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Articles by Timothy Allin
Counting Down The Top 7 Worst Starting Hands in Poker
Almost everyone would agree that the best starting hand in Hold’em is pocket Aces. It’s guaranteed to have the most pot equity in any preflop situation. But what about the worst starting hand? Experienced Hold’em players would generally cite 27o as being the worst starting hand. As it turns out, though, it’s just not that simple. The Problem with Rankings Hands The problem with ranking hands is that there is no objective way to say which hand is better than another.
Really a Big No-No?
Most poker players are familiar with the notion that you should never limp. Preflop limping occurs when a player enters the pot for the price of the big blind – without raising. Many preflop limpers enter the pot from the SB when the action has been folded around. We call this play a SB complete. But preflop limping also happens from early positions. Players refer to this as an open-limp. In almost all poker circles, raising preflop is considered stronger than limping. The reason for this is simple.
How to Play & Deal with Lags
There is undoubtedly something very cool about tearing up a game of poker while bluffing lots and playing overly wide ranges. Players like Viktor Blom, Tom Dwan and Tony G have captured many an imagination with their seemingly fearless and relentless aggression. Is it possible for the average player to capture the essence of such an approach and use it to generate consistent profits at the poker tables?
An In Depth Explanation Guide
RFI stands for raise-first-in and occurs when the action is folded around to us preflop, and we raise. This move makes us the first player to enter the pot voluntarily. The following will be a guide to RFI strategies in No-Limit Hold’em. We will consider the following topics - What is RFI?
20 Advanced Poker Tips to Up Your Game to the Next Level
Have you been playing for a while but looking to find that extra edge? Here we will discuss our top tips for our more advanced players. You will have already taken many actions on this list you as an experienced player, but possibly not all of them. The ones you have missed so far could be your opportunity to find that missing edge. 20 Advanced Poker Tips Are: 1. Create/Improve Grinding Schedule Getting in volume is crucial for success.
Essential Guide to Exploitative Poker
This in-depth guide explains how to play exploitative poker. It should be of interest to any player looking to boost their win rate through understanding exploitative strategies. We will consider the following areas and you may feel free to read this guide in any order of your choosing. Table of Contents Chapter 1: Chapter 2: Exploitative poker vs GTO What is GTO? Chapter 5: Chapter 6: Getting Data for Exploits Chapter 7: Exploitative play online Using HUDs What is Exploitative Poker?
Late Position in Poker - Top 7 Tips for Playing It Right
It’s no big secret that late position earns the most money in poker. However, we can’t expect the chips to, automatically, flow to us, by virtue of our position. It’s necessary to understand which advantages are conferred and how best to capitalise on them. Here we discuss our top SEVEN tips for playing in late position. Click on any of these poker tips below and jump straight to the poker tip you want. Tip 1 - Look for Button Steals The entire game of poker revolves around the blinds.
What Is It & How to calculate It?
The term “standard deviation” appears from time to time in poker discussions. It often gets thrown around without any understanding of what the terminology means or whether it carries actual relevance. To help shed some light on the issue, we’ll discuss the following - 1. 2. . 3. maths. 4. . What is Standard Deviation in Poker? Quick Answer – Standard deviation in poker is a value expressed in bb/100 (i.e. a winrate) that helps us understand how “swingy” our poker game is.
Poker Odds Made EASY
Do you sometimes struggle with odds calculations in poker? In this guide, we’ll assume that readers already know how to perform basic odds calculations but are looking for ways to speed up and simplify the process. The faster we can figure out our odds, the more time we can spend on what matters - making the best decision. Sometimes players are so overwhelmed with the maths that they forget to think strategically about the situation they find themselves in.
What's a Good Winrate & How to Calculate?
Poker players like to measure their success at the tables through a metric known as winrate. So, what exactly is winrate in poker? How is it calculated? How essential is it? What is Winrate in Poker? Winrate in poker measures how fast a player wins. In cash games, it is measured in terms of the number of big blinds made per 100 hands (on average). In tournaments, the calculation of winrate is slightly different. It’s based on the average return a player makes on each buy-in invested.
Hand Combinations in Poker - Explained
Perhaps we have heard two poker players discussing “combinations” want to get a better idea of what they are referencing. In this guide, we’ll discuss combinations in poker and how they can be used to improve our strategic understanding of the game. What Is a Combination? Hand Combinations in Poker Calculating Combos in Hold’em Practice Questions with Combos Combinations in Mathematics What Are Combinations? There are two slightly different topics with the same name.
The Lojack - Basic Strategy Concepts
This guide is essential for our strategic outlook when playing in the LJ (lojack). We’ll select examples from NLHE cash games, but many of the concepts will translate into other formats such as tournaments or PLO. Put simply, players should not expect to generate a large amount of profit from this seat. The name of the game here is waiting from premium holdings and not getting out of line. The Lojack – An Overview Let’s recap on the key features of the LJ (lojack).
The Early Positions - Basic Strategy Concepts
This basic guide will layout our strategic outlook when playing in the early positions of a FR (full ring) table. We’ll select examples from NLHE cash games, but many of the concepts will translate into other formats such as tournaments or PLO. On a ten-handed table, the early positions are UTG, UTG+1 and UTG+2. For the sake of this discussion, we will also include the next position MP1 (although this is technically classed as middle position).
Poker Positions 101: Names, Seats and Characteristics
Not all seats at a poker table are equal – some are inherently more profitable than others. Each one has a unique name to help distinguish between different positions at the table. In this brief guide, we’ll discuss how the positions at a poker table are named. Each position at the poker table has its characteristics and should involve a different strategic outlook. Hence, the best play is never tied solely to our cards but must account for our position.
The Small Blind - Basic Strategy Concepts
This basic guide is essential for our strategic outlook when playing in the SB (small blind). We’ll select examples from NLHE cash games, but many of the concepts will translate into other formats such as tournaments or PLO. Let’s recap on the key features of the SB (small blind). We are forced to invest the small blind (usually 0.5bb) before seeing our hole cards. The BB (Big Blind) is still to act after us preflop, he may overcall or squeeze vs our cold calls.
The Big Blind - Basic Strategy Concepts
This basic guide will deliver our strategic outlook when playing in the BB (big blind). We’ll select examples from NLHE cash games, but many of the concepts will translate into other formats such as tournaments or PLO. Let’s quickly recap on key features of the big blind: We are forced to invest 1bb before seeing our hole cards. We “close the action” preflop (in most cases. See the box ‘closing the action’) We act last preflop, but typically first postflop (unless playing against the small blind).
The Importance of Positioning in Poker
It’s extremely common to hear poker players talk about the importance of ‘position’ in poker. What exactly is position, and why is it so important? It’s normal for new players to assume that poker is a game based entirely around the cards we hold. However, this assumption is not correct – the situation can often be more important than the cards. Strong hands can sometimes be problematic in the wrong scenario, while relatively weak holdings may end up being decently profitable.
Minimum Raise in Poker
Min-raises are a relatively common occurrence in poker. It’s useful to understand when min-raises might make sense and how to respond against them. Let’s start with a quick definition. Min-raise – A raise made with the minimum legal amount of chips In other words, there is a limit to how small we can raise in poker, and the smallest possible raise increment is known as the min-raise.
Full Ring Poker – Comprehensive Guide for Live and Online Play
Full ring poker is a term used to describe any poker table with more than six players. Most full ring tables have exactly nine or ten seats although some online networks have been known to offer full ring games with eight seats per table. This short guide will help us integrate into the world of full ring poker and, hopefully,even generate some profits.
7 Poker Tells You Need to Know
Body language, in the form of poker tells,is a great way to get information on an opponent’s strength/weakness. Find out how to use it to your benefit. It’s no secret that a big part of live poker is picking up our opponent's body language or "tells". In this context, a “tell” is an involuntary physical indicator that helps us to understand more about the cards our opponent may be holding.
The Strategy Behind The Chen Formula in Poker
The Chen Formula, named after Bill Chen, is a mathematical system for assigning a point score to various starting hands in Hold’em. The theory is that those point values can then be utilised to assist in making correct preflop decisions in No-Limit Hold’em. In the modern poker era, it’s rare to find a professional player that still makes use of Chen’s Formula; it’s mostly considered a relic of poker history. But, does the system have any merits? How does it even work?
Top 10 Rules for Poker Cash Games
There is no need to get overly anxious when jumping into a live cash game for the first time. Generally, players are friendly and will help us out if they see we are new. Having a good grasp of the rules will help us to play competitively, however, and we should at least be familiar with the points on this list before jumping into a game. Many of the problematic aspects of cash game rules are automated for us in an online environment.
Small Ball Poker - a Beginner's Guide
The term “Small Ball” was popularised by professional poker player Daniel Negreanu. What exactly does it mean? More importantly, can it be used to increase our earnings at the poker tables?
The Ultimate Guide
Raising in poker is art. Although it may seem like a very straightforward process, the size and timing of a raise are crucial in determining how successful it will be. In particular, when we bet is something that beginners have trouble with implementing. In this article, we will delve into a complete discussion on the topic of re-raising in poker. The following areas will be considered. Raise rules summary What is a limp re-raise? What is a back re-raise? Strategy: Standard raise sizings in poker.
Poker Bankroll Management - 5 Common Misconceptions
Proper bankroll management is a crucial component in the success of serious poker players. Ironically, it’s also a commonly misunderstood area of the game. Most of the top poker professionals understand that having a solid grasp of our poker bankroll is fundamental to winning in poker. We can’t hope to make it to the highest of levels if we don’t have the backing and skill to do so.
How to Read Hands the Right Way
Hand reading is often portrayed as a mystical skill that all the best poker players seem to possess. Possibly, psychic clairvoyance allowing them to peer into their opponent’s soul and deduce instantly the exact cards they are holding. Seems like a great skill to have, right? Unfortunately, such other-worldly abilities are the stuff of myths and legends. Great hand reading requires practice and skill.
Video Poker vs Table Poker - What’s the Difference?
Perhaps we’ve noticed the form of poker known as “video poker” in our online or local casino. We may have wondered how it differs from regular poker played against other players. For example, does being a good poker player increase our chances of making money at the video poker? How possible is it to play video poker profitably in the long run?
7 Ways of Using Poker Statistics
It’s often claimed that good poker strategy involves a mixture of game theory, probability, psychology and statistics. How exactly, though, do poker statistics formulate part of a strong player’s outlook? In this article, we’ll consider 7 ways in which applied statistics can be used in the world of poker. Let’s start by defining the term - poker statistics. What Are “Poker Statistics” Anyway?
The Ultimate Poker Blinds Guide
Confused by how the blinds work in poker? The blinds are an integral part of most poker formats, so having a decent idea of how they work is going to be extremely useful. Not to worry! Every critical aspect of the blinds will be discussed in this brief guide: Counting in Big Blinds Posting the Blinds Introduction of Antes Heads-Up Blinds What Are the Blinds in Poker? The Blinds à Forced payments made by two players at the table before any of the cards are dealt.
Poker Tournament Strategy - Early Stages
Playing the early stages of an MTT, correctly, will increase our chances of being in a favourable position by the time we reach the mid and late stages of the tournament. While early stage play is typically considered less crucial than late-stage play, we still want to capitalise on any opportunities we are presented with. Don’t Some Pros Just Register Late?
How to Study Poker? 11 Methods to Improve your Skillset
Both recreational and professional players understand the importance of investing time to work on their game. We might even go so far as to actually set aside blocks of time solely dedicated for the purpose of studying which is commendable. But what should we actually do during that time? Many players are unsure exactly how the game of poker should be studied. Are there any proven methods that make the most efficient use of our time?
Late Stage Poker Tournament Strategy
“Late stages” in MTTs refers to anything from the bursting of the bubble to the first-place finish at the final table. So, just how can we maximise our chances of a deep run in a tournament? Understanding ICM Implications Due to ICM (independent chip modelling) implications, the expectation of a particular play will vary depending on which stage of the tournament we find ourselves.
Iso-Raising in Poker: All You Need to Know
Isolation raising (or “iso-raising” for short) is a technique used by poker players to increase the number of hands they play against weak opposition. It involves raising against a preflop limper in an attempt to create a heads-up pot. Why Limpers are Weak It’s a simple fact that most strong poker players do not open-limp (just call when first to act) on the preflop betting round. This fact is especially true in poker’s most popular variant, No Limit Hold’em.
Types of Poker Players
There are many different styles of poker, and no two players have identical strategies. Despite this, it’s possible for two players with profoundly different strategies both to be winners over the long term. Does this mean that it doesn’t matter which poker style of plan we adopt? Not at all, some styles of poker produce winners more consistently than others. If we had to generalise, we could group today’s winning players into 4 main categories.
A Practical Guide
Check-raise – Raising after already checking on the current street. Check-raising in poker has long been considered a deceptive play. Why? Because we take a passive action at first (check), followed by an aggressive action (the raise). Deceptive or not, check-raising constitutes a standard part of the game of poker. Knowing when to check-raise is essential for maximising our profits. Here are some pointers for check-raising in poker.
Finding the Fish Players at the Poker Tables
Let’s define our term – what exactly is a fish in poker? We’ll start with a quick word of warning: Although the word fish has been adopted to serve as a technical term in poker, it is still considered a derogatory expression by many. Use with caution. Fish – A weak or inexperienced player at the table, often a recreational player who constitutes a good target for attempting to win their chips.
Top 6 Ways to Spot a Poker Cheater
While most of us just want to play an honest game of cards, we, unfortunately, live in an age where cheating is more prevalent than ever. Exercising a basic level of vigilance can really go a long way in avoiding falling victim to various poker cheaters and scammers. To help us in this endeavour, we’ll discuss some common methods of cheating and how to spot them. 1. Botting Software This method is by far the most prevalent type of cheating at the online tables.
Top 5 Ways to Beat a Calling Station in Poker
What is Call Station in Poker Call Station: A player who finds it difficult/impossible to make laydowns. Play is characterised by a large amount of calling, especially with weak and marginal holdings that should clearly be folded. It should be evident from the definition that calling stations are not good poker players. Folding is an essential discipline in poker. Knowing when to fold separates the losers from the big winners.
How Donk Betting Can Up Your Winrate
Many players navigate huge chunks of their poker career without ever employing donk bets. After all, they are called “donk” bets for a reason. Historically, it is only bad players that employ such bets as part of their poker strategy. Is donk-betting as bad as it’s made out to be? We might be surprised to learn that donk-betting plays a vital role in theoretically correct play. In other words, if we don’t employ donk-bets in certain scenarios, we are not maximising our winrate.
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