Advanced & Complete Poker Guides

As players begin dipping into the world of GTO, one of the first concepts they come across is MDF. And while MDF and GTO certainly have some overlap in their frequencies, there are some simple ideas that need to be 100% understood. What Is MDF? MDF, short for minimum defense frequency, attempts […]

Live cash game poker is a totally different beast compared to playing online. Between the slower pace, the addition to physical tells, and the size of the games, live poker really is unique. As someone who has been playing poker for almost 20 years, including over a million hands online, I wanted […]

If you’re new to live poker, it might seem a little daunting at first. Whether you come from an online background or not, playing live poker in a casino or cardroom is a little bit different. So today, I want to walk you through the process in case this is your first […]

Live poker, and poker played in casinos and cardrooms, requires some strategic nuance to win more per hour. With some basic adjustments and a deeper understanding of the game flow, you’ll find both preflop and postflop much easier to play. This guide is going to break down some easy adjustments you can […]

Pocket Kings is one of the most powerful starting hands in No Limit Hold’em. KK is also known as ‘cowboys’, though, if luck isn’t on your side, you might find ‘Ace magnets’ a more fitting moniker. Even though KK is such a powerful starting hand, it can still create confusion for beginner-intermediate […]

The ability to identify and read poker ranges is one of the most important skills a player can have. Poker is a game of incomplete information, and we will almost never know exactly which two hole cards our opponent has. But with logical deduction and strong technical knowledge, we can build our […]

As poker matures and aggression increases, it’s very important that you are understanding 3-bet ranges correctly. Today’s players are using advanced 3 bets more often and applying lots of preflop pressure, so it’s imperative that we can handle their 3bets profitably. In this article, we are going to discuss how to analyze […]

Today I want to talk to you about studying poker in and share my study routine with you. This is especially useful if you don’t already have one, but if you do have a study routine, you can take bits and pieces of this process and improve your own. The thing that […]

Folding is the least sexy topic in poker. Folding is just so…final. Your cards hit the muck, you concede the pot to your opponent, and you’re off to the next hand. But the honest truth is that poker players fall into two main categories: There is a third type of player though. […]

Of the 6 major player types, TAG is the most important.  The average grinder employs a TAG poker strategy, and many players should learn a TAG style before doing anything else.  TAG is an abbreviation for “Tight Aggressive” and is in between a nit and a LAG.  In this guide, you will […]

When I started learning poker, the entire space was different. We didn’t have solvers or many great training materials, and most of the books out there were garbage. But times have changed, and there are plenty of resources available to help you improve your game. That said, it can still be overwhelming […]

Poker EV, short for expected value, is the most vital mathematical concept in poker.  When we say that something is +EV it means the play is expected to be profitable in the long run.  Whereas a play that is -EV is expected to lose us money in the long run.   The […]

Preflop play should be fairly simple, but most players struggle preflop because they lack a plan. So to make your life easier, I put together my preflop poker checklist that you can begin using in your next session. This preflop checklist contains just 6 things that will keep you focused on the […]

SPR, short for stack-to-pot-ratio, is a powerful concept that can help you take better lines both preflop and postflop. If you can understand and apply SPR strategy in poker you will have a mathematical framework for commitment. Here is the SPR formula: SPR = Effective Stack Size / Pot Size We simply […]

Odds in poker can be a bit…odd. So let’s break down pot odds, implied odds, and give you some free tools so you can quickly calculate these on your own. Or skip ahead to the calculator for you: Pot Odds Calculator (Facing Bets) Offering Pot Odds Calculator (Making Bets) Implied Odds Calculator […]

When I first entered poker back in 2004, the landscape was quite different than it is today. Back during the ‘Moneymaker Boom’ there were a couple of poker forums worth visiting, a few pieces of poker software, and a limited number of books that deserved a read. Now, the poker learning landscape […]

Pocket Tens are a huge source of frustration for poker players. It’s a complex starting hand that requires strategic decision-making both before and after the flop. Despite its challenges, pocket Tens remain one of the strongest starting hands that can be dealt. So let’s take some time to delve into the science […]

Do you know the two most important things needed to play poker?  Money and discipline.  Without discipline you are destined to lose all of your poker money…and without poker money, you won’t actually be able to play.  This is why BRM, or bankroll management, is so important. A good BRM strategy ensures […]

King Queen (KQ) hand is a relatively strong hand that creates tons of confusion. Today, we shall examine the science of playing King Queen, exploring its strengths and potential pitfalls and giving you some simple tips so you can play it effectively.

You know the thrill of getting pocket aces. However, shifting from preflop excitement to postflop uncertainty with AA can be a rollercoaster of emotions. Suddenly, the delight of a promising preflop situation can turn into a challenging postflop scenario, leaving you uncertain whether to hold on to your single pair or gracefully […]

In the poker world, there is a famous saying that goes, “There are three ways to play Pocket Jacks, and all of them are wrong.” Most players can relate to this sentiment about JJ since it is often considered one of the trickiest and most frustrating starting hands to play. What makes […]

Pocket Queens, or QQ, is often seen as the red-headed stepchild of premium pocket pairs. Most players are super excited when they’re dealt AA and KK, quite cautious with JJ and TT, but QQ sits smack dab in the middle. But when you know how pocket queens actually perform and have a […]

New poker players often make similar mistakes, but these leaks can be easily fixed once they are recognized.  So push play (or continue reading) and we’ll cover the 10 most common mistakes beginner players continue to make – and show you how to fix them if you are making any of these […]

Poker players either love or hate Ace Queen. But when you know how AQ actually hits boards, and can plan accordingly, this hand becomes easier to play. So push play and let’s discuss how Ace Queen really works, and give you some tips for playing the hand better. Welcome to another video […]

Poker combines skill and strategy with elements of probability, psychology, and game theory. To become a successful player, it is essential to have a solid understanding of the poker strategy math concepts that underpin the game. Poker math is a set of principles and techniques that use mathematical concepts to help you […]

In the game of chess, expert players spend a considerable amount of time studying the final stages of the game, known as the endgame. By understanding which endgame board positions are favorable, they can make decisions in the earlier stages of the game that slowly lead them toward a winning endgame position. […]

Yes, poker is gambling.  Though if that was the entire answer, this article would end here.  Instead, a better answer is “Yes, poker is gambling – but not in the way you might think.” Let’s dive into gambling, poker, common objections, addiction, and more. Push play, and/or continue reading to get started. […]

The most interesting poker is played when two players are deeply thinking about their opponent’s range, what they are likely to do, what they likely think the other player has, and how they can craft a play based upon that. This idea of “leveling” in poker gives strategy extra depth, and is […]

What does a perfect GTO bluffing strategy actually look like in today’s games? How often should you bluff according to the GTO solver? Let’s discuss how to correctly craft your bluff range in a given situation to create a winning betting strategy in all NLHE games. Even before the days of GTO […]

The concept of blockers in poker has been around for a while but, until recently, it’s one that has been far more stressed in Omaha games. Lately, however, we’re seeing the concept applied more in Texas Hold’em as well. While the value of blockers may not be as high in Hold’em as […]

The honest truth is that poker bluffs are simple with a small amount of math. But in saying that, I also realize that many players are scared of poker math.  It can look overwhelming at first, but with some basic knowledge, it becomes very easy to do.  And with a just little […]

Paired boards are an interesting board texture that all poker players need to understand. First, these textures are more common than you might think. Secondly, players tend to craft their strategies in very predictable ways on these boards. And third, knowing how to choose the best lines when the board pairs will […]

The first time I heard about “running it twice” was watching an episode of High Stakes Poker. Two players agreed to run multiple river cards and suddenly there were two rivers instead of one, pots getting chopped, and a bunch of excitement around the table. I didn’t understand it at the time, […]

In recent years, podcasts have become a hit, and you can find plenty of them in any niche. Poker is no exception, and there are regular podcasts that provide valuable content. Whether it is about strategy, news or anything else, you can learn a lot and have fun at the same time. […]

There are three main types of betting in poker: value betting, bluffing, and betting for protection. While bluffing is important and protection is a bi-product of understanding equity – knowing how to value bet in poker is an essential part of improving your winrate whether you play ABC poker or another style. […]

One of the bigger things I get when I coach students is the consideration of playing a LAG poker style. There are major differences between TAG and LAG players, but the common misconceptions and adjusts against a LAG style are what make it the most profitable style in today’s games. What Is […]

Over the years I’ve transitioned a lot of my reading time from traditional books over to audiobooks. The audio format makes digesting information easier, quicker, and gives a deeper learning experience. If you are looking for more high-quality advanced poker guides but can’t stand reading – poker audiobooks are a GREAT option […]

One of the most important intermediate skills a player can have is the ability use combos and blockers at the poker table. These technical skills require nothing more than a little counting (if you can handle 4+12, you’ll be fine!), but they can help you find so many extra bluffs and thinner […]

Poker is a game of math. The math can range from simple things like figuring out the size of the pot to very complex things like calculating the EV of multi-street plays. But poker is also a social/psychological game where tells, psychology, and dynamics come into play (especially in live & casino […]

With the holidays quickly approaching, it’s time to start thinking of what you should get for that poker player in your life. Don’t just get them a poker chip set, cheap folding table, or novelty shirt. That’s what they always get. These 10 amazing gifts are sure to be loved by any […]

How often do certain flop types occur? What if you hold two cards that block that kind of flop texture? Thanks to Flopzilla Pro’s new flop breakdown tool, you can answer questions like this with ease. To learn how to use this tool, push play and I’ll walk you through it.

Fishy tables are typically your most profitable kind of poker table. Lots of players who are making massive strategic mistakes allow you to play a simple strategy that allows them to beat themselves. And while you could implement a simple style that makes some money, there are some key areas that you […]

“Are old poker videos still relevant?” This was a question I received a while back, and to be honest, it’s a great one. I’ve been creating poker training videos for about a decade, and it’s totally valid to ask if videos posted in 2014 or 2018 are even worth watching at this […]

Implied odds are a term that most poker players are aware of, but very few truly know what they are. You will hear players cite implied odds as their reasoning for making questionable plays, but ask them what they are, and they slink back in their chair.  So let’s fully break down […]

A HUD is a very helpful tool that is unique to online poker that helps us visualize real-time data about our opponents. Poker is a game of information, and the more we have, the better we should be able to play. So setting up your poker HUD, using the best stats, and […]

Equilab is poker software that 90% of players are using to do in-depth equity calculations, explore ranges, and save hundreds of hours when studying their hands between sessions.  But complex software can be a bit confusing to use, so I made a quick video showing you how to start using Equilab. Whether […]

Bluffing is one of the most important skills a poker player can have. Anybody can wait around for a big hand and hope to get paid off – that takes almost zero skill. But knowing what goes into a great bluff and how best to execute a +EV play with weak cards […]

Small ball poker is a playstyle where your aim is to get involved in many cheap pots and keep those pots small – unless you hit a monster hand and then you build the pot as big and as quickly as possible. This was largely popularized by Daniel Negreanu, and to a […]

Your poker mindset and the way you process challenges during and between sessions is a major determinant of your longterm success. There are three kinds of poker players when it comes to the mental game. Essentially, they break down into these categories:

Range balancing in poker is the act of ensuring you have a proper number of bluffs and value hands when you bet or raise. If you never bluff, your range is unbalanced and your opponents can easily fold marginal hands whenever you get aggressive. On the other hand, if you bluff too […]

Small pocket pairs tend to create lots of confusion for players preflop. But because these pairs are…well…pairs – players rarely consider folding these hands preflop and end up stacking up lots of unnecessary losses. To simplify this and avoid getting lost in the minutia, let’s agree to put 22 to 55 in […]

Gutshots, also known as ‘inside straight draws’ are just one kind of draw you catch in poker. The typical definition of a gutshot is that you have 4 cards to improve your draw, which is only half of the number of outs you’d have with an open-ended straight draw (OESD). To visualize […]

Overlimping, or limping behind, is the act of choosing to limp AFTER one (or more) players have already limped preflop. Not to be confused with open-limping (being the first person to enter a pot preflop by limping in), overlimping can have some serious advantages when done properly. And while aggression in poker […]

Downswings in poker suck. Whether it’s a session of terrible luck, or months of bad beats & a dry run of cards – downswings can leave you questioning your strategy and sanity. But even though these stretches of bad luck can hurt us mentally and financially, there are some key things we […]

Many live poker rooms run a variety of promotions to get players into the casino and grinding long hours. While these promotions range from bad beat jackpots (BBJ) to high hand promotions to drawings and lucky seat promotions, they all have the same goal: keep butts in the chair and cards in […]

I use many tools when analyzing poker hands away from the table…but one of my favorite tools is the fold equity calculator.  This tool only requires a few simple inputs to give me information about how often my opponent needs to fold in order for me to run a bluff.  This is […]

You raise preflop and unexpectedly get multiple callers. Now you see a flop and totally miss. Should you c-bet the flop multi-way, even though you have a weak hand? Should you bluff on flops with multiple players? It certainly feels weak to keep check-folding Ace-high and weak pairs, but what goes into […]

Some poker hands are easy, and you know exactly what to do with them. But there are some hard poker hands that can make or break your winrate. To help you practice your poker skills, I created this 10 hand poker quiz that tests your ability to estimate what your opponents are playing AND what line you should take in some common preflop situations.

It’s little wonder that the biggest question players have regarding flop play with AK is “what to do when we miss?” As you already know, AK will have Ace-high a huge 67% of the time after the flop. Many of the difficulties with AK occur in 3-bet pots for the following 2 simple […]

The bubble stage of a tournament presents the greatest opportunity for chip accumulation. However, it also often leads to the most costly blunders in a tournament. Walking the bubble tight-rope can be tricky so let’s go through important points that will help you navigate through your next tournament bubble as profitably as […]

Everything has a cost – even things that are free. I want to talk about my favorite tool in the world. No, you didn’t accidentally stumble on my ‘SplitSuit Goes Camping’ blog where I discuss some awesome 94-in-1 flashlight. My favorite tool in the world is money. If you already view money […]

Every poker player has leaks. Some are more obvious than others – but we all have them. Yes, even Phil Ivey has leaks in his game. He just leaks in more refined ways than the fishy calling station at your local card room. A leak is an area in a poker players […]

You have been playing well for hours and finally make the final table of a tournament. This is an opportunity you do NOT want to squander – but your results at this point are governed by luck, preparation, and mental game. The truth is, if you don’t prepare correctly, you are left […]

Over the last year I have released three poker workbooks. These are first-of their kind workbooks that guide you through the hand reading/range building process and layout the kind of intense study that most players know they truly need. That being said, I get an endless amount of emails that go something […]

My goal, when I started creating these workbooks, was to help players like you develop your hand reading skill set through guided exercises. To help you work through the same repetitions that I did when I was growing as a player. To help you explore the spots that impact your win rate […]

You already know that studying poker is important if you truly wish to grow as a player and compete at a higher level. One of the most valuable resources when it comes to studying is not a new video course or a classic book – it’s actually your own poker hands. Reviewing […]

Preflop poker can be tricky. Make mistakes, take the wrong lines, or implement the wrong strategy and you set yourself up for a very -EV hand. This quiz challenges your preflop ability by taking you through 15 different hands to see what your exact play would be. After you take the quiz, […]

Welcome back. If you’ve been following me for a while, we just concluded a 4-part series going through hand 15 of the Live Poker Player’s Workbook. We went through a complete hand from $1/$2 live and broke it down street-by-street, action-by-action, and built down ranges every step of the way. If you […]

Hand reading is the lifeblood of poker. Good players are always working to assign correct ranges throughout a hand, and the best players can narrow their opponent’s range with great precision. If you are not already working to hand read better in your 6max games – you are leaving heaps of money […]

The average poker player goes through a very similar path of progression. They start as a fish who calls too often and folds too rarely. Then they get punished for that and eventually learn that they need to fold some of those junk hands. And then eventually they learn how to put […]

To help you improve your range building process I created this mini-series where we dissect a hand together – going street-by-street and action-by-action to assign precise ranges. This is the actual process I use when studying poker off-table and exactly how my brain processes information in real-time…and you will get stronger with […]

Truth be told, I’m a very visual person. I’m also a very mathematically-oriented person. So being able to visualize math-based things is crucial for me when trying to learn and use something. So when I began studying hand ranges and learning how to exploit various ranges, I created a simple model to […]

There are very few things in poker that are more fun than shoving. And if you are considering doing more 5bet bluff shoving preflop or semi-bluff jamming postflop, then understanding the math behind it is crucial. In this video I explain when and how to expand the math to make sure you […]