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Poker Betting Basics: All-In Wagers & Side Pots Rules

In our lesson on the three main betting variations of poker, we used an example where a player in a no-limit game could bet far more than anyone else at the table,...

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Table Stakes Meaning and Why Poker Uses Fixed Risk

Table stakes’ meaning in poker is simple: you can only risk the chips in front of you when the hand begins, and you can only win up to that same amount from...

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Ante Poker Strategy: How Forced Bets Change Play Formats

What is ante in poker? Ante poker adds forced money before the deal, increasing the starting pot and changing preflop incentives in tournaments and some cash formats. The key is identifying whether...

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Double Double Bonus Poker Strategy

My previous article on Jacks or Better video poker was so well received, I thought I would follow up with an article on what has become the most popular of the video...

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Small Ball Poker

Small ball poker has become an increasingly popular style of tournament play, thanks to its primary adherent, Daniel Negreanu. Although Negreanu did not invent it and certainly isn’t poker’s only small ball...

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Spin and Go Poker and the Math Behind Fast Wins Formats

Spin and go poker is a three-player hyper-turbo sit-and-go where the prize pool is randomly determined before the first hand, creating extreme variance driven by rare high multipliers. Understanding what spin and...

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Under the Gun Meaning and UTG Poker Decisions Explained

What does “UTG” mean in poker? Under the gun poker (UTG) describes the most exposed decision point in Texas Hold ’Em. The player who acts first before the flop must commit chips...

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The Cutoff Position in Poker: Strategy, Ranges and EV

What is the cutoff in poker? The cutoff position in poker sits immediately to the right of the button, giving players late-position leverage without full button exposure. In cutoff poker, wider opens,...

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The Levels of Thinking in Poker and How They Shape Winning Decisions

Most beginners focus almost entirely on their own cards. It quickly becomes obvious that a pair of Aces or Kings, and strong combos such as A-K or K-Q, are far better than...

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A Basic Sit and Go Poker Strategy

SNGs are poker tournaments which don’t have a pre-assigned start time and begin when all the available seats have been filled, hence the name ‘sit-n-go’. There are many different types of SNGs,...

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How to Play Stud/8 (Seven Card Stud High-Low)

Stud high-low split pot is a form of seven-card stud. It is often referred to as stud high-low, stud eight or better, or stud/8. The key difference between this game and straight...

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Fold Equity in Poker

Have you ever bet, hoping your opponent would fold? The percentage of the time they do is your “fold equity.” The idea isn’t new, but the name is. Fold equity comes from...

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Deep Stack Poker Strategy for Cash Games and Tournaments

Deep stack poker means playing with at least 100 big blinds behind, often 150 or more, so hands can play out across several streets instead of ending preflop. That extra room changes...

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Donk Bet in Poker: Strategy and Definition

Donk bet describes a lead from the out-of-position caller into the preflop raiser, a bet made before the aggressor has a chance to continuation bet. A standard donk sizing might be 30...

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SPR Poker: Stack to Pot Ratio, Explained

SPR poker work gives you a single number that links stack depth to pot size. Stack-to-pot ratio shows how many pot-sized bets fit in the effective stack and how committed you are...

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How to Play Aces

Pocket aces are without a doubt the best starting hand one can be dealt in the game of hold’em. Unfortunately, the odds of being dealt pocket Aces is 220-to-1, so it doesn’t...

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Push Fold Chart Strategy for Short Stack Decisions

A push-fold chart outlines mathematically sound all-in decisions for short stack tournament play, helping players maintain fold equity and avoid bleeding chips in shallow situations. These charts provide precise guidance rooted in...

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Cold Call in Poker – When to Use It

A cold call in poker is a direct call of a raise when you have not yet committed chips to the pot. Understanding what is a cold call in poker matters because...

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Texas Hold’em Strategy for Beginners: Starting Hands, Position, and More

Every hand of Texas Hold’em starts with one of the most important questions in poker: should I play this hand, or should I fold? That first decision shapes everything that follows, and...

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Poker Chip Stack Strategy for Tournaments and Cash Games

A poker chip stack dictates which hands you can profitably play, how often you shove versus raise, and how much fold equity your bets generate at every depth. A shove that’s standard...

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How to Play Poker: Your Complete Beginner’s Guide

Poker represents one of the world's most popular card games, combining skill, strategy, and psychological warfare in a battle for chips. While numerous poker variants exist, Texas Hold'em is the most popular,...

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Multi-Tabling Poker Strategy

Multi-tabling is a method of playing online poker in which you participate on multiple tables simultaneously. Many recreational US poker players choose to multi-table because it’s more fun, and if they are...

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Post-Flop Poker Strategy: How to Think Ahead on the Turn and River

Although most poker hands are decided after the flop, many players don’t really have a long-term plan for it. That kind of reactive approach limits how far a player can go. That’s...

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Bet Sizing in Poker – Tips & Mistakes to Avoid

Bet sizing defines the rhythm of No-Limit Hold’em. Many players obsess over hand selection but ignore how much to bet, even though the size of a wager often matters more than the...

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How to Master Ultimate Texas Hold’em Casino Poker

Played with a 52-card deck, Ultimate Texas Hold'em carries a house edge of about 2 percent when played optimally. Each hand balances risk and reward across multiple betting stages, while side bets...

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How to Play Pai Gow Poker and Build a Smart Strategy

The Pai Gow poker game attracts casino players who enjoy a slower, more strategic pace. You’re probably wondering, “What is Pai Gow poker?” Created in the 1980s by Sam Torosian of California’s...

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