Push/Fold Chart: Especially useful for tournament play when your stack is low. This guide tells you which hands to push all-in with when you have a small number of big blinds left.

5. Pot Odds Guide: A chart showing the probability of hitting certain hands (like a flush or a set) based on the pot odds, helping you make better decisions on whether to call, raise, or fold.

Using a Cheat Sheet in Poker

• At the Tables: It’s generally acceptable to use a cheat sheet when you're not involved in a hand. Many beginners find these cheat sheets help keep them on track, and they are typically allowed at home games or informal settings.

• In Tournaments: For serious tournament play, such as the World Series of Poker (WSOP), using a cheat sheet during an active hand is usually prohibited. This was highlighted in 2016 when Jason McConnon was reprimanded for referencing a cheat sheet during a hand at the WSOP. Tournament rules often discourage using cheat sheets in the middle of a hand to maintain fairness and integrity.

Is It Similar to a Blackjack Strategy Card?

Yes, poker cheat sheets are similar to blackjack strategy cards. Both provide a quick reference to help players make better decisions based on statistical probabilities. However, poker is played against other players, not the house, so etiquette is important. While blackjack strategy cards are widely accepted, poker cheat sheets can be frowned upon during active play in some environments.

When Not to Use a Poker Cheat Sheet

• During a Hand: It is best to avoid using a cheat sheet while actively playing a hand, especially in live poker settings, as it may be seen as disrespectful to your opponents or even a form of cheating.

• At Live Tournaments: As mentioned earlier, most live poker events prohibit the use of cheat sheets during active play. It’s crucial to follow the rules set by the event organizers.

A coin flip in poker refers to a situation where two players are all-in, and the hands they have are statistically very close in strength, giving both players approximately a 50% chance of winning. This term is commonly used in tournament poker, where players often face these high-stakes decisions under pressure. While it's not an exact 50/50 every time, the probability for both hands is close enough to warrant the comparison.

Examples of Coin Flip Hands:

• AK vs. JJ: Ace-King is generally a slight underdog against pocket Jacks (about 46-47% to win vs 53-54%), making it a classic example of a coin flip.

• AQs vs. 99: Ace-Queen suited is generally the underdog to a pocket pair of nines (about 52.49% vs 47.51%).

• A10s vs. 33: This hand is one of the closest to a true 50/50 (49.99% vs. 50.01%).

• A10s vs. QJs: A true coin flip, where the hands are close to even, especially with both suited and the flop potentially altering the odds.

How to Play Coin Flip Situations Well:

1. Be the First to Shove: Moving all-in first gives you fold equity (the chance to win by forcing the opponent to fold). This puts pressure on your opponent to decide, and may allow you to win without a showdown.

2. Avoid Coin Flips with Dominated Hands: If your hand is likely to be dominated (e.g., facing pocket aces with pocket kings), avoid going all-in. Some hands, like small pocket pairs, are often a bad idea to shove with if you suspect you’re behind.

3. Avoid Unnecessary Coin Flips: You don’t have to engage in coin flips every time. It might be better to fold and wait for a stronger situation, especially if you're in a soft game or the blind levels are low.

Coin Flip in Tournament Strategy:

Coin flips are often a part of tournament poker because of the increasing blind levels. Players can find themselves forced to make high-risk decisions when their chip stack is getting low. In these cases, a coin flip might be necessary, but it should always be calculated. Knowing when to take the risk is part of the skill in tournament poker.

Variance in poker is a term used to describe the natural fluctuations in the outcomes of poker hands over time. Even the most skilled players experience ups and downs due to luck and the unpredictable nature of the game. Here's a breakdown of what variance is, its causes, and how it affects poker players.

What is Variance in Poker?

Variance refers to the difference between the expected results based on probability and the actual results a player experiences. It encompasses both the lucky streaks (upswings) and the unlucky stretches (downswings) that every player faces. Even if you’re playing your best poker, variance means that results may not always go in your favor in the short term.

For example, if you're holding pocket aces and go all-in against an opponent’s hand that has a 15% chance of winning, there's still a chance that your aces will lose due to the randomness of the community cards. This uncertainty is what poker players call variance.

In-Game Examples of Variance

1. Pocket Aces vs. Random Hand: If you’re all-in with pocket aces pre-flop, there's about an 85% chance you’ll win. However, there's a 15% chance you could lose. Variance means that even with the better hand, you might lose sometimes. You might also experience "run-good," winning several hands with pocket aces in a row, which is positive variance.

2. Pocket Kings vs. Pocket Aces: If you hold pocket kings and your opponent has pocket aces, your chances of winning are only around 18%. However, you could win one out of every five times you’re all-in with this hand. If you win more than your fair share, that's positive variance; if you lose more than expected, that's negative variance.

Causes of Variance in Poker

1. Unpredictable Deal: You have no control over the cards you’re dealt or the community cards that will be revealed. These random elements are key contributors to variance.

2. Game Selection: If you choose to play in tournaments with large fields, such as multi-table tournaments, your results will have higher variance due to the larger number of players and the longer duration of play. The more players involved, the more volatility you'll encounter, even with optimal strategy.

3. Luck vs. Skill: While poker is a skill-based game, there’s an undeniable element of luck. Variance measures the influence of this luck and randomness in poker outcomes.

How Tournament Pros Handle Variance

Professional poker players understand the role of variance and its influence on their results. To minimize the impact of variance, they balance their tournament schedules. They might play in both large, high-variance tournaments and smaller, more consistent ones. This helps even out the swings, allowing them to maintain a steady path toward profitability.

How Variance Affects Players

1. Upswings and Downswings: Variance is often felt as a swing between upswings and downswings. During an upswing, you might run hot and see your bankroll grow quickly. However, in a downswing, even your best plays might be met with bad luck, leading to losses.

2. Emotional Impact: Variance can be emotionally taxing, especially for beginners or players with limited bankrolls. Experiencing losses even when playing well can be discouraging. However, the key is to remain patient and trust in your skill over the long term.

3. Bankroll Management: Variance underscores the importance of sound bankroll management. You need to manage your funds in a way that allows you to weather the inevitable downswings without going broke. This might involve shifting to lower stakes during a downswing.

4. Business Mindset: Treating your poker career like a business can help you handle variance. Just as businesses have both profits and expenses, poker players experience wins and losses. Ensuring that your upswings outpace your downswings is the key to long-term success.

Variance in Poker FAQs

Q: What is variance in simple terms? Variance measures how much the outcomes of your poker sessions deviate from the expected results based on probability. The higher the variance, the more extreme the fluctuations in your results (both positive and negative).

Q: What does variance tell you? Variance reflects the extent to which luck influences your results. It shows the gap between your expected outcome (based on probabilities) and what you actually experience in your poker results.

Final Thoughts

Variance is an inescapable part of poker, and every player, no matter how skilled, will face it. The most important thing is to manage it—through bankroll management, emotional resilience, and strategic play. Understanding variance and accepting its presence helps poker players navigate the game more effectively, knowing that while results may fluctuate, skill and consistency will ultimately determine long-term success.

If you're new to online poker, you've likely been offered a chance to enter freerolls – free poker tournaments where you can win prizes without risking your own money. Though the idea sounds appealing, it's essential to understand the pros and cons of freerolls before you dive in.

How Do Freerolls Work?

Freeroll poker tournaments function just like regular poker tournaments, but with one major difference: they don’t require an entry fee. Players start with the same chip stack, and the blinds increase at predetermined intervals. Your objective is to outlast the competition and win a free prize. The prize structure varies from winner-takes-all to a final table payout, but the winnings generally fall short compared to real-money poker tournaments.

Types of Free Poker Tournaments

Online poker rooms offer various types of freerolls, each with different structures and goals:

• New Player Freerolls: Reserved for players who have just signed up at a poker room.

• Satellite Freerolls: Qualify for entry into larger tournaments, sometimes even prestigious events like the WSOP.

• Weekly Freerolls: Recurrent tournaments that offer smaller prizes but are held regularly.

• Seasonal Freerolls: Celebrating holidays or special events with themed tournaments.

• Rake Freerolls: Exclusive tournaments for players who generate substantial rake from cash games.

Pros of Free Poker Tournaments

1. Risk-Free Practice: Freerolls are an excellent opportunity to practice your skills without financial risk. You can experiment with strategies, hone your skills, and learn from mistakes.

2. Real Money Prizes: While the stakes are low, you can win actual cash or tournament tickets in freerolls. Some players have even built their bankroll from scratch using freeroll winnings.

3. Low-Level Competition: Most players in freerolls are beginners, which can provide a more relaxed learning environment. However, be wary of overestimating your skill against amateurs.

4. Great for Beginners: If you're new to poker, freerolls offer a way to ease into the game without fear of losing your own money.

Cons of Free Poker Tournaments

1. Long Hours for Small Prizes: Freerolls often take several hours to play, and the prizes are typically small, making them a time-consuming grind for little return.

2. Unrepresentative of Real Poker: Freerolls often feature random play, with many players treating it as a gamble rather than a strategic game. This environment can mislead you when trying to learn optimal poker strategy.

3. Experienced Players in Disguise: Some experienced players join freerolls to take advantage of inexperienced opponents, making it harder for you to navigate the tournament field.

4. Variance and Chaos: Freerolls can have high variance due to the loose-aggressive behavior of many players. While this may help you practice risk management, it doesn't reflect the more disciplined and calculated play you'll encounter in real-money poker games.

Final Thoughts

Freerolls are a great option if you're on a tight budget and want to practice poker without risking your own money. However, they aren't the best place to learn advanced poker strategies due to the chaotic nature of the games. If you're serious about progressing in poker, consider focusing on micro-stakes real-money games for a more realistic learning experience.

While freerolls can be fun and offer a risk-free opportunity to win, it's essential to balance your time between freerolls and real-money poker to improve your skills effectively.

In Texas Hold'em and many other poker variants, players typically make two forced bets before the cards are dealt: the small blind and the big blind. The small blind is usually half the value of the big blind, with the big blind representing one minimum bet. However, there's another type of blind bet called the straddle, which is made before any cards are dealt and usually doubles the size of the big blind, boosting the pot right from the start.

Straddling is primarily used in cash games and is not allowed in poker tournaments. It’s an optional bet, and while you could play poker for years without ever straddling, understanding its nuances can help you when facing opponents who like to make this bet. Here’s everything you need to know about straddling in poker.

The Most Popular Types of Straddle in Poker

Straddling is more commonly seen in live cash games than online play. There are three main types of straddle, each with its own rules:

1. The Under-the-Gun (UTG) Straddle

This is the most traditional form of straddling. The player sitting directly to the left of the big blind (under-the-gun) chooses to place a straddle bet that is twice the size of the big blind. After this, the pre-flop betting begins with the player to the left of the straddle, and the straddler becomes the final person to act before the flop.

While most poker rooms use the standard UTG straddle, the exact amount can vary. Some card rooms, like those in Las Vegas, may set a significantly higher straddle amount, even 25 times the small blind, to make the game more challenging for straddlers.

2. The Mississippi Straddle

This variant is more commonly seen in high-stakes games like No Limit Hold’em and Pot Limit Omaha. In a Mississippi straddle, the player sitting in the dealer button position has the first option to place a straddle bet of twice the big blind. If the button player declines, the opportunity moves to the next player on the right, and so on, until a player decides to straddle. If no one straddles, the game proceeds as usual.

The advantage of the Mississippi straddle is that it allows players to take the last position, both pre-flop and post-flop, which can give them a significant edge in the game.

3. The Button Straddle

Many people confuse this with the Mississippi straddle, but they’re different. The button straddle allows the player on the dealer button to place a straddle bet after the small blind and big blind have been posted. The betting action proceeds normally around the table until it reaches the button, where the player can act before the small blind.

Is Straddling in Poker a Good Idea?

In most situations, straddling tends to reduce your expected value (EV) over time. This is because you’re essentially betting without knowing the strength of your hand, which goes against the traditional poker strategy of playing only strong hands. This is especially true in No Limit Hold'em, where many hands are folded pre-flop, and increasing the pot with a straddle can make you lose more in the long run.

That being said, straddling can have its advantages in certain circumstances:

• In Deep-Stacked Cash Games: When you have a deep stack, the straddle represents a smaller portion of your chip stack, and it may not be as damaging.

• As a Strategic Tool: Straddling can help change your table image to a looser, more aggressive player, potentially forcing others to play more cautiously.

Pros and Cons of Straddling in Poker

Pros:

• Increased Pot Size: The straddle increases the pot before the cards are dealt, which can make the game more exciting and encourage players to take risks.

• Tight Player Loosening: If the table is filled with tight players, straddling can force them to play more marginal hands, creating more action.

• Better Positioning: By straddling, you effectively become the last player to act pre-flop, giving you additional information about your opponents’ hands.

• Social and Fun: In some poker rooms, straddling is just part of the fun, adding a new dynamic to the game.

Cons:

• Increased Risk: Straddling forces you to commit more chips to the pot, which increases the risk to your stack, especially if you’re up against more skilled players.

• Loss of Positional Advantage: After the flop, the straddler often has to act first, losing the post-flop positional advantage that’s typically crucial in poker.

• Encouraging Loose Play: Straddling can promote loose-aggressive behavior, leading to more unpredictable play at the table.