How I Won €151 From Fedor Holz (Hand Analysis)

Fedor Holz, at the age of 27, is already one of the biggest legends of the game.  The German native ranks eighth on the all-time money list with $32,556,377 in career live tournament earnings in addition to two World Series of Poker bracelets. But not many do know that his early career was propelled by […]

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4 Valuable Pieces of Poker Tournament Advice for Beginners

You’ve played your A-game for hours and you made some hands when you needed to. Now, it has finally happened: you’re at the final table eyeing the biggest score of your life. In order to make more moments like this happen for you, I dug through Upswing Poker’s library of tournament articles to pull out […]

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Tourney Boss Hristivoje “ALLinPav” Pavlovic Joins the Upswing Lab Team

One of poker’s most prolific Twitch streamers has joined the Upswing Lab. Hristivoje “ALLinPav” Pavlovic is the newest member of the Upswing Team, and he brings his wealth of experience at the online tournament tables to the Lab. The 27-year-old Australia native comes to the Upswing Poker team with a well-known reputation from his AllinPav […]

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How To Play Ace-King On A Middling Flop After 3-Betting

Raise your hand if you feel like every time you 3-bet with AK, the flop brings three undercards. 3-bet pots are common, but the amount of money involved from the get-go makes things a bit more tense. Today we will try to ease that tension by explaining how to proceed on a pretty common board […]

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[QUIZ] Can You Play These 10 Flush Draws Optimally?

Your skills with flush draws are about to be put to the test with ten example scenarios. You will play as the aggressor in the first six hands, then as the defender in the final four hands. Keep in mind that in close situations, the correct answer is the action PioSolver chooses most often. Take […]

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Single-Raised Pots vs 3-Bet Pots: How Should Your Strategy Differ?

If you want to make as much money in poker as possible, you need to be well versed in the most common spots. In this article, we are going to take a look at the differences between the two most common types of pots in poker: single raised pots and 3-bet pots. Based on the […]

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The Ultimate Guide to Squeezing in No Limit Hold’em

The “squeeze” play — 3-betting preflop versus a raise and one or more callers — was once a staple of TV poker. Players used to be much more likely to just call raises before the flop, which presented many squeezing opportunities for aggressive players. Squeezing is a less frequent part of the game nowadays, especially […]

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Can You Ace Our 10 Toughest Quiz Questions?

There are dozens of poker quizzes here on Upswing Poker. Over the past few days, my team and I sifted through each of them to find the 10 questions that were answered incorrectly at the highest frequency. In other words, these are the most challenging Upswing Poker quiz questions ever. All were answered correctly by less […]

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3 Questions to Ask Yourself When Facing a Bet

Learning poker in 2020 can feel overwhelming. The poker community is always buzzing about solvers and theoretically optimal play — and for good reason. In order to reach the highest levels of the game, you need to be familiar with these things. But for most people, especially those who are newer to the game, mastering […]

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Polk vs Negreanu: What Is Happening & How Did We Get Here?

by Haley Hintze The upcoming $200/$400 heads-up match between prominent poker pros Doug Polk and Daniel Negreanu promises to be one of the most watched events of the poker year, whenever it gets underway. Whether it serves as the culmination of the long-running online feud or is just another flashpoint along a heated trail, it’s […]

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Polk vs Negreanu: What Is Happening & How Did We Get Here?

by Haley Hintze The upcoming $200/$400 heads-up match between prominent poker pros Doug Polk and Daniel Negreanu promises to be one of the most watched events of the poker year, whenever it gets underway. Whether it serves as the culmination of the long-running online feud or is just another flashpoint along a heated trail, it’s […]

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Polk vs Negreanu: What Is Happening & How Did We Get Here?

by Haley Hintze The upcoming $200/$400 heads-up match between prominent poker pros Doug Polk and Daniel Negreanu promises to be one of the most watched events of the poker year, whenever it gets underway. Whether it serves as the culmination of the long-running online feud or is just another flashpoint along a heated trail, it’s […]

The post Polk vs Negreanu: What Is Happening & How Did We Get Here? appeared first on Upswing Poker.

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Polk vs Negreanu: What Is Happening & How Did We Get Here?

by Haley Hintze The upcoming $200/$400 heads-up match between prominent poker pros Doug Polk and Daniel Negreanu promises to be one of the most watched events of the poker year, whenever it gets underway. Whether it serves as the culmination of the long-running online feud or is just another flashpoint along a heated trail, it’s […]

The post Polk vs Negreanu: What Is Happening & How Did We Get Here? appeared first on Upswing Poker.

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Polk vs Negreanu: What Is Happening & How Did We Get Here?

by Haley Hintze The upcoming $200/$400 heads-up match between prominent poker pros Doug Polk and Daniel Negreanu promises to be one of the most watched events of the poker year, whenever it gets underway. Whether it serves as the culmination of the long-running online feud or is just another flashpoint along a heated trail, it’s […]

The post Polk vs Negreanu: What Is Happening & How Did We Get Here? appeared first on Upswing Poker.

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Polk vs Negreanu: What Is Happening & How Did We Get Here?

by Haley Hintze The upcoming $200/$400 heads-up match between prominent poker pros Doug Polk and Daniel Negreanu promises to be one of the most watched events of the poker year, whenever it gets underway. Whether it serves as the culmination of the long-running online feud or is just another flashpoint along a heated trail, it’s […]

The post Polk vs Negreanu: What Is Happening & How Did We Get Here? appeared first on Upswing Poker.

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Polk vs Negreanu: What Is Happening & How Did We Get Here?

by Haley Hintze The upcoming $200/$400 heads-up match between prominent poker pros Doug Polk and Daniel Negreanu promises to be one of the most watched events of the poker year, whenever it gets underway. Whether it serves as the culmination of the long-running online feud or is just another flashpoint along a heated trail, it’s […]

The post Polk vs Negreanu: What Is Happening & How Did We Get Here? appeared first on Upswing Poker.

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Polk vs Negreanu: What Is Happening & How Did We Get Here?

by Haley Hintze The upcoming $200/$400 heads-up match between prominent poker pros Doug Polk and Daniel Negreanu promises to be one of the most watched events of the poker year, whenever it gets underway. Whether it serves as the culmination of the long-running online feud or is just another flashpoint along a heated trail, it’s […]

The post Polk vs Negreanu: What Is Happening & How Did We Get Here? appeared first on Upswing Poker.

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Polk vs Negreanu: What Is Happening & How Did We Get Here?

by Haley Hintze The upcoming $200/$400 heads-up match between prominent poker pros Doug Polk and Daniel Negreanu promises to be one of the most watched events of the poker year, whenever it gets underway. Whether it serves as the culmination of the long-running online feud or is just another flashpoint along a heated trail, it’s […]

The post Polk vs Negreanu: What Is Happening & How Did We Get Here? appeared first on Upswing Poker.

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Polk vs Negreanu: What Is Happening & How Did We Get Here?

by Haley Hintze The upcoming $200/$400 heads-up match between prominent poker pros Doug Polk and Daniel Negreanu promises to be one of the most watched events of the poker year, whenever it gets underway. Whether it serves as the culmination of the long-running online feud or is just another flashpoint along a heated trail, it’s […]

The post Polk vs Negreanu: What Is Happening & How Did We Get Here? appeared first on Upswing Poker.

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Polk vs Negreanu: What Is Happening & How Did We Get Here?

by Haley Hintze The upcoming $200/$400 heads-up match between prominent poker pros Doug Polk and Daniel Negreanu promises to be one of the most watched events of the poker year, whenever it gets underway. Whether it serves as the culmination of the long-running online feud or is just another flashpoint along a heated trail, it’s […]

The post Polk vs Negreanu: What Is Happening & How Did We Get Here? appeared first on Upswing Poker.

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Polk vs Negreanu: What Is Happening & How Did We Get Here?

by Haley Hintze The upcoming $200/$400 heads-up match between prominent poker pros Doug Polk and Daniel Negreanu promises to be one of the most watched events of the poker year, whenever it gets underway. Whether it serves as the culmination of the long-running online feud or is just another flashpoint along a heated trail, it’s […]

The post Polk vs Negreanu: What Is Happening & How Did We Get Here? appeared first on Upswing Poker.

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Polk vs Negreanu: What Is Happening & How Did We Get Here?

by Haley Hintze The upcoming $200/$400 heads-up match between prominent poker pros Doug Polk and Daniel Negreanu promises to be one of the most watched events of the poker year, whenever it gets underway. Whether it serves as the culmination of the long-running online feud or is just another flashpoint along a heated trail, it’s […]

The post Polk vs Negreanu: What Is Happening & How Did We Get Here? appeared first on Upswing Poker.

Read More

Polk vs Negreanu: What Is Happening & How Did We Get Here?

by Haley Hintze The upcoming $200/$400 heads-up match between prominent poker pros Doug Polk and Daniel Negreanu promises to be one of the most watched events of the poker year, whenever it gets underway. Whether it serves as the culmination of the long-running online feud or is just another flashpoint along a heated trail, it’s […]

The post Polk vs Negreanu: What Is Happening & How Did We Get Here? appeared first on Upswing Poker.

Read More

Polk vs Negreanu: What Is Happening & How Did We Get Here?

by Haley Hintze The upcoming $200/$400 heads-up match between prominent poker pros Doug Polk and Daniel Negreanu promises to be one of the most watched events of the poker year, whenever it gets underway. Whether it serves as the culmination of the long-running online feud or is just another flashpoint along a heated trail, it’s […]

The post Polk vs Negreanu: What Is Happening & How Did We Get Here? appeared first on Upswing Poker.

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3 Crucial Types of Poker Software for Serious Players in 2020

If you’re serious about poker, there are a few must-have types of poker software / poker tools. Whether you play online or live, these tools can also help take your game to the next level so you can maximize your winnings and rise up in stakes. In this article, I am going to review the […]

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[QUIZ] Do You Bluff (& Semi-Bluff) Like A Pro?

As Doug Polk likes to say, bluffing is life in poker. 10 years ago you could be a wimpy bluffer and still win in most games. These days, however, you need to have a good handle on this foundation of the game. In this quiz you will be presented with 10 hand scenarios. Your goal […]

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Nick Petrangelo Wins WPT Six-Max Championship for $494,500

999 players entered the $3,200 buy-in WPT Six-Max Championship, but when the dust settled only one remained. Upswing coach Nick Petrangelo outlasted everyone in the massive World Poker Tour event, taking down the grand prize of $494,500. The event was played on partypoker.com and reached a massive $3,000,000 prize pool. After ending day 1B with […]

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7 Must-Read Articles That Will Help Your Poker Game

I’ve been running the Upswing Poker blog for over four years. In that time I have commissioned, read, and published nearly 1,000 articles to help you, my dear reader, improve your poker skills. Today I’ve gathered seven of the most valuable/fundamental Upswing Poker articles ever published. These articles will help you improve your strategy, mental […]

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How to Destroy Your Opponent After Seeing One Showdown (Part 2)

Sometimes it takes just one showdown for a great poker player to change their game plan and start crushing opponents. If you want to maximize your win-rate, you need to be able to identify and exploit the leaks in your opponents’ games. One of the best ways to do this is by paying attention to […]

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5 Mistakes to Avoid When Playing Pocket Aces

After hours of looking down at hands like T♠ 5♣, it finally happens. You get dealt the beautiful pocket aces. But getting dealt the best hand in poker doesn’t entitle you to win a big pot — or even a small pot. To extract max value with your pocket aces, you have to avoid the […]

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Moss Poker: How to Play The Funnest Poker Game You’ve Never Played

I have been obsessed with a poker game recently. It’s not No Limit Hold’em, nor is it the great game of Pot Limit Omaha. But, like those games, it does involve both hole cards and community cards. The name of the game? Moss Poker. Since high stakes regular Henrik Hecklen tweeted the rules early last […]

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3 Situations to Value Your Overcard Hands in Texas Hold’em

You look down at your cards. You see a nice high card hand, like KQ, QJ or even AK. Your raise picks up a caller or two. Then, you completely whiff on the flop, which is pretty sad. But wait, it might not be over yet! As you will see in this article, there are […]

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7 Poker Tells You Should Look Out For

Poker tells are a tricky topic. Most beginners put way too much credence into tells early in their poker journey. Eating an Oreo cookie could mean someone has a strong hand in the movies, but in real life…not so much. But many experienced pros focus solely on playing a good strategy, completely ignoring live poker […]

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10 Questions to Ask Yourself Before Exploiting an Opponent

As you’ve probably heard before: everything you do at the poker table conveys information. Anyone that has played live poker for a long time understands that humans are oftentimes bad at hiding what they are thinking. That’s why it’s so important to pay close attention to what your opponents are doing, especially in a live […]

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Patrick Leonard’s 4-Part Recipe for Poker Success

Patrick Leonard certainly knows a few things about success. The English poker pro and partypoker ambassador boasts a poker resume that speaks for itself, with nearly $14 million in career earnings. Leonard recently authored a blog post on Medium, detailing what he calls his “Four Underrated Ingredients to Success”. Inspired by his recent career-high tournament […]

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How to Dominate Ace-High Flops in 3-Bet Pots (Deep Analysis)

You need to be well-versed in 3-bet pots if you want to win in 2020. 3-bets are much more common than they used to be, which is why it’s more important than ever to know how to play well in 3-bet pots. This article will zoom in on one specific, but relatively common situation: playing […]

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How to Simplify Your Poker Strategy Without Sacrificing Value

We all strive for simplicity in our life, but is it something to strive for in poker too? Short answer: Yes. In this article, I am going to cover some pros and cons of simplifying your poker strategy so it’s easier for you to execute in-game. Then, I’ll demonstrate the (very low) cost of simplifying […]

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Phil Hellmuth Loses It Over Liv Boeree’s Very Standard Play (Analysis)

Few things in poker are more entertaining than a Phil Hellmuth rant. The ‘Poker Brat’ is an old school legend of the game. He has over $23,000,000 in live tournament winnings and leads all-time with 15 WSOP bracelets. But despite his success on the felt, many people know him better for his tirades after losing […]

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[QUIZ] Poker 101 Quiz for Beginners

Ready to test yourself on some of the most fundamental skills in poker? Today’s quiz will take you through 11 questions that cover some basic poker concepts, including pot odds, ranges, c-betting, and bet sizing. Good luck! (Note: If you are unfamiliar with the 9 positions at a poker table, click here to review them. […]

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10 Crucial Stats To Include On Your HUD In 2020

Want to maximize your win-rate? Then you always need to be on the lookout for ways to exploit your opponents. One of the best ways to do that is by using a HUD. What is a HUD in poker? Short for Heads-Up Display, a HUD is a tool used in online poker games to track […]

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5 Tips to Stop Bleeding Chips from the Small Blind

The small blind is arguably the most difficult position to master in No Limit Hold’em. This position is particularly challenging for two main reasons: You are forced to pay half of a big blind without looking at your cards You play every single postflop situation with a positional disadvantage If you take this 5-step professional […]

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Should He Call 3 Expensive Barrels With Middle Pair? (Analysis)

When you play poker, it can be easy to feel like a one man wolfpack. Even if you get along with the people that you are playing with, at the end of the day, you are still competing against them for money. Table camaraderie only goes so far. That’s why it’s so important to network […]

The post Should He Call 3 Expensive Barrels With Middle Pair? (Analysis) appeared first on Upswing Poker.

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[QUIZ] Can You Play Famous Poker Hands Like a Top Pro?

Have you ever wondered what it would be like to play as one of the world’s most famous poker players?  Today you get that chance. This quiz will take you through 10 real hands that were played by world-class players at some of the world’s highest stakes. Get ready and good luck! If the quiz […]

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10 Poker Mindset Mistakes to Avoid

Are mental game mistakes costing you money? In this article I’m going to discuss the most common poker mindset mistakes I see being made by online and live poker players. Whether you’re a high stakes, mid stakes, or low stakes player, you will surely recognize some of these mistakes. 1. Neglecting Your Game When Running […]

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Set Over Set for $561,800 (Tom Dwan vs Patrik Antonius Analysis)

Coolers are inevitable in poker. It doesn’t matter if you are playing micro-stakes or the nosebleeds; every once in awhile, a cold deck will slap you in the face. The following “old school” hand between Tom Dwan and Patrik Antonius is an example of that, and unfortunately for one of them, the stakes were anything […]

The post Set Over Set for $561,800 (Tom Dwan vs Patrik Antonius Analysis) appeared first on Upswing Poker.

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How to Maximize Your Profit on Paired Flops In Position

Improving your fundamentals in common spots is one of the easiest ways to improve your win-rate. Here’s the common spot that will be the focus of this article: you raise, the big blind calls, and a paired flop falls. What will be covered? Why You Shouldn’t Play All Paired Boards The Same Way How to […]

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Amir Vahedi’s 3 Bluffing Tips from 2009 Stand the Test of Time

The evolution of poker strategy is fascinating. When I first started my journey into poker a few years ago, I began by reading every old book I could find. As I got more serious about poker, however, I realized that a lot of the strategy taught in these books is outdated. So when I recently […]

The post Amir Vahedi’s 3 Bluffing Tips from 2009 Stand the Test of Time appeared first on Upswing Poker.

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5 Advanced Poker Strategies & Tips To Supercharge Your Poker Wins

Ready for some advanced nuggets of poker wisdom that will help your game? For today’s article, I dug through Upswing’s extensive library of strategy articles and extracted five of the most important tips that have been covered over the years. While these tips cover vastly different topics, they should all play a part in your […]

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Red Chip Poker Wraps Up Season 3 of Their Podcast

The Red Chip Poker Podcast co-hosted by Zac Shaw and James “Splitsuit” Sweeney, has just completed production on its third season.

In this article we recap the highlights of the final four episodes or the popular poker strategy audio show.

The post Red Chip Poker Wraps Up Season 3 of Their Podcast appeared first on Cardplayer Lifestyle Poker Blog.

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Bluff-Raising to $302,000 vs Patrik Antonius (Analysis)

Let’s take a look at what is perhaps the most interesting TV poker hand Doug Polk ever played. The blinds are $1,000/$2,000 with $2,000 in total antes. Both Doug and his opponent, the famous Patrik Antonius, are very deep, with an effective stack depth of $470,000 (235 big blinds). Let’s dig into the action! Preflop […]

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[QUIZ] Can You Exploit This Hypothetical Poker Table?

Time to test you exploitative prowess!  The following quiz will challenge you with 10 hand scenarios at a live $2/$5 table. Before diving into the hands, click “See Player Reads” below to get valuable information about each of the other players at the table.  Your goal is to figure out the best play given the […]

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Why Coffee is Hurting Your Poker Results

Hey there, Upswing fam! Today we’re mixing things up with a guest article by “Coach” Bahman Zarghami that will help you with your mental game. Even if you don’t want to give up your daily coffee, this short article is worth a read so you can better understand stress and anxiety as they relate to […]

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BONKERS Bluff With $992,500 On The Line (Analysis of PokerGO’s Record-Breaking Pot)

Let’s take a look at the biggest pot in PokerGO history. This hand comes from Rob Yong’s Home Game streamed on PokerGO and features Rick Salomon and Lazaro Hernandez colliding in a $993,000 pot. The game is played at nosebleed stakes, with blinds set at $1,000/$2,000 with a $4,000 straddle. Hernandez is $580,000 deep (~145 […]

The post BONKERS Bluff With $992,500 On The Line (Analysis of PokerGO’s Record-Breaking Pot) appeared first on Upswing Poker.

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How to Snowball Your Winnings vs Weak Players

When you’re up against weak players, you have the opportunity to snowball your winnings. These players make much larger mistakes than regulars, and taking maximum advantage of those mistakes allows you to achieve a higher win-rate with less variance in your results. In this short article, I am going to show you how to extract […]

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Why Teddy KGB is Actually Bad at Poker

Teddy KGB is a feared character in Rounders, the most iconic poker movie of all time. Teddy’s scary traits include his status as a Russian mob boss and deep ties into the New York City underworld. Those traits do not include his skill at the poker table, which (spoiler alert) lead to Mike McDermott taking […]

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River Probing: How to Play Rivers When Your Foe C-Bets, Then Checks Back

Your river probing strategy in 2020 is more important than ever before. Most players c-bet over 60% of the time on the flop these days. This means you will frequently find yourself calling a flop bet, then having to decide whether to bet or check on the river after the action checked through on the […]

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Your $1/$2 Hands Analyzed By A Live Cash Crusher

Featured Photo: Joe Giron & PokerNews (Edited from Original) You posted the hands. Now, we break ‘em down. With the help of live poker specialist (and crusher) Mike Finstein, I am going to analyze two $1/$2 live hands that were played by members of the Upswing Lab. Each member posted their hand in the private […]

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Set vs Set vs Flush for (At Least) a $224,000 Pot (Analysis)

After playing for hours, it finally happens: you flop a set. But as you are busy counting all of the money you are about to win, the turn brings a possible flush and multiple opponents start to pile money into the pot. Naturally, the scary board and heavy action make you start to question whether […]

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[QUIZ] Can You Beat the People of Instagram at Poker, Again?

We love quizzing our Instagram audience with head-scratching poker scenarios. (If you took the first Instagram quiz last week, you already know this.) The quiz you’re about to take includes 10 hand scenarios we’ve posted on the social platform in the past year or so. Let’s see how your skills stack up versus the scrollers […]

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How to Adjust Your Strategy in Splashy Live Games

My local $1/$2 game is crazy. People call raises with all sorts of garbage hands and they never seem to fold a pair postflop, but I can’t seem to win! How should I adjust my strategy in this game? We see questions like this all the time in the Upswing Poker Facebook groups. It seems like […]

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[QUIZ] Can You Beat the People of Instagram at Poker?

We love quizzing our Instagram audience with head-scratching poker scenarios. Their responses are usually a mixed bag. The top comment is almost always the hilarious joke “all-in” (makes me laugh every time), but reading the earnest responses gives you an interesting look into how players of different levels approach poker. The quiz below includes 10 […]

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How to Avoid the Unhealthy Mindset That Tortures Poker Players

If you want longevity in poker, you need to have a strong mental game. Among other things, that means you have to find be able to self-criticize (so you can grow as a player) while not self-shaming. Way too many poker players are extremely harsh and critical of themselves. Such a mindset may help in […]

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Leveling: How Thinking Too Much Costs You Money at the Poker Table

In 1999 (and then later in 2006) David Sklansky in his celebrated book The Theory of Poker introduced the world to the various levels of thinking in poker. For those unfamiliar with the concept, they can be summarized as follows (slightly renumbered from their original version to include purely irrational actions): Level 0: I do not […]

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Win a Free 30 Minute Coaching Session with Nick Petrangelo

Elite tournament pro Nick Petrangelo is giving away five free coaching sessions. To enter, you must be a member of one of Nick’s two tournament courses (Winning Poker Tournaments or High Stakes MTT Sessions). If you’re already a member, you can opt-in to the giveaway by filling out the form at the bottom of this […]

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Was This Bluff a Mistake? (Analysis)

This two-part article series will help you improve your strategy with missed draws. In part one, cash game crusher Fried Meulders missed a flush draw with Q♥ 7♥, but got his opponent to fold with a couple of huge overbet bluffs. This time Fried misses a straight draw in a 3-bet pot. Will his aggression […]

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April is Bonus Content Month for Upswing Members

Being stuck at home doesn’t always have to a be bad thing. Online poker is booming at the moment, with some insanely profitable games running as you read this. In addition to the poppin’ tables, Upswing Lab members get to make the most out of their time indoors with free bonus content throughout the month […]

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How to Avoid Getting Crushed After Defending with a Weak Hand

Most of you already know that you should defend your big blind a lot in tournaments, but do you know what to do next? Specifically, how should you approach postflop play after defending with a weak hand? It’s easy to get lost and make mistakes when playing a hand out of position that you aren’t […]

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Cash Game Pro Misses a Draw and Overbets Twice (Analysis)

Deciding what to do with a missed draw can be tricky. Sometimes you should bluff, and sometimes your stack will be better off if you wave the white flag. Choosing the wrong option will either cost you the pot or your stack. To help you better understand when to bluff with missed draws, we’re about […]

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Checking Flops with Overpairs: When Should You Do It?

You look down at the beautiful Q♦ Q♥. You raise preflop and get called by two players. The flop is all undercards, so you still have an overpair. You start to reach for chips, but then you remember this article. What did it say about scenarios like this? You’re about to gain insight into when […]

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Master Preflop Play with the New Advanced Solver Ranges

The Advanced Solver Ranges, now available to Upswing Lab members, are the most comprehensive set of affordable preflop ranges you will find online. The ranges were created by Upswing coach Fried Meulders, a 500NL Zoom crusher known as “mynameiskarl” on PokerStars. Fried ran the sims and painstakingly worked through just about every conceivable preflop scenario […]

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The Importance of Poker Bankroll Management

The biggest reason poker players go broke, a lack of skill aside is because of poor bankroll management. They don’t keep enough money to one side to see them through downswings. This or they play stakes too high for the funds they have available. Practising good bankroll management is like budgeting in your everyday life. […]

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8 Rules to Help You Choose the Perfect Bet Size

Choosing the best bet size is a tricky task in No Limit Hold’em. There is no one ‘perfect’ bet size that can be used in all spots. The optimal bet size will depend on a number of factors, including: Preflop action Board texture Stack depth Who has the range advantage …and many more! In this […]

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Stuck Inside? Watch a Free Poker Training Video from a Premium Course

Crazy times. We know a lot of you are stuck inside at the moment, battling boredom and (hopefully not too much) stress on a daily basis. To help you pass the time and improve your poker skills, we’re giving you a full Play & Explain video from the Upswing Lab training course (for free). So, […]

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10 Fundamental Tips for The Most Common Types of Flops

You’re about to learn about one of the most important factors in poker. Board texture is one of the most important pieces of information in any given hand. The optimal bet sizing, bet frequency, and overall postflop strategy hinges on the specific three cards that come on the flop. In this article, I will shed […]

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PLO Pro Just $2,700 Away from $25,000 Bankroll Challenge Goal

Dylan Weisman is close to mission accomplished on his $5,000 to $25,000 Pot Limit Omaha bankroll challenge. After 17 sessions, Weisman is just $2,700 short of his goal. Day 17 saw Weisman run the bankroll up from $17,709 to $22,300 in a five-hour session. The next stream for Weisman, who’s known as co0kies1 on Twitch, […]

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The Starting Hands That Make the Most Money in Multiway Pots

If you play in games with a lot of loose, passive opponents, read on. You’re about to get some valuable advice for playing preflop in multiway pots. After finishing this article, you will understand the answer to two important questions: Which hands perform best multiway pots? When should you enter a multiway pot? Let’s dive […]

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[QUIZ] What is Your Poker IQ Score?

How knowledgeable are you when it comes to the most popular “big bet” poker games? This 8-question quiz includes questions about No Limit Hold’em (cash games and tournaments), Pot Limit Omaha, and “big bet” poker theory […]

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3 Effective Strategies Most Pot Limit Omaha Pros Don’t Know

You’re about to learn three advanced strategies that will make you a lot more money at Pot Limit Omaha. These strategies are particularly valuable because most PLO pros miss them. If you implement them correctly, you’ll pick up an edge versus even the best players in your games. Leading on the flop as the small […]

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Take a Sneak Peek at the New Advanced PLO Mastery Course

Getting better at Pot Limit Omaha is about to get a whole lot easier. That’s because the brand new Advanced PLO Mastery course is coming to Upswing on Monday, March 2nd. Veteran PLO pros Chris Wehner and Dylan Weisman have condensed and compiled thousands of hours of […]

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The “King of Instagram” Plays Heads-Up Poker (Analysis)

You probably already know Dan Bilzerian. The man dubbed the “King of Instagram” claims to have made his entire fortune playing poker — which has been contested (see: Did Dan Bilzerian Win His Money in Poker?). It’s tough to know how Bilzerian approaches poker strategy because he mainly plays in high stakes private games. Back […]

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Ryan Fee Flops a Full House…Should He Fold? (Cutting-Edge PLO Tactics Revealed)

Home Mike Brady|Poker Strategy|Feb 21, 2020 Ryan Fee Flops a Full House…Should He Fold? (Cutting-Edge PLO Tactics Revealed) Ryan Fee Flops a Full House…Should He Fold? (Cutting-Edge PLO Tactics Revealed) Mike Brady|Poker Strategy|Feb 21, 2020 Home Pot Limit Omaha is a truly sick game. Even when you hit the third best possible hand on the […]

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Fast Playing Vs Slow Playing Revealed

Home Ryan Fee|Poker Strategy|Feb 18, 2020 Fast Playing Vs Slow Playing Revealed Fast Playing Vs Slow Playing Revealed Ryan Fee|Poker Strategy|Feb 18, 2020 Home You flop a set… Your opponent bets into you and you have a decision to make. Will you fast-play with a raise, hoping to get all-in as soon as possible? Or […]

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Strategy from Kristen Bicknell: Differences between cash games to tournaments

Team partypoker’s Kristen Bicknell used to be better-known for her cash game prowess, but now she crushes the biggest online and live tournaments. Here, she talks about the similarities and differences between cash games to tournament poker. Most of my time at the poker table has been spent playing cash games, until recently. In the […]

The post Strategy from Kristen Bicknell: Differences between cash games to tournaments appeared first on Online poker news and updates | partypoker blog.

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Navigating a Nasty Spot with the Second Nuts in Pot Limit Omaha (Analysis)

Home Mike Brady|Poker Strategy|Feb 14, 2020 Navigating a Nasty Spot with the Second Nuts in Pot Limit Omaha (Analysis) Navigating a Nasty Spot with the Second Nuts in Pot Limit Omaha (Analysis) [This post contains video, click to play] Mike Brady|Poker Strategy|Feb 14, 2020 Home If you ever find yourself unsure of how to play […]

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Why 5♠ 4♠ is Better Than 9♠ 8♠ (And How That Fact Impacts Optimal Strategy)

Since the advent of preflop solvers, poker players have discovered some very interesting things about preflop strategy. One particularly interesting and useful discovery has to do with suited connectors. In certain scenarios, low suited connectors (like 54s) are preferable to higher ones (like 98s). You’re about to learn why, and how you should adjust your […]

The post Why 5♠ 4♠ is Better Than 9♠ 8♠ (And How That Fact Impacts Optimal Strategy) appeared first on Upswing Poker.

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5 Preflop Mistakes You Are Probably Making in Pot Limit Omaha

Home Mike Brady|Poker Strategy|Feb 7, 2020 5 Preflop Mistakes You Are Probably Making in Pot Limit Omaha 5 Preflop Mistakes You Are Probably Making in Pot Limit Omaha [This post contains video, click to play] Mike Brady|Poker Strategy|Feb 7, 2020 Home Ready to plug some leaks in your Pot Limit Omaha game? This article will […]

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Short Deck vs No Limit Hold’em: 4 Must-Know Strategic Differences

Since it burst onto the scene a few years ago, Short Deck Hold’em has spread rapidly throughout the poker world. Short Deck has been a staple on the high roller circuit for the past two years, in both cash games and tournaments. More recently, it gained popularity in the United States when the World Series […]

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Short Deck vs No Limit Hold’em: 4 Must-Know Strategic Differences

Since it burst onto the scene a few years ago, Short Deck Hold’em has spread rapidly throughout the poker world. Short Deck has been a staple on the high roller circuit for the past two years, in both cash games and tournaments. More recently, it gained popularity in the United States when the World Series […]

The post Short Deck vs No Limit Hold’em: 4 Must-Know Strategic Differences appeared first on Upswing Poker.

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Want Your Bluffs to Work More Often? Try “Delaying” Them

You’re about to learn a tactic that will help you steal pots from right under you opponent’s nose…and they won’t even know it happened. The tactic involves checking back on the flop as the preflop aggressor, only to bet on the turn. This is referred to as a delayed […]

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3 Key Hands from a Sunday Million Final Table

Home Ernest Gorham|Poker Strategy|Jan 28, 2020 3 Key Hands from a Sunday Million Final Table 3 Key Hands from a Sunday Million Final Table Ernest Gorham|Poker Strategy|Jan 28, 2020 Home Ready to improve your strategy by getting inside the head of a truly great tournament pro? Keep reading. One of the best parts of the […]

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3 Strategies to Help You Win After Calling a 3-Bet

Home Dan B.|Poker Strategy|Jan 24, 2020 3 Strategies to Help You Win After Calling a 3-Bet 3 Strategies to Help You Win After Calling a 3-Bet Dan B.|Poker Strategy|Jan 24, 2020 Home Your results in 3-bet pots will have a huge impact on your bottom line. In fact, one of the easiest ways to dramatically […]

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5 Tips To Help You Break Out of Micro Stakes

Home Dan B.|Poker Strategy|Jan 21, 2020 5 Tips To Help You Break Out of Micro Stakes 5 Tips To Help You Break Out of Micro Stakes Dan B.|Poker Strategy|Jan 21, 2020 Home Every micro stakes player should have one goal: make enough money to move up in stakes. But while many players find it is […]

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[QUIZ] Are You a Shark or a Fish at Live Poker Tables?

Ready to put your live poker skills to the test? The following quiz will take you through a variety of both preflop and postflop situations that are specific to live poker. The correct answer is considered either the highest expected value (EV) action or the action that should be taken most frequently. In other words, […]

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[QUIZ] Are You a Shark or a Fish at Live Poker Tables?

Ready to put your live poker skills to the test? The following quiz will take you through a variety of both preflop and postflop situations that are specific to live poker. The correct answer is considered either the highest expected value (EV) action or the action that should be taken most frequently. In other words, […]

The post [QUIZ] Are You a Shark or a Fish at Live Poker Tables? appeared first on Upswing Poker.

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How the World’s #1 Cash Game Player Has Changed His Strategy

Home Mike Brady|Poker Strategy|Jan 10, 2020 How the World’s #1 Cash Game Player Has Changed His Strategy How the World’s #1 Cash Game Player Has Changed His Strategy [This post contains video, click to play] Mike Brady|Poker Strategy|Jan 10, 2020 Home The text below is based on the video above. How has LLinusLLove been crushing […]

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Take a Tour of the Advanced Cash Game Strategy Course with Kanu7

For the past year, legendary cash game pro Alex “Kanu7” Millar has been hard at work on an advanced course to help you improve your skills. The course is called Advanced Cash Game Strategy, and it’s coming to Upswing Poker on Monday, January 13th. During launch week only you also get his $299 Play Like LLinus course as a free bonus when you […]

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3 Ways You Might Be Bleeding Money in Cash Games

Home Dan B.|Poker Strategy|Jan 7, 2020 3 Ways You Might Be Bleeding Money in Cash Games 3 Ways You Might Be Bleeding Money in Cash Games Dan B.|Poker Strategy|Jan 7, 2020 Home There are so many ways to lose money in poker, but there are only a few ways to win. This is why when […]

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When to Attack After Your Opponent Checks Back (4 Tips for Probing)

Home Mike Brady|Poker Strategy|Jan 3, 2020 When to Attack After Your Opponent Checks Back (4 Tips for Probing) When to Attack After Your Opponent Checks Back (4 Tips for Probing) Mike Brady|Poker Strategy|Jan 3, 2020 Home Being out of position sucks, but it sucks a lot less when your opponent checks back on the flop. […]

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When to Attack After Your Opponent Checks Back (4 Tips for Probing)

Home Mike Brady|Poker Strategy|Jan 3, 2020 When to Attack After Your Opponent Checks Back (4 Tips for Probing) When to Attack After Your Opponent Checks Back (4 Tips for Probing) Mike Brady|Poker Strategy|Jan 3, 2020 Home Being out of position sucks, but it sucks a lot less when your opponent checks back on the flop. […]

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Online Poker Legend Shares Secrets for Four Flush Boards

Home Mike Brady|Poker Strategy|Dec 20, 2019 Online Poker Legend Shares Secrets for Four Flush Boards Online Poker Legend Shares Secrets for Four Flush Boards [This post contains video, click to play] Mike Brady|Poker Strategy|Dec 20, 2019 Home Boards with four cards of the same suit are a special combination of weird and rare… …and many […]

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Mastering 4-Bet Pots with Deliberate Practice (Quiz & New Tool)

Home Alex Sutherland|Poker Strategy|Dec 17, 2019 Mastering 4-Bet Pots with Deliberate Practice (Quiz & New Tool) Mastering 4-Bet Pots with Deliberate Practice (Quiz & New Tool) Alex Sutherland|Poker Strategy|Dec 17, 2019 Home We’re mixing things up today with a guest post from one of Upswing Poker’s partners (Simple Poker). If you use solvers, the five […]

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How to Play Strong Hands on Monotone Flops (Check-Raise vs Slow-Play)

Home Mike Brady|Poker Strategy|Dec 13, 2019 How to Play Strong Hands on Monotone Flops (Check-Raise vs Slow-Play) How to Play Strong Hands on Monotone Flops (Check-Raise vs Slow-Play) [This post contains video, click to play] Mike Brady|Poker Strategy|Dec 13, 2019 Home The text below is based on the video above. Imagine taking a seat at […]

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(Quiz) Let’s Play a Final Table with $173,000 Up Top

Home Ernest Gorham|Poker Strategy|Dec 10, 2019 (Quiz) Let’s Play a Final Table with $173,000 Up Top (Quiz) Let’s Play a Final Table with $173,000 Up Top Ernest Gorham|Poker Strategy|Dec 10, 2019 Home Fortunes are won and lost at final tables, so it’s crucial you play well when you’re lucky enough to make one. To help […]

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Poker Millionaire Reveals His Strategy on Monotone Flops (♠️ ♠️ ♠️)

Home Mike Brady|Poker Strategy|Dec 6, 2019 Poker Millionaire Reveals His Strategy on Monotone Flops (♠️ ♠️ ♠️) Poker Millionaire Reveals His Strategy on Monotone Flops (♠️ ♠️ ♠️) [This post contains video, click to play] Mike Brady|Poker Strategy|Dec 6, 2019 Home The text below is based on the video above. Most poker players misplay monotone […]

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Poker Millionaire Reveals His Strategy on Monotone Flops (♠️ ♠️ ♠️)

Home Mike Brady|Poker Strategy|Dec 6, 2019 Poker Millionaire Reveals His Strategy on Monotone Flops (♠️ ♠️ ♠️) Poker Millionaire Reveals His Strategy on Monotone Flops (♠️ ♠️ ♠️) [This post contains video, click to play] Mike Brady|Poker Strategy|Dec 6, 2019 Home The text below is based on the video above. Most poker players misplay monotone […]

The post Poker Millionaire Reveals His Strategy on Monotone Flops (♠️ ♠️ ♠️) appeared first on Upswing Poker.

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How a Six-Figure Pro Bluffs with Ace-King (Analysis)

What should I do when I have ace-king and miss the flop? This is one of the most common questions asked by poker players who are just starting out. If you’re an experienced player, you know that there’s a big problem with that question: a lack of details. The positions, preflop action, flop, stack sizes…all […]

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Jason Koon: “It’s the same game, but it isn’t”

I’ve been playing poker professionally since 2008. Over the last decade, no-limit hold ’em has transformed from a game of feel, moves, and tricks to one of scientific precision and robotic execution. Some players miss the “good ‘ol days,” but I believe the game of poker is more beautiful than ever. I’m writing this to […]

The post Jason Koon: “It’s the same game, but it isn’t” appeared first on Online poker news and updates | partypoker blog.

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How to Handle Downswings Like a Poker Pro

What’s the only thing worse than losing money in one session of poker? Going on a poker downswing that causes you to lose money an extended period of time. Bad beats can seriously test your mental game. Downswings are an inevitable part of poker. It doesn’t matter whether you are brand new to the game […]

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How to Handle Downswings Like a Poker Pro

What’s the only thing worse than losing money in one session of poker? Going on a poker downswing that causes you to lose money an extended period of time. Bad beats can seriously test your mental game. Downswings are an inevitable part of poker. It doesn’t matter whether you are brand new to the game […]

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We’re Slashing Prices for Black Friday & Cyber Monday

Have you considered upgrading your poker skills with one of Upswing’s training courses? It’s time to get off the fence because we’re slashing prices by 25% site-wide for Black Friday! And by site-wide, we mean every course and tool on the site will be 25% off, including the Upswing Lab, Nick Petrangelo’s tournament courses, Doug […]

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Flopping Top Set in a $1,000,000 Tournament (Analysis)

Humans are results oriented creatures. When we lose a hand we’ll go over it in our heads numerous times. Yet when we win a hand we often don’t give it a second thought. However, when analyzing your play, it’s extremely important to look back at all of your hands with an analytical eye, regardless of […]

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Flopping Top Set in a $1,000,000 Tournament (Analysis)

Humans are results oriented creatures. When we lose a hand we’ll go over it in our heads numerous times. Yet when we win a hand we often don’t give it a second thought. However, when analyzing your play, it’s extremely important to look back at all of your hands with an analytical eye, regardless of […]

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8 Live Poker Tips That Will Put More Cash in Your Pocket

Home George Mathias|Poker Strategy|Nov 15, 2019 8 Live Poker Tips That Will Put More Cash in Your Pocket 8 Live Poker Tips That Will Put More Cash in Your Pocket George Mathias|Poker Strategy|Nov 15, 2019 Home Despite sharing the same rules, live poker games are quite a bit different than their online counterparts. Whether it […]

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8 Live Poker Tips That Will Put More Cash in Your Pocket

Home George Mathias|Poker Strategy|Nov 15, 2019 8 Live Poker Tips That Will Put More Cash in Your Pocket 8 Live Poker Tips That Will Put More Cash in Your Pocket George Mathias|Poker Strategy|Nov 15, 2019 Home Despite sharing the same rules, live poker games are quite a bit different than their online counterparts. Whether it […]

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How to Exploit 3 Different Types of Poker Players

Home Dan B.|Poker Strategy|Nov 12, 2019 How to Exploit 3 Different Types of Poker Players How to Exploit 3 Different Types of Poker Players Dan B.|Poker Strategy|Nov 12, 2019 Home Your goal in poker is to make as much money as possible. In order to do that, you must exploit your opponents to the maximum, […]

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Firing a Triple Barrel Bluff with 6♣️ 5♣️ on K-7-4 (Analysis)

Home Dan B.|Poker Strategy|Nov 8, 2019 Firing a Triple Barrel Bluff with 6♣️ 5♣️ on K-7-4 (Analysis) Firing a Triple Barrel Bluff with 6♣️ 5♣️ on K-7-4 (Analysis) Dan B.|Poker Strategy|Nov 8, 2019 Home All of the world’s top poker players have something in common: they play extremely aggressively. Playing aggressively allows you to put […]

The post Firing a Triple Barrel Bluff with 6♣️ 5♣️ on K-7-4 (Analysis) appeared first on Upswing Poker.

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How to Play Middle Set on A♦ 8♠️ 6♠️ K♠️ for $15,747 (PLO Analysis)

Home Mike Brady|Poker Strategy|Nov 4, 2019 How to Play Middle Set on A♦ 8♠️ 6♠️ K♠️ for $15,747 (PLO Analysis) How to Play Middle Set on A♦ 8♠️ 6♠️ K♠️ for $15,747 (PLO Analysis) [This post contains video, click to play] Mike Brady|Poker Strategy|Nov 4, 2019 Home $25/$50 Pot Limit Omaha is a BIG game. […]

The post How to Play Middle Set on A<span style=”color: #ff0000;”>♦</span> 8♠️ 6♠️ K♠️ for $15,747 (PLO Analysis) appeared first on Upswing Poker.

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(Quiz) Can You Size Your Bets Like a Poker Boss?

Get ready to test your bet sizing skills. You are about to be presented with ten different spots and two bet sizing options for each. Your goal is to choose the size with the highest expected value. If you would usually check with one of the hands in question, answer with the bet size you […]

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How to Win More Pots with Delayed C-Bets

Every skilled poker player has the c-bet (short for “continuation bet”) in their arsenal. C-betting capitalizes on two crucial facts: The preflop aggressor usually has the strongest range of any player in the hand. It’s hard to connect with the flop. (The chance of flopping a pair with any non-paired hand in Texas Hold’em is […]

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Sneak Peek at the New Short Deck Course with Kane Kalas

Home Mike Brady|Poker News & History, Poker Strategy|Oct 28, 2019 Sneak Peek at the New Short Deck Course with Kane Kalas Sneak Peek at the New Short Deck Course with Kane Kalas Mike Brady|Poker News & History, Poker Strategy|Oct 28, 2019 Home Meet the latest elite pro to join the Upswing team: Kane Kalas. Kane […]

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How to Get Max Value with Ace-Jack on Jack-Jack-Five (Analysis)

Home Dan B.|Poker Strategy|Oct 18, 2019 How to Get Max Value with Ace-Jack on Jack-Jack-Five (Analysis) How to Get Max Value with Ace-Jack on Jack-Jack-Five (Analysis) Dan B.|Poker Strategy|Oct 18, 2019 Winning big pots is crucial for your bottom line. Whoever wins the big pots during a session is very likely to be the biggest […]

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Beat Calling Stations with These 3 Stupid-Simple Tricks

Home George Mathias|Poker Strategy|Oct 15, 2019 Beat Calling Stations with These 3 Stupid-Simple Tricks Beat Calling Stations with These 3 Stupid-Simple Tricks George Mathias|Poker Strategy|Oct 15, 2019 A “calling station” is a player who calls often regardless of their hand strength. These fold-averse players are most commonly found in live and low stakes online games. […]

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How to Win Your Blind vs Blind Battles (as the Preflop Raiser)

Home Dan B.|Poker Strategy|Oct 11, 2019 How to Win Your Blind vs Blind Battles (as the Preflop Raiser) How to Win Your Blind vs Blind Battles (as the Preflop Raiser) Dan B.|Poker Strategy|Oct 11, 2019 As I said in part 1 and part 2 of the series, blind vs blind battles are happening way more […]

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How to Win Your Blind vs Blind Battles (as the Preflop Raiser)

Home Dan B.|Poker Strategy|Oct 11, 2019 How to Win Your Blind vs Blind Battles (as the Preflop Raiser) How to Win Your Blind vs Blind Battles (as the Preflop Raiser) Dan B.|Poker Strategy|Oct 11, 2019 As I said in part 1 and part 2 of the series, blind vs blind battles are happening way more […]

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How to Win Your Blind vs Blind Battles (as the Preflop Raiser)

Home Dan B.|Poker Strategy|Oct 11, 2019 How to Win Your Blind vs Blind Battles (as the Preflop Raiser) How to Win Your Blind vs Blind Battles (as the Preflop Raiser) Dan B.|Poker Strategy|Oct 11, 2019 As I said in part 1 and part 2 of the series, blind vs blind battles are happening way more […]

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How to Win Your Blind vs Blind Battles (as the Preflop Raiser)

Home Dan B.|Poker Strategy|Oct 11, 2019 How to Win Your Blind vs Blind Battles (as the Preflop Raiser) How to Win Your Blind vs Blind Battles (as the Preflop Raiser) Dan B.|Poker Strategy|Oct 11, 2019 As I said in part 1 and part 2 of the series, blind vs blind battles are happening way more […]

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4 Factors to Think About Before Hero Calling

Home Patrick Harvey|Poker Strategy|Oct 8, 2019 4 Factors to Think About Before Hero Calling 4 Factors to Think About Before Hero Calling Patrick Harvey|Poker Strategy|Oct 8, 2019 Facing a bet with a marginal hand is one of the most uncomfortable feelings in poker. If you’ve ever felt lost in spots like this, you aren’t alone. […]

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4 Factors to Think About Before Hero Calling

Home Patrick Harvey|Poker Strategy|Oct 8, 2019 4 Factors to Think About Before Hero Calling 4 Factors to Think About Before Hero Calling Patrick Harvey|Poker Strategy|Oct 8, 2019 Facing a bet with a marginal hand is one of the most uncomfortable feelings in poker. If you’ve ever felt lost in spots like this, you aren’t alone. […]

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4 Lessons from an Elite Pro’s First Coaching Session

Home Dan B.|Poker Strategy|Oct 4, 2019 4 Lessons from an Elite Pro’s First Coaching Session 4 Lessons from an Elite Pro’s First Coaching Session Dan B.|Poker Strategy|Oct 4, 2019 Feel like improving your poker strategy? You’re about to learn 4 lessons from a live mid-high stakes cash game session that online beast and Upswing Lab […]

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Phil Hellmuth BLOWS UP (Analysis)

Home Ernest Gorham|Poker Strategy|Oct 1, 2019 Phil Hellmuth BLOWS UP (Analysis) Phil Hellmuth BLOWS UP (Analysis) Ernest Gorham|Poker Strategy|Oct 1, 2019 There’s no doubt that Phil Hellmuth has had a very successful poker career. He tops the all-time WSOP bracelet list with fifteen, a whopping five more than those tied for second (Doyle Brunson, Phil […]

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How to Choose Between Small vs Big Bet Sizes

[breadcrumbs] Dan B.|Poker Strategy|Sep 27, 2019 How to Choose Between Small vs Big Bet Sizes How to Choose Between Small vs Big Bet Sizes Dan B.|Poker Strategy|Sep 27, 2019 Imagine you’re playing $1/$2. You raise preflop with 8♥ 7♥ and get called by the player in the big blind. The flop comes… …and your opponent […]

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What Your Poker Strategy Should Look Like in 2020

Home » Ernest Gorham|Poker Strategy|Sep 20, 2019 What Your Poker Strategy Should Look Like in 2020 What Your Poker Strategy Should Look Like in 2020 Ernest Gorham|Poker Strategy|Sep 20, 2019 If you had to choose one, would you use a game theory or exploit based strategy at the table? This has been one of the […]

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5 Lucrative Check-Raising Strategies You Should Try Today

You’re about to get schooled on check-raising strategy. A member of the Upswing Lab posted this hand history in our private group and asked how he should play his range: Online $1/$2. 6-Handed. Effective Stacks $200. Hero is dealt two cards in the big blind 3 folds. Button raises to $5. sb folds. Hero calls. […]

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5 Lucrative Check-Raising Strategies You Should Try Today

You’re about to get schooled on check-raising strategy. A member of the Upswing Lab posted this hand history in our private group and asked how he should play his range: Online $1/$2. 6-Handed. Effective Stacks $200. Hero is dealt two cards in the big blind 3 folds. Button raises to $5. sb folds. Hero calls. […]

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7 Multiway Tactics You Should Know Going Into 2020

If you want to improve your results in pots with three or more players, keep reading. You’re about to learn seven tactical adjustments that will help you play better in multiway pots. This one is going to be especially helpful for the live players out there! Each section below covers a different multiway spot. If […]

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5 Tips for Playing Backdoor Flush & Straight Draws

Backdoor draws play a significant role in the range construction process. If you aren’t don’t regularly consider backdoor draws when making decisions at the table, this short list of tips is for you. As you’re about to learn, backdoor draws aren’t valuable just because of their additional equity to hit a strong hand. Backdoor draws […]

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Tom Dwan’s Aces Up vs a Chinese Billionaire (Analysis)

Perhaps the most infamous young poker player of the modern era, Tom Dwan blew away casual poker fans with his loose-aggressive strategy on televised high stakes cash games from 2008-2011. Then he went from hero to villain in the eyes of many as he has neglected to finish his 50,000 hand “durrrr challenge” — which […]

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Win More Money vs Limpers NOW!

It’s fish frying time! You are about to learn how absolutely crush a recreational player who frequently limps. This article covers both preflop and postflop play versus a single limper, focusing mainly on flop strategy. Preflop Strategy Every player approaches limping differently — limping a wider or narrower ranges of hands. Shifting your strategy to counter […]

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How to Set Up a $145,084 Run in the Sunday Million (Analysis)

If there’s one online poker tournament that everyone wants to final table, it’s the PokerStars Sunday Million. Tournament crusher Moritz ‘Mo’ Dietrich recently did just that, taking home $145,084 after making a deal with two players left. In this article, Mo reveals the strategy behind the first hand he played in the tournament — a […]

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(QUIZ) Can You Dominate Live Poker Games?

If you frequent live poker games with a $2, $3, or $5 big blind, this quiz is for you. Your goal is to choose the most profitable play based on the situation and reads provided. At the end of the quiz, you’ll get assigned with a live poker player based on your score. Good luck! […]

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(QUIZ) Can You Dominate Live Poker Games?

If you frequent live poker games with a $2, $3, or $5 big blind, this quiz is for you. Your goal is to choose the most profitable play based on the situation and reads provided. At the end of the quiz, you’ll get assigned with a live poker player based on your score. Good luck! […]

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3 Small Stakes Hands Analyzed by High Stakes Veterans

Have you ever wanted to pick the brain of an experienced high stakes poker player? In a recent module available in the Upswing Poker Lab, Doug Polk and Ryan Fees analyzed cash game hand samples that were submitted by Lab members. These hands have a micro-small stakes theme, with stakes ranging from $0.02/$0.05 to $0.25/$0.50. […]

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What is Expected Value (EV) in Poker? This Basketball Analogy Will Make it Clear

Today we’re going to discuss expected value — what it means, why it’s important, and how to apply it. It’s one of the most basic concepts in poker, and one of the most important to understand. Table of Contents: What is Expected Value (EV)? Real World Example: The Steph Curry Bet How to Calculate Expected […]

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What is Expected Value (EV) in Poker? This Basketball Analogy Will Make it Clear

Today we’re going to discuss expected value — what it means, why it’s important, and how to apply it. It’s one of the most basic concepts in poker, and one of the most important to understand. Table of Contents: What is Expected Value (EV)? Real World Example: The Steph Curry Bet How to Calculate Expected […]

The post What is Expected Value (EV) in Poker? This Basketball Analogy Will Make it Clear appeared first on Upswing Poker.

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How to Maximize Your Winnings Versus Multiple Limpers

You are playing in a darn good game if you’re often facing multiple limps. To help you maximize your winnings in these juicy games, I am going to shed light on how you should adjust your preflop strategy when more than one player has limped in front of you. Table of Contents: Raising Over Multiple […]

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What an Elite Player Thinks During a Big Final Table (Analysis)

Many tournament players love to talk about their bust out hands. They might play dozens of interesting hands over a 10-hour span, yet that final one is usually all you’ll hear about. We’ve all done it, but this really misses the bigger picture. What separates the tournament crushers from the bad regs isn’t just how […]

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How to React to a Check-Raise on the Turn: Theory vs Practice

If facing a turn check-raise has ever made you hate life, this is the article for you. We are about to go over both the theoretical and practical aspects of this situation so you can quickly identify the winningest strategy for your given hand. Table of Contents: General Advice for Playing vs Turn Check-Raise Practice […]

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How to React to a Check-Raise on the Turn: Theory vs Practice

If facing a turn check-raise has ever made you hate life, this is the article for you. We are about to go over both the theoretical and practical aspects of this situation so you can quickly identify the winningest strategy for your given hand. Table of Contents: General Advice for Playing vs Turn Check-Raise Practice […]

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A 3.7 Million Dollar River Card at the WSOP (Hand Analysis)

It’s the 2017 WSOP One Drop final table and just two players remain. The $3,686,865 up top is going to either Upswing Poker’s own Doug Polk or high stakes pro Bertrand ‘ElkY’ Grospellier.  Doug is sitting on a stack of 37.6 million chips (47bb) while Elky has 27.4 million chips (34bb). Doug is on the […]

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(Quiz) Are You a Double Barrelin’ Cowboy at the Poker Table?

Are you a double barrelin’ cowboy or a city slicker when it comes to c-betting on the turn? We’re about to find out! You’re about to “play” 10 hands that reach the turn after you’ve c-bet on the flop. You’ll have two simple options in each hand: bet or check. Keep in mind that a […]

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(Quiz) Are You a Double Barrelin’ Cowboy at the Poker Table?

Are you a double barrelin’ cowboy or a city slicker when it comes to c-betting on the turn? We’re about to find out! You’re about to “play” 10 hands that reach the turn after you’ve c-bet on the flop. You’ll have two simple options in each hand: bet or check. Keep in mind that a […]

The post (Quiz) Are You a Double Barrelin’ Cowboy at the Poker Table? appeared first on Upswing Poker.

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4 Quick Hands That Will Help You Conquer Tournaments

Tournament poker can be the most glorious form of the game, or the most brutal. When variance is on your side and you win one, it feels like you’re the best player on the planet. On the other hand, when you are running bad and busting tournament after tournament, it feels like you can’t do […]

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4 Quick Hands That Will Help You Conquer Tournaments

Tournament poker can be the most glorious form of the game, or the most brutal. When variance is on your side and you win one, it feels like you’re the best player on the planet. On the other hand, when you are running bad and busting tournament after tournament, it feels like you can’t do […]

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How to Get Max Value from Poker Database Software

Whether you play online poker seriously or just for practice, the following tips will help you improve your skills and win-rate with database software (like PokerTracker, Hold’em Manager, or DriveHUD). 1. Build yourself an effective HUD An effective HUD is one that contains only the most important and frequently used stats. These crucial stats will […]

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$1,000 Cash Game Insights from a High Stakes Veteran

Ready to improve your live cash game skills? Today we are going to look at three hands that Doug Polk played during a $5/$10 cash game session at the Aria. (This session was documented in a vlog on Doug’s YouTube channel — watch it here.) Let’s get started. Hand #1 9-Handed. Effective Stack $1,000. Doug […]

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$1,000 Cash Game Insights from a High Stakes Veteran

Ready to improve your live cash game skills? Today we are going to look at three hands that Doug Polk played during a $5/$10 cash game session at the Aria. (This session was documented in a vlog on Doug’s YouTube channel — watch it here.) Let’s get started. Hand #1 9-Handed. Effective Stack $1,000. Doug […]

The post $1,000 Cash Game Insights from a High Stakes Veteran appeared first on Upswing Poker.

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The #1 Mistake Players Make When Playing Higher Stakes

At some point in every poker player’s career it happens. You finally build up the courage and bankroll to take a shot at a bigger game, but the moment it starts going poorly you begin to question every decision.  That’s just what happened to Tanner, a member of the Upswing Lab training course. Luckily he […]

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The #1 Mistake Players Make When Playing Higher Stakes

At some point in every poker player’s career it happens. You finally build up the courage and bankroll to take a shot at a bigger game, but the moment it starts going poorly you begin to question every decision.  That’s just what happened to Tanner, a member of the Upswing Lab training course. Luckily he […]

The post The #1 Mistake Players Make When Playing Higher Stakes appeared first on Upswing Poker.

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8 Quick MTT Tips to Help You Top the Leaderboard

The tournament grind is tough. You can go months without a solid score, all the while watching other players succeed around you. Tournaments are nonetheless a high-value format because of the soft competition. So, if you don’t mind the variance, or if you enjoy the format more than cash games, then by all means play […]

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8 Quick MTT Tips to Help You Top the Leaderboard

The tournament grind is tough. You can go months without a solid score, all the while watching other players succeed around you. Tournaments are nonetheless a high-value format because of the soft competition. So, if you don’t mind the variance, or if you enjoy the format more than cash games, then by all means play […]

The post 8 Quick MTT Tips to Help You Top the Leaderboard appeared first on Upswing Poker.

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High Stakes MTT Sessions with Nick Petrangelo Walkthrough (Out Now)

Nick Petrangelo is back with an advanced training course to help you run deep in more tournaments. It’s called High Stakes MTT Sessions and you can get it here. The 20+ hour course features a hand review-heavy format that you’re sure to find fun and valuable. Here’s what Nick had to say about it: I […]

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How to Win When Your Opponent Straddles (3 Crucial Tips)

Adding a straddle into the game creates a whole new set of dynamics which are not so easy to figure out on the fly. However, learning how to play well with a straddle in play is important for your bottom line since pots will be much bigger and stacks will be flying back and forth. […]

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Blind vs Blind Play Explained by a Super High Roller

As promised, Nick Petrangelo is back to help you improve your poker skills. The focus of this hand review video is blind versus blind strategy, but some money bubble-related concepts come up as well. Enjoy! [This post contains video, click to play] Check back for video #3 next Friday! It will cover a big spot […]

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If You Can’t Ace This Cash Game Quiz, You Need to Join the Lab

The Upswing Lab training course has helped poker players of all levels exceed their goals. The Lab’s greatest success story is probably high stakes regular Ali Imsirovic, but many more have seen dramatic improvements as well. If you can’t get all 10 questions correct on this quiz, you really need to get the Lab (unless […]

The post If You Can’t Ace This Cash Game Quiz, You Need to Join the Lab appeared first on Upswing Poker.

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If You Can’t Ace This Cash Game Quiz, You Need to Join the Lab

The Upswing Lab training course has helped poker players of all levels exceed their goals. The Lab’s greatest success story is probably high stakes regular Ali Imsirovic, but many more have seen dramatic improvements as well. If you can’t get all 10 questions correct on this quiz, you really need to get the Lab (unless […]

The post If You Can’t Ace This Cash Game Quiz, You Need to Join the Lab appeared first on Upswing Poker.

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Advance Your Multiway Skills with Nick Petrangelo (Free Video)

High stakes tournament BOSS Nick Petrangelo is here to bolster your multiway pot game. He’s also got a special announcement about a new project he’s been working on. Watch below! [This post contains video, click to play] Want to win a free shirt, hat, or hoodie from the Upswing shop? For a chance to win, […]

The post Advance Your Multiway Skills with Nick Petrangelo (Free Video) appeared first on Upswing Poker.

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Advance Your Multiway Skills with Nick Petrangelo (Free Video)

High stakes tournament BOSS Nick Petrangelo is here to bolster your multiway pot game. He’s also got a special announcement about a new project he’s been working on. Watch below! [This post contains video, click to play] Want to win a free shirt, hat, or hoodie from the Upswing shop? For a chance to win, […]

The post Advance Your Multiway Skills with Nick Petrangelo (Free Video) appeared first on Upswing Poker.

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Did Jason Koon Make a Million Dollar Mistake vs Kane Kalas? (Analysis)

Did this super high roller make a million dollar mistake? We are about to analyze one of the biggest televised No Limit Hold’em cash game hands of all time, which took place on the Triton Poker Million Euro Cash Game in Montenegro. There were 8 poker players at the table with €2,000/€4,000 blinds and a […]

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Crush Live Poker Games With These 8 Battle-Tested Tactics

It is no secret that live poker games are far softer than online games. Most successful online players could switch to live poker and win at a solid rate from the get-go. The same can not be said for successful live players who hop online. Yet the players who have the highest hourly win-rates in […]

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What Top Poker Pros Already Know About 4-Betting

You’re about to learn how professional poker players approach 4-betting. You’ll find the answers to these key questions in this article: Why do we 4-bet? With which hands should we 4-bet? What 4-bet size should we use? How should we adjust our 4-bet sizes in tournaments? The answers are actually quite simple and you can […]

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What Top Poker Pros Already Know About 4-Betting

You’re about to learn how professional poker players approach 4-betting. You’ll find the answers to these key questions in this article: Why do we 4-bet? With which hands should we 4-bet? What 4-bet size should we use? How should we adjust our 4-bet sizes in tournaments? The answers are actually quite simple and you can […]

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How to Win Your Blind vs Blind Battles (as the Preflop Caller)

Does it feel like you’ve been getting into more blind versus blind battles recently? If so, you are correct. Blind versus blind battles have become more frequent and important in the past few years due to a change in the meta-game. Players used to open significantly more often from the cutoff and on the button, […]

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Record-Breaking $438,900 Pot on Live at the Bike (Analysis)

You’re about to read analysis of a hand played just last week between Live at the Bike staple Andy and a recreational player named Jacky. The pot settled just under $439,000 and, spoiler alert, it was not a chop — only one of the players took home the 2.2 Lamborghini pot (a new Live at […]

The post Record-Breaking $438,900 Pot on Live at the Bike (Analysis) appeared first on Upswing Poker.

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Big Blind Defense Strategy 101: Tournaments vs Cash Games

Did you know that it is basically impossible to win money from the big blind in the long run? The big blind has to pay a full blind without looking at their cards (a massive disadvantage) and will be out of position against most opponents postflop. It’s an unforgiving position with many opportunities for mistakes. […]

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Playing with Deep Stacks: Tips, Tricks, & Adjustments to Help You Win

If playing with deep stacks (150bb+) makes you feel anxious or confused, this article will make your life easier. You’re about to learn how to: Adjust your preflop bet sizing when deep stacked. Choose the correct hands to 3-bet and 4-bet when deep stacked. Adjust your postflop game plan when deep stacked. Let’s dive in! […]

The post Playing with Deep Stacks: Tips, Tricks, & Adjustments to Help You Win appeared first on Upswing Poker.

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How to Win on Low Flops When You’re Out of Position

If you’ve ever looked down at a low flop and been unsure how to proceed, this is the article for you. Today we’re going to focus on how to play on low boards out of position after raising before the flop. This can be an intimidating spot because the stack-to-pot ratio is high (making it […]

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(QUIZ) Can You Face Down a Double Barrel on the Turn?

Do you know when to fold, call, and raise against a double barrel on the turn? Let’s find out! Answer the following 10 questions in which you are the big blind versus a player who raised on the button, bet on the flop, and bet again on the turn, then you’ll get an online poker […]

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When a WSOP Champ Called All-in with Ten-High (Analysis)

With 5 players left in the 2019 EPT Monte Carlo Main Event, Ryan Riess and Manig Loeser played a hand that shocked poker fans around the world. Here’s what the stacks looked like before the hand was dealt: And the prize structure: Riess started the hand as by far the shortest stack — even shorter […]

The post When a WSOP Champ Called All-in with Ten-High (Analysis) appeared first on Upswing Poker.

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When a WSOP Champ Called All-in with Ten-High (Analysis)

With 5 players left in the 2019 EPT Monte Carlo Main Event, Ryan Riess and Manig Loeser played a hand that shocked poker fans around the world. Here’s what the stacks looked like before the hand was dealt: And the prize structure: Riess started the hand as by far the shortest stack — even shorter […]

The post When a WSOP Champ Called All-in with Ten-High (Analysis) appeared first on Upswing Poker.

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7 Poker Tournament Tips for Running Deep More Often

Poker tournament tips is, apparently, a pretty common search term on Google. I assume the searchers are looking for a quick checklist to go over before playing a tournament, and not advice on how much to tip the dealers after a big win. When I searched “poker tournament tips” for myself, none of the results […]

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Why Are Most Poker Players Wimpy Bluffers?

(Photo: PartyPoker) In part 1 of this article series, I told you about the Honesty Principle. The Honesty Principle: As a whole, the poker community bluffs much less than it should. In part 2, you read about the poker artificial intelligence Libratus and its uncanny ability to bluff at balanced frequencies. It should be fairly […]

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When a Poker A.I. Went Crazy with Five-Three Suited (Analysis)

In part 1 of this article series, we talked about the fact that the vast majority of poker players do not bluff often enough. As a result, their betting actions generally represent “honesty” (value hands) rather than “dishonesty” (bluffs). This led me to introduce what I call the Honesty Principle. The Honesty Principle: As a […]

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When to Avoid Playing Theoretically Sound

I was just listening to a podcast with Doug Polk and Andres “Educa-p0ker” Artinano. This quote from Andres stood out (paraphrased): Solvers are very good for studying the preflop and flop strategy, but not so useful for studying the turn and the river. Andres is basically saying that it’s less important to play theoretically sound […]

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Why Do Random & Silly Bluffs Work?

Have you ever wondered why pure bluffs work when they do? By pure, I mean situations where the player who is betting has absolutely nothing (not even a draw) while the player who ends up folding has something decent, say at least a pair. Let’s consider the following situation in a live $5/$10 cash game […]

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Why Do Random & Silly Bluffs Work?

Have you ever wondered why pure bluffs work when they do? By pure, I mean situations where the player who is betting has absolutely nothing (not even a draw) while the player who ends up folding has something decent, say at least a pair. Let’s consider the following situation in a live $5/$10 cash game […]

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3 Hands That Will Help You Bluff-Catch with More Success

Is there a more satisfying feeling in poker than calling a bluff? I really don’t think there is. I’m sure you want to experience feeling as much as possible, so you’re about to see 3 hand breakdowns that will help you sniff out more bluffs and fold at the right time. Each hand will include […]

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Introduction to Pot Odds | How and When to Use Pot Odds in Poker

If you aren’t familiar with pot odds in poker or if you just want a refresher, you’re reading the right article. You are about to learn what pot odds are and how to calculate them step-by-step. After that, we will go over 3 examples of using pot odds in different situations (preflop and postflop). Finally, […]

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Who is Jason McConnon? Meet the Cash Game Beast Now on Team Upswing

photo via PokerNews (Jayne Furman) Jason McConnon is a fixture on the mid-high stakes online poker scene, and the man known as JASON.MAC100 on PokerStars has spent the latter part of the 2010s as one of the UK’s most respected cash game specialists. Now, he’s joined Team Upswing to teach Lab members how to crush […]

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The Only Two Valid Reasons to Bet in Poker (Every Other Reason is Wrong)

Why do we bet? This question has fascinated the best poker players for decades now. The legendary David Sklansky probably had the biggest contribution to the unraveling of the reasons behind fundamentally sound betting. Until recent years, the consensus was that there are two reasons to bet: To get value with our strong hands from […]

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This Proven Method Will Boost Your Live Poker Winnings

You want to increase your live poker earnings, right?  Today you will learn a battle-tested method for doing just that. And all you need to pull it off is an online poker account, a small deposit, and a little bit of free time. The idea is to use online poker as a tool to improve […]

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This Proven Method Will Boost Your Live Poker Winnings

You want to increase your live poker earnings, right?  Today you will learn a battle-tested method for doing just that. And all you need to pull it off is an online poker account, a small deposit, and a little bit of free time. The idea is to use online poker as a tool to improve […]

The post This Proven Method Will Boost Your Live Poker Winnings appeared first on Upswing Poker.

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Hand Reading 101: How to Read Hands Better Than a TV Pro

Hand reading is one of the most misunderstood concepts among casual poker players. The mistake these casual players make is trying to put their opponent on one specific hand. That may make for good TV, but it’s not a practical or effective way to approach hand reading. You’re about to learn the right way to […]

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Hand Reading 101: How to Read Hands Better Than a TV Pro

Hand reading is one of the most misunderstood concepts among casual poker players. The mistake these casual players make is trying to put their opponent on one specific hand. That may make for good TV, but it’s not a practical or effective way to approach hand reading. You’re about to learn the right way to […]

The post Hand Reading 101: How to Read Hands Better Than a TV Pro appeared first on Upswing Poker.

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How to Win More Chips When Out of Position in 3-Bet Pots

Like I said in part 1 of this series, a quick way to increase your win-rate is to improve your c-betting strategy in 3-bet pots. Last time you learned about c-betting in position (IP) as the 3-bettor on two different types of flops (coordinated and uncoordinated). Today you’ll learn about c-betting out of position (OOP) as the […]

The post How to Win More Chips When Out of Position in 3-Bet Pots appeared first on Upswing Poker.

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What the Best Poker Pros Already Know About Playing vs. Double Barrels

I know something about you without having met you: you love strategy games. (If you didn’t, you probably wouldn’t have clicked on an article about poker strategy.) Whether its chess, Magic: The Gathering, or League of Legends, you’ve probably spent a lot of time playing these games. So, you must already know that there are […]

The post What the Best Poker Pros Already Know About Playing vs. Double Barrels appeared first on Upswing Poker.

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When Should You Bet on the Flop After 3-Betting?

A quick way to increase your win-rate is to improve your c-betting strategy in 3-bet pots. This article series will help you get ahead of your competition by improving your understanding of these crucial spots. In this first part, we’ll take a look at c-betting in position (IP) as the 3-bettor on two different types of […]

The post When Should You Bet on the Flop After 3-Betting? appeared first on Upswing Poker.

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[Quiz] Are You a Boss or a Fish When Your Opponent 3-Bets?

Are you ready to test your skills versus 3-bet? This quiz will reveal two things: your understanding of the theoretical aspects of playing versus 3-bets and your understanding of the practical ways to adapt based on reads.  If you want to study this spot before taking the quiz, read this article on reacting to 3-bets. […]

The post [Quiz] Are You a Boss or a Fish When Your Opponent 3-Bets? appeared first on Upswing Poker.

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5 Strategic Mistakes Poker Players Make (And How to Exploit Them)

Exploiting your opponents’ leaks is how you really take your win-rate to the next level.  What is a Leak in Poker? A leak is a consistent strategic mistake made by a poker player. This article is written so you don’t need to understand poker game theory to use these specific tactics to crush your opposition. That […]

The post 5 Strategic Mistakes Poker Players Make (And How to Exploit Them) appeared first on Upswing Poker.

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These 4 Poker Cheat Sheets Will Make Your Life Easier

Poker cheat sheets can be great tools for improving your skills. To help you crush your competition this year, we’re giving you 3 sheets that will help you avoid costly and embarrassing mistakes at the table. The sheets we’re giving you today include (click to jump to that sheet): Poker Hand Rankings Cheat Sheet Table […]

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3 Late Position Battles Analyzed by a Cash Game Expert

Hey guys! In this article, we are going to take a close look at 3 hands in which we 3-bet on the button against a cutoff open. Upswing Lab coach Fried “mynameiskarl” Meulders played these hands at 500NL Zoom on PokerStars (a game he crushes). Then, he analyzed each one for his last Lab video […]

The post 3 Late Position Battles Analyzed by a Cash Game Expert appeared first on Upswing Poker.

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3 Late Position Battles Analyzed by a Cash Game Expert

Hey guys! In this article, we are going to take a close look at 3 hands in which we 3-bet on the button against a cutoff open. Upswing Lab coach Fried “mynameiskarl” Meulders played these hands at 500NL Zoom on PokerStars (a game he crushes). Then, he analyzed each one for his last Lab video […]

The post 3 Late Position Battles Analyzed by a Cash Game Expert appeared first on Upswing Poker.

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Why Bad Beats are a Poker Player’s Greatest Gift

A smart friend once suggested to me that perhaps poker would be better if every time players were all-in, the dealer split the pot according to their equity, instead of running it out and pushing everything to the winner of the hand. For instance, if Alice had AA and Bob had KK and both went […]

The post Why Bad Beats are a Poker Player’s Greatest Gift appeared first on Upswing Poker.

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This Poker “Cheat Code” Will Help You Win More Hands

You’re about to learn about a powerful play that was kept secret for years by elite poker pros. It’s called “the weak lead”, and it entails leading on the turn into a player who just c-bet the flop. If you’re thinking “isn’t this called donk-betting?” the answer is yes! A decade or so ago, donk-betting […]

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[Quiz] The Preflop Raiser Checks Back… What’s Your Play on the Turn?

To probe or not to probe — that is the question. The following 10 hand questions take place on the turn after the preflop aggressor checked back on the flop. This is a super common spot that you need to understand if you want to succeed in poker.  Want to study this situation before taking […]

The post [Quiz] The Preflop Raiser Checks Back… What’s Your Play on the Turn? appeared first on Upswing Poker.

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[Quiz] The Preflop Raiser Checks Back… What’s Your Play on the Turn?

To probe or not to probe — that is the question. The following 10 hand questions take place on the turn after the preflop aggressor checked back on the flop. This is a super common spot that you need to understand if you want to succeed in poker.  Want to study this situation before taking […]

The post [Quiz] The Preflop Raiser Checks Back… What’s Your Play on the Turn? appeared first on Upswing Poker.

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How to Win More Money with Your Bluff-to-Value Ratios

Have you ever heard of bluff-to-value ratio? When understood correctly, this concept will help you to make more profitable plays both as the bettor and versus bets. In this article, you’ll learn all you need to know about this ratio: what it is, theoretically correct ratios, and what its limitations are.  What is a Bluff-to-Value […]

The post How to Win More Money with Your Bluff-to-Value Ratios appeared first on Upswing Poker.

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How to Win More Money with Your Bluff-to-Value Ratios

Have you ever heard of bluff-to-value ratio? When understood correctly, this concept will help you to make more profitable plays both as the bettor and versus bets. In this article, you’ll learn all you need to know about this ratio: what it is, theoretically correct ratios, and what its limitations are.  What is a Bluff-to-Value […]

The post How to Win More Money with Your Bluff-to-Value Ratios appeared first on Upswing Poker.

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5 Quick Guidelines for Playing Versus C-Bets on the Flop

Poker is a bit like American football. It’s important to have a solid offense (playing as the aggressor), but if your defense (playing vs. the aggressor) sucks, you’re going to have a tough time winning. Perhaps the most crucial defensive situation in poker is playing vs. a flop c-bet after defending your big blind. This […]

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Avoid These 3 Mistakes to Keep Your Poker Journey on Track

If you want to be a successful poker player in 2019, you need to prioritize your fundamentals. (That’s what I explained in part 1 of this article series. If you missed it, you may want to check it out before reading on — click here to read part 1 now.)  In this article, we will […]

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Stop Bleeding Money in 3-Bet Pots (Playing Vs Missed Turn C-Bet)

The fastest way to improve at poker is to study the most consequential and frequent spots, such as 3-bet pots. In this article, you will find some tips and tactics for 3-bet pots that will help you win more consistently. More specifically, we are going to analyze 3 hands which have the following in common: […]

The post Stop Bleeding Money in 3-Bet Pots (Playing Vs Missed Turn C-Bet) appeared first on Upswing Poker.

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This is How You Should Study Poker If You Want to Win in 2019 (Part 1)

Q: What is more important than hard work? A: Harder work! Malcolm Gladwell made that very clear in his 2011 bestseller “Outliers,” where he popularized the concept that is now known as the 10,000-hour rule. The idea is that in order for someone to achieve mastery in any domain, they have to spend – you […]

The post This is How You Should Study Poker If You Want to Win in 2019 (Part 1) appeared first on Upswing Poker.

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3 Concepts That Should Shape Your Postflop Strategy in 2019 (Positional, Range, and Nut Advantage)

Are you familiar with positional, range, and nut advantages in poker? Using these concepts to shape your postflop strategy will help you make more money in advantageous situations and limit your losses in disadvantageous ones. In this article, you will learn about each of these concepts and how exactly they should impact your strategy. Let’s […]

The post 3 Concepts That Should Shape Your Postflop Strategy in 2019 (Positional, Range, and Nut Advantage) appeared first on Upswing Poker.

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3 Theoretically Winning Calls That Lose in Practice

Should you favor a theoretically sound strategy or play exploitative poker? This question has been a hot debate in the poker world for the past several years. Some are fierce supporters of theory (sometimes to their stack’s detriment), while others insist that theoretically sound poker has no value and should be disregarded (an absurd proposition). […]

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3 Theoretically Winning Calls That Lose in Practice

Should you favor a theoretically sound strategy or play exploitative poker? This question has been a hot debate in the poker world for the past several years. Some are fierce supporters of theory (sometimes to their stack’s detriment), while others insist that theoretically sound poker has no value and should be disregarded (an absurd proposition). […]

The post 3 Theoretically Winning Calls That Lose in Practice appeared first on Upswing Poker.

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How a Strategy Mastermind Adjusts in Smaller Games (3 Hands)

Adjusting your strategy to exploit weak players is one of the most valuable skills you can have as a poker player. Today we’ll take an in-depth look at 3 hands played by strategy mastermind Ryan Fee during a 50NL session he recorded for Upswing Lab members.  While analyzing each hand, we’ll focus on Fee’s read-based […]

The post How a Strategy Mastermind Adjusts in Smaller Games (3 Hands) appeared first on Upswing Poker.

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How a Strategy Mastermind Adjusts in Smaller Games (3 Hands)

Adjusting your strategy to exploit weak players is one of the most valuable skills you can have as a poker player. Today we’ll take an in-depth look at 3 hands played by strategy mastermind Ryan Fee during a 50NL session he recorded for Upswing Lab members.  While analyzing each hand, we’ll focus on Fee’s read-based […]

The post How a Strategy Mastermind Adjusts in Smaller Games (3 Hands) appeared first on Upswing Poker.

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When Should You Slow-Play a Strong Hand?

It’s generally not a good idea to slow-play strong hands — you’ll usually win more money by fast-playing — but there is a time and a place for every move in poker. In this article, you’ll learn how to identify spots in which a tricky slow-play is more profitable than playing straightforward, and spots where […]

The post When Should You Slow-Play a Strong Hand? appeared first on Upswing Poker.

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When Should You Slow-Play a Strong Hand?

It’s generally not a good idea to slow-play strong hands — you’ll usually win more money by fast-playing — but there is a time and a place for every move in poker. In this article, you’ll learn how to identify spots in which a tricky slow-play is more profitable than playing straightforward, and spots where […]

The post When Should You Slow-Play a Strong Hand? appeared first on Upswing Poker.

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[Quiz] Can You Beat $0.10/$0.25 on PokerStars in 2018?

Poker games are getting tougher to beat by the day, especially on the world’s most competitive poker site. Even at the once-super-soft micro stakes tables, you will run into many players who are serious about the game. Can you beat $0.10/$0.25 on PokerStars in 2018? This 15-question quiz will put your skills to the test […]

The post [Quiz] Can You Beat $0.10/$0.25 on PokerStars in 2018? appeared first on Upswing Poker.

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[Quiz] Can You Beat $0.10/$0.25 on PokerStars in 2018?

Poker games are getting tougher to beat by the day, especially on the world’s most competitive poker site. Even at the once-super-soft micro stakes tables, you will run into many players who are serious about the game. Can you beat $0.10/$0.25 on PokerStars in 2018? This 15-question quiz will put your skills to the test […]

The post [Quiz] Can You Beat $0.10/$0.25 on PokerStars in 2018? appeared first on Upswing Poker.

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How Should You React to Check-Raises on the Flop?

It sucks to get check-raised, especially if you’re not sure how to react to them. It’s easy if your opponent is a tight player who rarely bluffs — against whom you should fold all but your strongest hands. But what about when a tough player — a guy who is capable of bluffing — check-raises […]

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The Ultimate Guide to 6-Handed Poker | 6-Max Cash Game Strategy

6-max (or 6-handed) poker is by far the most popular online cash game format. 6-max games are so popular that they’ve almost completely replaced full-ring (or 9-handed) games on most online poker sites. If you want to become a successful online cash game player, having a strong 6-max game is mandatory. If you’re a tournament […]

The post The Ultimate Guide to 6-Handed Poker | 6-Max Cash Game Strategy appeared first on Upswing Poker.

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What is Short Deck (6 Plus) Hold’em? | Six Plus Hold’em Rules & Strategy

Short Deck Hold’em only hit the poker mainstream in 2018, but it looks like it’s here to stay. Short Deck Hold’em is an action game very similar to Texas Hold’em, except it’s played with a 36-card deck, with all of the 2s through 5s removed. This game is also known as 6 Plus Hold’em. Today […]

The post What is Short Deck (6 Plus) Hold’em? | Six Plus Hold’em Rules & Strategy appeared first on Upswing Poker.

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This PLO Solver Gives You the Perfect Preflop Strategy with Two Clicks

If you play Pot Limit Omaha, this tool will blow your mind. It’s called the PLO Matrix. This easy-to-use PLO solver shows you exactly how to play any hand in any preflop situation. All it takes is two clicks (other than the initial setup). Let me show you how it works. Prefer watching to reading? […]

The post This PLO Solver Gives You the Perfect Preflop Strategy with Two Clicks appeared first on Upswing Poker.

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How Doug Polk Reacts to Flop Raises (3 Example Hands)

You’re about to get a look at three hands played by Doug Polk at $2/$5 on WSOP.com. The focus of each hand is on how to properly play against flop raises, which can be pretty tricky. Doug recorded this session for members of the Upswing Lab to watch and learn from. Get in the Lab […]

The post How Doug Polk Reacts to Flop Raises (3 Example Hands) appeared first on Upswing Poker.

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How Doug Polk Reacts to Flop Raises (3 Example Hands)

You’re about to get a look at three hands played by Doug Polk at $2/$5 on WSOP.com. The focus of each hand is on how to properly play against flop raises, which can be pretty tricky. Doug recorded this session for members of the Upswing Lab to watch and learn from. Get in the Lab […]

The post How Doug Polk Reacts to Flop Raises (3 Example Hands) appeared first on Upswing Poker.

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3 Spots You Should Actually Consider Theory (And 3 Spots You Shouldn’t)

Poker theory can baffle new players, partly because they have preconceived notions about the game — they’ll say things like, “look him in the eye and you’ll know if he’s bluffing,” or, “I had a feeling that raising was the right play.” Usually, these players learn the hard way that there is much more to […]

The post 3 Spots You Should Actually Consider Theory (And 3 Spots You Shouldn’t) appeared first on Upswing Poker.

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2 Strategies You Need to Crush Passive Tables

Playing against passive opposition might be easier than you think. It’s very easy to realize equity against these players, and that incentivizes you to use more aggressive strategies both preflop and postflop. In this article, we’ll discuss those aggressive strategies, and how to play against one move in particular that is characteristic of most live […]

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2 Strategies You Need to Crush Passive Tables

Playing against passive opposition might be easier than you think. It’s very easy to realize equity against these players, and that incentivizes you to use more aggressive strategies both preflop and postflop. In this article, we’ll discuss those aggressive strategies, and how to play against one move in particular that is characteristic of most live […]

The post 2 Strategies You Need to Crush Passive Tables appeared first on Upswing Poker.

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[Quiz] Do You Know How to Play Versus Check-Raise?

Playing against check-raises on the flop is an important aspect of a poker player’s game. If you don’t know how to counter check-raises, you open yourself up to being exploited every time you c-bet. This 10-hand quiz is going to test your fundamental understanding of playing versus check-raises. Good luck! Note: These questions assume you […]

The post [Quiz] Do You Know How to Play Versus Check-Raise? appeared first on Upswing Poker.

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3 Poker Study Techniques That Will Make You a Stronger Player

Poker is a strategically rich game with a colossal amount of strategic possibilities. And those possibilities only increase with more players at the table. Consequently, in order to book consistent wins, you need to have a better understanding of the game than your opponents. To accomplish this, you need to make studying the game part of […]

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What Are Implied Odds? How to Use Implied Odds Like a Veteran Pro

Implied odds aren’t difficult to understand, but many players misapply them while playing. This leads to easily avoidable but costly mistakes. To help you avoid such mistakes, you’re about to learn what implied odds are, how they work, and how they should help shape your strategy. We will cover: What are implied odds? How do […]

The post What Are Implied Odds? How to Use Implied Odds Like a Veteran Pro appeared first on Upswing Poker.

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Pros and Cons of 66% & 100% Pot-Sized C-Bets (The Ultimate Guide, Part 2)

Ready to bolster your flop c-betting skills? Today you’re going to learn the advantages and disadvantages of two common flop c-bet sizes: 66% and 100% pot-sized bets. This is part 2 of The Ultimate Guide to Flop C-Bet Sizing. Check out part 1 here. Here’s the example situation we’ll use throughout this article: You are playing […]

The post Pros and Cons of 66% & 100% Pot-Sized C-Bets (The Ultimate Guide, Part 2) appeared first on Upswing Poker.

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tonkaaaap Reveals 3 Insights On His Way To A 2000% ROI

“Do as I say, not as I do” -Parker “tonkaaaap” Talbot as he analyzes a hand from a $530 multi-table tournament (MTT) on PartyPoker, which he went on to win for about $10k. In this 1.5 hour hand review for Upswing Lab members, tonkaaaap walks you through every hand he played in this MTT. I […]

The post tonkaaaap Reveals 3 Insights On His Way To A 2000% ROI appeared first on Upswing Poker.

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tonkaaaap Reveals 3 Insights On His Way To A 2000% ROI

“Do as I say, not as I do” -Parker “tonkaaaap” Talbot as he analyzes a hand from a $530 multi-table tournament (MTT) on PartyPoker, which he went on to win for about $10k. In this 1.5 hour hand review for Upswing Lab members, tonkaaaap walks you through every hand he played in this MTT. I […]

The post tonkaaaap Reveals 3 Insights On His Way To A 2000% ROI appeared first on Upswing Poker.

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What Flop C-Bet Size Should You Use in Cash Games? (The Ultimate Guide, Part 1)

Here’s a situation you’ve probably faced many times. You are playing a $0.50/$1.00 cash game. The action folds to you on the button, and after raising to $2.50, the big blind calls and you see a flop that looks like this: Q♠ T♦ 5♥ The big blind checks. You have a hand to continuation bet […]

The post What Flop C-Bet Size Should You Use in Cash Games? (The Ultimate Guide, Part 1) appeared first on Upswing Poker.

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How to Play Limped Pots Perfectly

A game with a lot limped pots is a game you want to be playing. These games are often full of weak players because strong players rarely limp. (You may remember this from our How to Destroy Limpers article.)  These small pots will have a big impact on your bottom line. If you want that impact […]

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How to Play Limped Pots Perfectly

A game with a lot limped pots is a game you want to be playing. These games are often full of weak players because strong players rarely limp. (You may remember this from our How to Destroy Limpers article.)  These small pots will have a big impact on your bottom line. If you want that impact […]

The post How to Play Limped Pots Perfectly appeared first on Upswing Poker.

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Suited Connectors: 5 Strategic Mistakes Poker Players Should Avoid

It can be tough to know when (and how) to play a suited connector in Texas Hold’em. If you neglect to consider important factors — such as stack sizes and your opponent’s tendencies — you will likely make a costly mistake with these hands. You’re about to read 5 tips that will help you understand […]

The post Suited Connectors: 5 Strategic Mistakes Poker Players Should Avoid appeared first on Upswing Poker.

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Suited Connectors: 5 Strategic Mistakes Poker Players Should Avoid

It can be tough to know when (and how) to play a suited connector in Texas Hold’em. If you neglect to consider important factors — such as stack sizes and your opponent’s tendencies — you will likely make a costly mistake with these hands. You’re about to read 5 tips that will help you understand […]

The post Suited Connectors: 5 Strategic Mistakes Poker Players Should Avoid appeared first on Upswing Poker.

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Take a Sneak Peek at Winning Poker Tournaments with Nick Petrangelo

Wouldn’t it be nice to steal a super high roller’s strategy to use in poker tournaments you play? Nick Petrangelo has teamed up with Upswing to bring you Winning Poker Tournaments, an in-depth training course that is available right here, right now! Nick is widely regarded as one of the best live and online tournament […]

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Stop Letting Your Poker Ego Cost You Money & Happiness

What’s going on, Upswing fam? Today we’re mixing things up with a guest post that aims to help you with your mental game. Konstantinos “Duncan” Palamourdas is an award-winning math professor from UCLA who specializes in the mathematics of poker, as well as in poker education. He currently teaches poker classes at UCLA extension which […]

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When Should You Set Mine with a Pocket Pair? These 5 Tips Will Clear Things Up.

You call a big re-raise with pocket sevens and stare anxiously as the dealer reveals the flop… Queen… Jack… SEVEN! As soon as you see that seven, your anxiety fades and your eyes dart to count your opponent’s stack. You’re going to try to get it all. There is nothing in poker like this — […]

The post When Should You Set Mine with a Pocket Pair? These 5 Tips Will Clear Things Up. appeared first on Upswing Poker.

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[QUIZ] Phil Hellmuth Sees Poker Players as Animals. Which One Are You?

When Phil Hellmuth sees a poker player, he sees an animal (according to his book Play Poker Like the Pros). The specific animal he sees — whether it be a mouse, an eagle, or something else — is based on that player’s style. Ready to find out which animal Phil thinks you are? Take this […]

The post [QUIZ] Phil Hellmuth Sees Poker Players as Animals. Which One Are You? appeared first on Upswing Poker.

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What is Rake in Poker? And Should Rake Impact Your Poker Strategy?

What is Rake? Rake is the fee taken by the operators of a poker game. If you’ve ever played cash game poker in a casino, you’ve probably seen the dealer taking chips out of the pot during most hands — those chips are the casino’s rake. Just to state the obvious: more rake is NOT […]

The post What is Rake in Poker? And Should Rake Impact Your Poker Strategy? appeared first on Upswing Poker.

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No-Limit Texas Hold’Em Rules

For the past two decades, No-Limit Texas Hold’Em (NLHE) has increased dramatically in popularity. In addition to being a relatively easy game to learn, there is also the potential for some huge pots and exciting games. To become a big winner, however, you must have a thorough understanding of the game and No-Limit Texas Hold’Em […]

The post No-Limit Texas Hold’Em Rules appeared first on Upswing Poker.

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10 Must-See Strategy Chats from the Upswing Engage Community

When it comes to improving at poker, few things are more effective than discussing strategy with friends. For meaningful discussions about poker from all angles of the game, you need look no further than our Lab members-only group, Upswing Poker Engage. With over 3,100 members and dozens of new posts every day, it’s easy to […]

The post 10 Must-See Strategy Chats from the Upswing Engage Community appeared first on Upswing Poker.

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How to Thin Value Bet Like a Veteran Pro (3 Tips for Thin Value Betting in Poker)

Value betting is how you’ll make most of your money at the tables. This is especially true against recreational players, who tend to be on the over-calling side of the spectrum. Today I am going to share 3 tips for thin value bets that will help you squeeze every last drop of cash from your opponents. […]

The post How to Thin Value Bet Like a Veteran Pro (3 Tips for Thin Value Betting in Poker) appeared first on Upswing Poker.

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The Smart Approach to Losing Poker Sessions (3 Questions to Ask Before Quitting)

It’s tough to know when to walk away from the poker table, but sometimes it’s the most valuable skill you can have. A few days ago, I was sitting at my home in Las Vegas and suddenly felt the itch to hit the live felt. This is a rare feeling for me. But when you […]

The post The Smart Approach to Losing Poker Sessions (3 Questions to Ask Before Quitting) appeared first on Upswing Poker.

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10 Cash Game Poker Tips for Dominating the Table

Do you plan on playing a cash game anytime soon? You’re in luck! Today we’ll cover 10 fundamental tips that will help you dominate your cash game competition. You’ll learn when to bluff on the flop, how to play versus limps, and more. And make sure you stay tuned until the end for 2 bonus […]

The post 10 Cash Game Poker Tips for Dominating the Table appeared first on Upswing Poker.

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5 Can’t-Miss Insights from an Online Cash Game Juggernaut

We Lab members are truly fortunate. We get to watch a top online cash game player, Fried “mynameiskarl” Meulders, play some serious poker, and then we get to pick his brain afterward to further increase the edge we have on our opponents. But even if you aren’t a Lab member, you’re in luck because you’re […]

The post 5 Can’t-Miss Insights from an Online Cash Game Juggernaut appeared first on Upswing Poker.

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5 Tips for Staying Focused at the Poker Table

Being able to focus for extended periods of time is one of the most important skills a poker player can have. Better focus during sessions will increase your win-rate substantially, and it separates okay-to-good poker players from the great players. Giving the game your undivided attention might even be more important than figuring out your […]

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3 Strategic Mistakes to Avoid in Tournaments with Nick Petrangelo

Meet the latest elite player to join the Upswing team: Nick Petrangelo. Nick is a tournament crusher who you’ve probably seen playing the world’s biggest buy-in tournaments. He’s 30th on the all-time money list, with cashes totaling about $16,000,000. In the past 4 months alone, he’s cashed for ~$5,700,000 and won his second WSOP bracelet. […]

The post 3 Strategic Mistakes to Avoid in Tournaments with Nick Petrangelo appeared first on Upswing Poker.

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Don’t miss these POWERFEST Tips from some of the world’s best poker players

The $60 million guaranteed POWERFEST heads to partypoker from September 2nd and brings with it 670 fantastic tournaments over the course of three weeks. Tens of thousands of poker players from around the world will descend on partypoker, including many members of the Team partypoker stable. We are extremely proud of all our Team partypoker […]

The post Don’t miss these POWERFEST Tips from some of the world’s best poker players appeared first on Online poker news and updates | partypoker blog.

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Do You Defend Your Big Blind Like a Poker End Boss? – Poker Strategy Quiz

Your play from the big blind has a massive impact on your win-rate. Consequently, all of the best poker players are master defenders of the big blind. Choose the option with the highest expected value (EV). After answering each question, you will be shown the EV of each option along with an in-depth explanation so […]

The post Do You Defend Your Big Blind Like a Poker End Boss? – Poker Strategy Quiz appeared first on Upswing Poker.

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Stop Tanking: 5 Reasons Why Playing Faster Will Make You Richer & Happier

Trends in live poker seem to come and go overnight. One that hasn’t gone away yet, unfortunately, is slow play and excessive tanking. The following updated article, originally published in 2016, is a good reminder to slow players why they need play faster. — I’m angry. There was a time when No Limit Hold’em tournaments […]

The post Stop Tanking: 5 Reasons Why Playing Faster Will Make You Richer & Happier appeared first on Upswing Poker.

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How to Crush Nits (10 Tactics to Maximize Profit Against Tight Players)

A “nit” is a player with a noticeably weak playing style, and they won’t be going anywhere anytime soon. With so many nits out there, learning how to exploit them is very important for your long term win-rate. And beyond that, it’s actually pretty darn fun to exploit these players. Today we’ll discuss how to […]

The post How to Crush Nits (10 Tactics to Maximize Profit Against Tight Players) appeared first on Upswing Poker.

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6 Game-Changing Tactics from 500NL Zoom Destroyer Fried Meulders (mynameiskarl)

Upswing Lab cash game coach Fried “mynameiskarl” Meulders continues to crush 500NL Zoom ($2.5/$5) on PokerStars, the toughest game consistently running online.  His win-rate since the beginning of the year, across 250k hands, is an impressive 4.16 big blinds per 100 hands. And over the past 100k hands he’s won a staggering (and certainly unsustainable) […]

The post 6 Game-Changing Tactics from 500NL Zoom Destroyer Fried Meulders (mynameiskarl) appeared first on Upswing Poker.

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What You Must Know About PLO Poker and PLO Strategy

Considering a switch to the great game of PLO poker? Want to know everything you can about PLO strategy? Well, you’re in luck! Check out the infographic below for the basic differences between No Limit Hold’em (NLHE) and Pot Limit Omaha (PLO), and read on for an advanced explanation from PLO theory expert Tom Chambers. […]

The post What You Must Know About PLO Poker and PLO Strategy appeared first on Upswing Poker.

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How to Make the Most Profitable Decision Against Any Bet Size [2nd Edition]

Faced with a bet, you can react in one of three ways: call, fold, or raise. It’s usually pretty apparent when raising is the correct decision–with super strong hands that want to extract value and with bluffs that want to steal the pot. Whether to call or fold, on the other hand, is often not […]

The post How to Make the Most Profitable Decision Against Any Bet Size [2nd Edition] appeared first on Upswing Poker.

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Can You Crush Like OtB_RedBaron? — Advanced Poker Strategy Quiz

‘Otb_Redbaron’ is considered the best 6-max player right now, and Upswing’s own Andres Artinano (‘Educa-p0ker’) has been battling him for years. In fact, Andres built his strategy by studying the Baron’s strategy, and he has decided to share his knowledge in his advanced Crush the Baron training course. This quiz is based on the tactics and strategies revealed […]

The post Can You Crush Like OtB_RedBaron? — Advanced Poker Strategy Quiz appeared first on Upswing Poker.

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How to Use DriveHUD Tracking Database Software to Improve Your Win Rate

Believe it or not, a lot of poker players never study the game because they either don’t see the value in studying or simply don’t know how to get started. For those players in the latter group, it’s best to start with the easiest and possibly most efficient way to study poker. Using tracking software like […]

The post How to Use DriveHUD Tracking Database Software to Improve Your Win Rate appeared first on Upswing Poker.

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How to Play Poker in a Casino: 5 Valuable Tips for Live Poker Games

The average live poker game is softer than its online counterpart. The barrier for entry is much lower and many recreational players overvalue their home game experience. Improving live casino poker play can be difficult but not impossible. Take a look at these 5 tips and learn how to play poker in a casino better. […]

The post How to Play Poker in a Casino: 5 Valuable Tips for Live Poker Games appeared first on Upswing Poker.

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How to Analyze Your Poker Hands Effectively in 5 Minutes

(If Google sent you here to find out what beats what in poker, check out our guide to poker hands.) The difference between a strong player and a weak player is what they do after a poker session. Weak players play poker hands and forget about them. They put themselves in tough spots and fail […]

The post How to Analyze Your Poker Hands Effectively in 5 Minutes appeared first on Upswing Poker.

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Five Monster Series Tips From Joao Simao

Team partypoker’s Joao Simao is one of the world’s best poker tournament players. With live earnings of more than $2.1 million and online winnings of almost $7.4 million, it is safe to say Joao knows a thing or two about multi-table tournaments. So who better to give five tips for enjoying a successful Monster Series […]

The post Five Monster Series Tips From Joao Simao appeared first on Online poker news and updates | partypoker blog.

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How to Beat the Guy Who Is Always Betting — Countering an Aggressive Poker Strategy

Geez, this guy just won’t stop betting. I just need to be patient, wait for a strong hand, and then I’ll win a fat pot from him! You’ve probably thought something similar to this while facing an ultra-aggressive player. But while this line of thinking seems to make sense, a patient approach is not always […]

The post How to Beat the Guy Who Is Always Betting — Countering an Aggressive Poker Strategy appeared first on Upswing Poker.

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How to Destroy an Open Limper Like a High Stakes Pro

Think of limpers as your most valuable customers. Every time you see a player limping you should see an opportunity to take their stack–or at least a big chunk of it–in a rather short span of time. You’re about to learn how to absolutely destroy these players. Here’s what you will find in this article […]

The post How to Destroy an Open Limper Like a High Stakes Pro appeared first on Upswing Poker.

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Limps in Poker: The Ultimate Guide to Crushing Open Limpers

Think of limpers as your most valuable customers. Every time you see a player limping you should see an opportunity to take their stack — or at least a big chunk of it — in a rather short span of time. You’re about to learn how to absolutely destroy these players. Here’s what you will […]

The post Limps in Poker: The Ultimate Guide to Crushing Open Limpers appeared first on Upswing Poker.

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Check-Raise Strategy Quiz — How Much Do You Know About Check-Raising?

Do you have sweet check-raising skills? Do your opponents shake with fear before firing a c-bet? Let’s find out!  For each question, assume you have no solid reads on your opponent. And make sure you share your score at the end! Note: Just because an answer is ‘wrong’ doesn’t mean it’s a losing play. It […]

The post Check-Raise Strategy Quiz — How Much Do You Know About Check-Raising? appeared first on Upswing Poker.

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Playing Blind vs Blind — 5 Tips to Help You Stack More Chips

Sub-optimal blind vs blind play is a common leak among amateurs and professionals alike. Players often neglect this part of their game because blind versus blind situations seem relatively infrequent, but they probably happen a lot more often than you think. In this article, we’ll discuss 5 tips for improving your blind versus blind strategy. […]

The post Playing Blind vs Blind — 5 Tips to Help You Stack More Chips appeared first on Upswing Poker.

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10 Quick Poker Tips That Will Help Your Game In 5 Minutes

If you’re looking for easy to remember and quick poker tips that will help you win, you’re in luck! Today we’ve compiled 10 tactics and strategies that will make you a more confident and profitable poker player. Now, this list won’t teach you how to win every time – not even the greatest poker players […]

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How to Make $500 a Month Playing Poker

Could you use an extra $500 a month playing poker? Most people would probably answer yes to that question. And luckily it actually isn’t as difficult as you might think.

In fact, even for a mediocre poker player, with consistent play, this amount can be made fairly easily at the lowest stakes online like NL2, NL5 or NL10 or in a live poker cash game like $1/$2.

I know because I have done it

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When Should You Continue Barreling on a Brick Turn Card?

If you’ve ever been confused on the turn after c-bet-bluffing on the flop, then this article is for you. Knowing whether or not to fire that second barrel will have a huge impact on your overall results. Today I’m going to help you understand when to continue barreling and when it’s best to surrender the […]

The post When Should You Continue Barreling on a Brick Turn Card? appeared first on Upswing Poker.

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Rounders Analyzed: What Can We Learn from Mike McDermott & Teddy KGB?

What’s your favorite poker movie? And why is it Rounders? Today we’re going to analyze 3 hands played in this iconic movie. If you haven’t seen Rounders, don’t worry: you’ll still learn from the strategy talk. That said, you should stop reading if you want to avoid spoilers! The 3 hands we’ll discuss are played […]

The post Rounders Analyzed: What Can We Learn from Mike McDermott & Teddy KGB? appeared first on Upswing Poker.

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How Equity Denial Influences (Almost) Every Decision & Your Results

Equity denial underlies almost all of your decisions at the poker table, even if you don’t realize it. When understood and considered correctly, it can increase your edge in every spot and thus increase your win rate. In this article, I will explain exactly what equity denial is and how it ought to shape your […]

The post How Equity Denial Influences (Almost) Every Decision & Your Results appeared first on Upswing Poker.

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Which Draws Should You Semi-Bluff With?

Bluffing is an indispensable part of the game—as Doug likes to say, “Bluffing is life in poker.” In this article, we’ll discuss how to go about choosing hands to semi-bluff, and we’ll break down the process that every elite player uses to fine-tune this aspect of their game. What makes a good semi-bluffing hand? There […]

The post Which Draws Should You Semi-Bluff With? appeared first on Upswing Poker.

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3 Hand Histories That Highlight a Sneakily Crucial Poker Concept

With so much post-flop play, it might seem like cash games are more difficult than tournaments. The best tournament players, however, are adept at playing every street across a range of different stack depths.  In this article, we’re going to discuss stack-to-pot ratio (SPR) and how it affects post-flop play. We’ll be looking at three […]

The post 3 Hand Histories That Highlight a Sneakily Crucial Poker Concept appeared first on Upswing Poker.

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My New Poker Strategy: Less Tables, More Study and Brand Building

Let’s face it, poker has changed a lot over the years. This is especially true for the online version of the game.

I can still remember the "good old days" when I could hop on 12+ NL100 tables on PokerStars and be able to literally print money at $100+ an hour almost in my sleep.

I think I and several others thought it would last forever. This was pretty naive thinking looking back now.

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Only 20% of Poker Players Will Ace This C-Betting Quiz

Are you a c-betting-boss? We’re about to find out! For each question, assume you have no solid reads on your opponent. Some questions have more than one correct answer. Become an Expert Overbettor, Punish Your Opponents, And Print Money  Preview Doug Polk’s Overbetting module below–1 of 56 learning modules in the Upswing Lab Join us […]

The post Only 20% of Poker Players Will Ace This C-Betting Quiz appeared first on Upswing Poker.

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Only 10% of Poker Players Will Ace This C-Betting Quiz

You’re about to find out if you’re an END BOSS when it comes to c-betting on the flop versus a big blind defender. For each question, assume your opponent is a competent player against whom you have no specific reads. This quiz has been updated (originally published in June 2018). If the quiz is not […]

The post Only 10% of Poker Players Will Ace This C-Betting Quiz appeared first on Upswing Poker.

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3 Heads-Up Rules Drawn from a $20,000 Buy-In Match

Let’s talk heads-up poker! Today we dive into a $100/$200 cash game match between Doug Polk and Ben ‘Sauce123’ Sulsky–two world-class heads-up players that have faced off many times.  Doug recorded the match and analyzed every notable hand in an 11-part video series for his advanced heads-up training course. I’ve watched the first few parts of this […]

The post 3 Heads-Up Rules Drawn from a $20,000 Buy-In Match appeared first on Upswing Poker.

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3 Aggressive Tactics Winning Regulars Are Already Using

Hoping to gain insight into where good aggressive players take advantage of their opponents, I recently watched Fried “mynameiskarl” Meulders play $5/$10 Zoom in the Upswing Lab. Fried is an absolute cash game beast who crushes Zoom on PokerStars–some of the toughest poker games in the world. Here’s his results from a 100k hand sample […]

The post 3 Aggressive Tactics Winning Regulars Are Already Using appeared first on Upswing Poker.

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3 Aggressive Tactics Winning Regulars Are Already Using

Hoping to gain insight into where good aggressive players take advantage of their opponents, I recently watched Fried “mynameiskarl” Meulders play $5/$10 Zoom in the Upswing Lab. Fried is an absolute cash game beast who crushes Zoom on PokerStars–some of the toughest poker games in the world. Here’s his results from a 100k hand sample […]

The post 3 Aggressive Tactics Winning Regulars Are Already Using appeared first on Upswing Poker.

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What is a Good Poker Hourly Rate?

Last week I wrote about what is a good poker winning percentage. But something else that people often ask me is what is a good poker hourly rate.

Now as I often say, poker is not like a regular job where you can expect to just show up and earn a fixed income. In poker some months you will be up and some months you may even be down.

Yes, you heard that right. Lose money.

I don’t know of any

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7 Tips You Can Learn from 1 High Stakes Online Poker Hand

Have you ever wondered what the end bosses of poker are doing that makes them so much better than everyone else? If you’re like me, then you most certainly have. Lucky for us the end bosses at Upswing listen to what the people want, and have dedicated an entire Upswing Lab module to breaking down hands […]

The post 7 Tips You Can Learn from 1 High Stakes Online Poker Hand appeared first on Upswing Poker.

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2018 World Series of Poker Schedule – Highlights and Breakdown

SCOOP and Power Fest have come to a close online, which means it’s time once again to forget your sweatshirt (because it’s 115 degrees outside) only to shell out $40 for a new one once you sit down and think to yourself… “Are we playing poker on top of an ice rink?”   No, friend. […]

The post 2018 World Series of Poker Schedule – Highlights and Breakdown appeared first on Upswing Poker.

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3 Can’t-Miss Lessons from a $12,895 Tournament Score

‘A fool thinks himself to be wise, but a wise man knows himself to be a fool.’ It takes a certain kind of wisdom to gain and maintain success at the poker table. Since poker isn’t a solved game, there’s always room to improve. The most successful players understand and respect this fact, but to […]

The post 3 Can’t-Miss Lessons from a $12,895 Tournament Score appeared first on Upswing Poker.

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Strategy from Kristen Bicknell: Transitioning from cash games to tournaments

Team partypoker’s Kristen Bicknell used to be better-known for her cash game prowess, but now she crushes the biggest online and live tournaments. Here are her tips for making the transition from cash games to tournament poker. Most of my time at the poker table has been spent playing cash games, until recently. In the […]

The post Strategy from Kristen Bicknell: Transitioning from cash games to tournaments appeared first on Online poker news and updates | partypoker blog.

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When to Cash Out in Poker (5 Step Strategy Guide)

Knowing when to cash out in poker is almost as important as having the right bankroll. Much like you can’t out-train a bad diet, you can’t out-play a bad poker cash out strategy.

People who do not know when to cash out often end up harming their progress at the poker tables considerably. So it is vitally important that as a winning poker player you understand exactly when and why you should be

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If You Get 8/10 On This 3-Bet Pot Quiz, You’re a Shark

How competent are you at playing 3-bet pots as the defender? Take your time and think carefully, because these 10 questions are tough. For each question, assume that you have no information about your opponent. And be sure to share your results at the end. Best of luck!  Note: Everything on upswingpoker.com is 25% off […]

The post If You Get 8/10 On This 3-Bet Pot Quiz, You’re a Shark appeared first on Upswing Poker.

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Give the Gift of Poker Strategy and Save 25% (Christmas Sale)

Christmas is a time for giving and saving on upswingpoker.com! Everything on the site is 25% off from now until December 28th, including all premium training courses. Take this quick quiz to find out which course is best for your poker playing needs, or keep scrolling for a breakdown of each course. What game do […]

The post Give the Gift of Poker Strategy and Save 25% (Christmas Sale) appeared first on Upswing Poker.

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Final Table Poker Strategy: The #1 Biggest Mistake to Avoid

With steep pay jumps and top-heavy payout structures, the final table of any poker tournament is where big money is earned or burned. In this article, we’ll look closely at the biggest mistake made at final tables: overly tight/passive play. Along the way, we’ll have real-world examples to discuss from live tournaments, along with key […]

The post Final Table Poker Strategy: The #1 Biggest Mistake to Avoid appeared first on Upswing Poker.

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3 Quick Poker Tips from a Cash Game Session with Doug Polk

There’s something to learn from every video in the Upswing Lab. The same is true for the following Doug Polk Play & Explain session, in which he battled across 4 tables at mid-stakes on America’s Card Room. In this article, I’d like to share 3 of the best poker tips that I learned from watching […]

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How to Play Low Pocket Pairs in Cash Games

Get in cheap, try to flop a set, and hope your opponent pays you off. This oversimplified approach is probably how most of you play your low pocket pairs. It’s a fairly valid approach, but it’s incomplete. Unless you want to leak money with your low pocket pairs, you’d be wise to employ a more […]

The post How to Play Low Pocket Pairs in Cash Games appeared first on Upswing Poker.

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The Ultimate Poker Cheat Sheet for 2018

Learning how to play consistent winning poker isn’t always so easy these days. So that is why I decided to put together this ultimate poker cheat sheet for 2018.

This guide below is going to give you everything that you need to know in order to start winning big right now at the lowest stakes online (NL2 or NL5) and live ($1/$2 or $2/$5).

Let me be clear that this guide is NOT going to turn

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How to Squeeze Max Value from Juicy Live Tournaments

Live poker tournaments have much softer fields than online tournaments. The Big $109 on PokerStars, for example, is a tougher tournament than many WSOP $1,500 events. This difference in player quality presents many factors that aren’t present online. In order to maximize our winnings in live tournaments, we must understand and adjust for these factors. […]

The post How to Squeeze Max Value from Juicy Live Tournaments appeared first on Upswing Poker.

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Team partypoker’s Natalia Breviglieri’s tips for succeeding in satellites

Team partypoker’s Natalia “N4talB” Breviglieri gives here tips for partypoker blog readers who want to take their satellite game to the next level. With the Monster Series starting in Jul. 29 and the $60 million guaranteed POWERFEST just around the corner, playing satellites can be a great way to give your bankroll a big boost. […]

The post Team partypoker’s Natalia Breviglieri’s tips for succeeding in satellites appeared first on Online poker news and updates | partypoker blog.

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Floating Strategy | The Complete Guide

What is floating? Floating is a must-have weapon for every aspiring poker crusher. It’s an advanced play, however, which entails calling with a weak hand on the flop in order to win the pot on a later street by either showing down or bluffing an opponent. The main reason floating is such an effective weapon […]

The post Floating Strategy | The Complete Guide appeared first on Upswing Poker.

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Stop Fearing Triple Barrels with this Professional Approach

Let’s be honest: we all sigh when an opponent fires that dreadful triple barrel, putting us to the test both technically and mentally. A triple barrel is when a player bets on the river after betting on the flop and turn. There is a deeply embedded fear in most players that their opponents are not […]

The post Stop Fearing Triple Barrels with this Professional Approach appeared first on Upswing Poker.

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Five tips for low stakes MTT players for building a bankroll

Team partypoker’s Louise “lou045” Butler has won more than $450,000 from online poker tournaments and is currently ranked eighth in the Irish online poker rankings, according to PocketFives.com. Louise has penned this poker strategy article to give you five tips on how to build a bankroll if you a a low stakes tournament player, which […]

The post Five tips for low stakes MTT players for building a bankroll appeared first on Online poker news and updates | partypoker blog.

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Pot Limit Omaha Strategy Quiz – Only a PLO Expert Will Score 9/10

Ready to put your Pot Limit Omaha skills to the test?  These 10 quiz questions are based on cutting-edge PLO solver research, and many of the correct answers are only slightly better than the other options. When you get a question correct, make a note and share your total score at the end. Only a true […]

The post Pot Limit Omaha Strategy Quiz – Only a PLO Expert Will Score 9/10 appeared first on Upswing Poker.

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Pot Limit Omaha Strategy Quiz – Only a PLO Expert Will Score 9/10

Ready to put your Pot Limit Omaha preflop skills to the test? The answers to these 7 quiz questions are based on what cutting-edge PLO solvers would do in each situation. Only a true Pot Limit Omaha expert will get 6 or more correct. Assume you are 100BB deep in each situation unless otherwise noted. Good […]

The post Pot Limit Omaha Strategy Quiz – Only a PLO Expert Will Score 9/10 appeared first on Upswing Poker.

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How to Check-Raise on the River Like a Pro

It’s difficult to play out-of-position as the preflop caller. In this scenario our opponent, the preflop raiser, has both a range advantage and a positional advantage. However, we can still implement a well-thought-out check raising strategy, which will hinder our opponent’s ability to bet thinly for value and bluff. How important is check-raising? To demonstrate […]

The post How to Check-Raise on the River Like a Pro appeared first on Upswing Poker.

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How to Check-Raise on the River Like a Pro

It’s difficult to play out-of-position as the preflop caller. In this scenario our opponent, the preflop raiser, has both a range advantage and a positional advantage. However, we can still implement a well-thought-out check raising strategy, which will hinder our opponent’s ability to bet thinly for value and bluff. How important is check-raising? To demonstrate […]

The post How to Check-Raise on the River Like a Pro appeared first on Upswing Poker.

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4 Insights from 11 Years, 70,567 MTTs, and 6,304,190 Hands of Poker

I’ve written poker strategy at Upswing for the past year and a half. During this time I’ve mostly covered specific topics – like bounty MTTs, blind defense, and staking. I strongly believe that working on just one area of your game at a time is the best way to improve, but as someone who’s mentored and […]

The post 4 Insights from 11 Years, 70,567 MTTs, and 6,304,190 Hands of Poker appeared first on Upswing Poker.

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How to Destroy Your Opponent After Seeing One Showdown

Sometimes it takes just one showdown for a great poker player to change their game plan and start crushing opponents. In this article I will teach you how to start thinking like a truly great player when it comes to making these immediate adjustments. You will first be presented with three hand examples that reach […]

The post How to Destroy Your Opponent After Seeing One Showdown appeared first on Upswing Poker.

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Poker Bankroll Management Tips & Tools That Work In 2018

Part of becoming a great player is establishing proper poker bankroll management principles. Not only do you need to be skilled to be a great player, you also need discipline and money management abilities. Top players go broke sometimes. Even Upswing’s own Doug Polk once felt he’d reached the end of his rope. But what makes […]

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