Value Betting in Poker
To start this lesson, let’s define what a value bet really is. A value bet isn’t just a small wager meant to tempt a call—it’s a bet designed to get the most...
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Psychology and Poker: Master the Mind Game Behind Every Hand
No serious poker player sits down without a strategy, but many underestimate the power of psychology. Reading opponents and managing your own mindset are just as vital as knowing the odds. Mastering...
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Poker Playing Styles
Poker is a game of observation. Therefore, the first step in understanding a player’s style is to watch how they approach the game carefully. Observation lies at the heart of poker success;...
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What’s the Difference Between Texas Hold ‘Em and Omaha Poker?
Texas hold ‘em is one of the greatest card games ever created — but you can only play so many hands before you’re ready to tear your hair out. Fortunately, poker is...
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Big Blind vs. Small Blind: What’s the Difference in Poker?
The big blind/small blind structure isn’t just a formality: it’s the engine that keeps the game alive. These two forced bets are what ensure there’s always something to fight for, and without...
The Levels of Thinking in Poker
Most beginning poker players consider their cards first. After all, it doesn’t take long to realize that starting with a big pocket pair such as Aces or Kings - or even big...
The Importance of Stack Sizes
In no-limit hold'em the size of your stack of chips and those of your opponents should have a significant impact on how you play a hand. If you’re playing in a $1-$2...
Poker and the Value of Position
Position refers to the order in which you act in a poker game. Your position in the betting order is critically important in Texas hold’em, and more important in no-limit than in...
Fold Equity
Have you ever put out a bet hoping that your opponent will fold? The percent of time that an opponent will fold to your bet is known as your “fold equity”. The...
Implied Odds and Poker
Even first-time players knows that poker is a game of odds, and while newbies might not be able to figure them, at least they realize that there’s a relationship between the chances...
Reverse Implied Odds
Implied odds are important when you’re the guy on a draw who’s hoping to run down an opponent with a hand that’s currently better than yours - but only right now, not...
Cash Games: Full Ring vs. 6-Max
The key difference between full ring and shorthanded cash games involves the number of poker players. Full ring is essentially a standard poker game where nine or ten players are seated. While some poker...
Poker Players and Table Image
To be a top level poker player, of any game, you must understand the concept of table image – yours and your opponent’s. Then you must learn how to exploit it. Let’s...
Proper Bet Sizing
Understanding how to correctly use bet sizes to influence and manipulate the action is what separates skilled poker players from absolute beginners. Without a doubt, improper bet sizing is a very common...