PokerHomework - Free Poker Study Guide

📊 Preflop Ranges & Strategy

Position-Based Opening Ranges (9-handed Live)

UTG / UTG+1 (Tightest)

Raise: AA-77, AKs-ATs, KQs, AKo-AQo

~10-12% of hands. Be tight - 8 players behind you.

Middle Position (MP / LJ)

Raise: AA-55, AKs-A9s, KQs-KTs, QJs-QTs, JTs, AKo-ATo, KQo

~15-18% of hands. Add suited connectors, more broadways.

Hijack (HJ)

Raise: AA-22, AKs-A2s, KQs-K9s, QJs-Q9s, JTs-J9s, T9s-98s, AKo-A9o, KQo-KJo

~22-25% of hands. Getting wider, but still selective.

Cutoff (CO)

Raise: All pairs, all suited aces, suited kings to K5s, suited connectors/gappers 54s+, suited broadways, offsuit broadways ATo+, KJo+

~28-32% of hands. Very profitable position.

Button (BTN) - Most Profitable Position

Raise: All pairs, all suited aces, all suited kings, most suited queens, all suited connectors, most offsuit broadways

~40-50% of hands. You always act last postflop!

Small Blind (SB)

vs Limpers: Raise strong hands to isolate, complete with suited connectors

vs Raise: 3-bet or fold most hands, calling is usually bad OOP

Big Blind (BB)

Defense: You get great odds. Defend wider vs late position, tighter vs early position.

Live Poker Adjustments

💡 Open Larger: Standard online is 2.5-3x. Live, use 4-5x + 1BB per limper. Players call more.

💡 Isolate Limpers: When players limp, raise to 4-5x + 1 per limper. Attack their weak ranges.

💡 Respect 3-Bets: Live 3-bets usually mean QQ+, AK. Fold hands like JJ, AQo to tight 3-bettors.

💡 Table Dynamics: If table is super loose, tighten up. If tight, steal more blinds.

3-Betting Strategy

Value 3-Bets (vs Any Position)

AA, KK, QQ, AKs, AKo - always 3-bet for value

JJ, AQs - 3-bet vs late position opens, flat vs early position

Bluff 3-Bets (Primarily from BTN/SB)

A5s-A2s: Blocker to AA, good playability, can make nuts

76s, 65s, 54s: Make straights, hard to put you on these

K9s, Q9s: Suited high cards with some equity

⚠️ Bluff 3-bets are highly recommended when playing deep stacks (200-300BB+). At 100BB vs recreationals, you often don't need to bluff 3-bet - pots are already inflated with larger open sizes and multiway action. Just wait for value hands.

3-Bet Sizing

In Position: 3x the open raise

Out of Position: 3.5-4x the open raise

Live: Go even bigger - 4-5x works well

📚 Postflop Strategy Deep Dive

C-Betting (Continuation Betting)

A c-bet is betting on the flop after you raised preflop. It's profitable because you have the perceived range advantage.

Heads-Up Pots (2 Players)

Board Type	Example	C-Bet Freq	Size	Why
Dry/Static	K♠7♥2♦	70-80%	25-33%	Few draws, small bets work
Medium	Q♠J♥4♦	50-60%	50-66%	Some draws, need protection
Wet/Dynamic	J♠T♠8♥	35-45%	66-80%	Many draws, charge them!
Ace-High	A♠9♥3♦	40-50%	25-33%	Recreationals play more Ax than you - they're not folding

Multiway Pots (3+ Players)

⚠️ C-bet MUCH less in multiway pots - especially out of position!

Out of Position (OOP):

C-bet very rarely - you're at a huge disadvantage
When you do bet, use small sizing (25-33% pot)
Mostly check and let IP players make mistakes

In Position (IP):

Use small sizing (25-33% pot) as default
CAN bet medium strength hands or hands needing protection for small
Exploitatively use bigger sizing on boards where they have lots of calling hands

💡 Recreationals massively underbluff multiway - you can manipulate pot size however you want when IP. Bet small for thin value, check back to control pot, or bomb it when you're nutted.

Turn Strategy

When You Bet Flop and Get Called

Barrel for value: Strong hands that want to build a pot
Barrel as bluff: When turn improves your range or adds equity (scare cards, flush/straight draws)
Check: Medium strength hands - pot control, induce bluffs

Turn Sizing

Bluffing: Use a BIG size (75-120% pot) to condense their range. This forces out marginal hands and lets you give up on river if called.

Value: Use a custom size - the BIGGEST bet you think will get called. Against calling stations, go big. Against tighter players, size down to keep them in.

💡 Don't use the same size for value and bluffs. Bluff big to fold out, value bet what they'll call.

River Strategy

River is the simplest street - no more cards to come.

Value Betting the River

💡 Recreationals are calling stations - go for thin value constantly!

Use the BIGGEST size you think will get called
Value bet thinner than you would online - top pair is often good
Against stations, you can value bet hands you'd normally check
Adjust sizing based on opponent - some call any size, others need a "cheap" price

Bluffing the River

⚠️ Bluffing the river is NOT recommended vs recreationals. They overcall massively.

As a general rule: don't bluff the river unless you're experienced.

However, there ARE spots where river bluffs work:

Many turn calling hands (pair + draw) missed and will now fold
River card shifts equity heavily in your favor (4th flush card, scary straight complete)
Opponent plays leads on river but checked - they're capped and weak

These spots are advanced. Until you're experienced at reading these situations, just check back your missed draws and move on.

Playing Without Initiative (You Didn't Raise Preflop)

Check-Raising

For value: Sets, two pair on wet boards
As bluff: Strong draws (flush + straight)
Size: 3-3.5x the bet you're raising

Donk Betting (Betting Into Raiser)

Usually not recommended, but works on boards that favor your range:

Low connected boards when you defended from blinds (765, 543)
When you flop a monster and want to build pot

🧮 Poker Math Essentials

Pot Odds

Formula: Call Amount ÷ (Pot + Call Amount) = Required Equity

Example: Pot is $100, opponent bets $50
You must call $50 to win $150 (pot + bet)
Pot odds = $50 ÷ $150 = 33%
You need 33% equity to break even on a call

Quick Pot Odds Reference

Bet Size	Pot Odds	Equity Needed
25% pot	5:1	17%
33% pot	4:1	20%
50% pot	3:1	25%
66% pot	2.5:1	28%
75% pot	2.3:1	30%
100% pot	2:1	33%
150% pot	1.67:1	37%
200% pot	1.5:1	40%

Rule of 2 and 4 (Counting Outs)

Flop to River (2 cards): Outs × 4 = Approx Equity %
Turn to River (1 card): Outs × 2 = Approx Equity %

Common Draws & Outs

Draw Type	Outs	Flop→River	Turn→River
Flush draw	9	36%	18%
Open-ended straight	8	32%	16%
Gutshot straight	4	16%	8%
Two overcards	6	24%	12%
Flush + gutshot	12	45%	24%
Flush + OESD	15	54%	30%
Set to full house	7	28%	14%
Two pair to FH	4	16%	8%

Implied Odds

The extra money you expect to win on future streets if you hit your draw.

💡 Against deep stacks with hidden draws (sets, straights), implied odds are huge!

Good implied odds: Set mining, suited connectors, hidden draws

Bad implied odds: Obvious draws (4-flush on board), reverse implied odds

Minimum Defense Frequency (MDF)

How often you need to continue to prevent opponent from profitably bluffing.

Formula: MDF = Pot Size ÷ (Pot Size + Bet Size)

Bet Size	MDF
33% pot	75%
50% pot	67%
75% pot	57%
100% pot	50%

⚠️ MDF is theory. Live, players underbluff - you can fold more than MDF suggests. If your opponent never bluffs with a 33% pot bet on the river (most recreational players don't), then ignore MDF entirely - never call with bluff catchers or turn them into bluffs. Just fold and wait for a better spot.

SPR (Stack-to-Pot Ratio)

Formula: Effective Stack ÷ Pot Size (on flop)

Low SPR (0-4): Commit with top pair+, less folding
Medium SPR (4-10): Need two pair+ to stack off
High SPR (10+): Be cautious, need strong hands

🃏 Hand Reading Mastery

The Process

Preflop: Assign a range based on position and action
Flop: Narrow based on their action
Turn: Narrow further
River: Their range should be very defined

Step 1: Preflop Range Assignment

Action	Typical Range
UTG open	Top 10-12% (77+, ATs+, KQs, AQo+)
MP open	Top 15-18%
CO open	Top 25-30%
BTN open	Top 40-50%
SB open	Top 35-45%
Limp	Weak range - small pairs, suited connectors, weak aces
3-bet (live)	Usually QQ+, AK. Sometimes JJ, AQs
Cold call 3-bet	Usually medium pairs, suited connectors

Step 2: Narrowing on the Flop

They C-Bet

Value hands (top pair+)
Draws (flush draws, straight draws)
Air (complete misses as bluffs)

They Check

Weak made hands (bottom pair, ace high)
Give-ups (missed completely)
Traps (strong hands slowplaying) - rare in live

They Raise Your C-Bet

Very strong (sets, two pair)
Strong draws (combo draws)
Bluffs - rare in live, especially vs aggression

Common Betting Lines & Meanings

Line	Usually Means
Bet-Bet-Bet (3 barrels)	Very strong OR big bluff (polarized)
Bet-Bet-Check	Medium strength, afraid of raise
Bet-Check-Bet	Pot control then value, or turned draw
Check-Raise Flop	Strong hand or big draw
Check-Call, Check-Raise Turn	Slowplayed monster
Overbet River	Polarized: Absolute nuts or total air
Min-bet River	Weak hand wanting cheap showdown, or trap

Live Player Tendencies by Type

The Nit (Very Tight)

Only plays premium hands
Folds to aggression unless they have it
Exploit: Steal their blinds, fold to their raises

The Calling Station

Calls with anything - any pair, any draw, ace high
Rarely raises, just calls
Exploit: Value bet relentlessly, NEVER bluff

The Maniac

Bets and raises constantly
High aggression, plays many hands
Exploit: Tighten up, trap with strong hands, let them bluff off

The TAG (Tight-Aggressive)

Plays few hands, but aggressive when they do
The hardest to exploit - good player
Exploit: Fight for position, 3-bet light sometimes

💻 Advanced Concepts

Bet Sizing Theory

Geometric Sizing

When you want to get all-in by the river, use bets that "geometrically" build the pot.

Example: 100bb stacks, 6bb pot on flop
To get stacks in: ~60% pot on flop, ~75% pot on turn, all-in river

Board Texture Sizing

Board Type	Size	Reason
Dry (K72r)	25-33%	Few draws, cheap bluffs work
Medium (QJ4)	50-66%	Some draws, need protection
Wet (JT9ss)	66-80%	Many draws, charge maximum
Paired (KK4)	25-33%	You have range advantage

Overbetting (>100% pot)

Use when:

Your range can have the nuts, theirs can't (they're "capped")
Polarized spots - you either have it or you're bluffing
You hold blockers to their calling range

💡 Against recreationals, overbetting works best as a BLUFF. They massively overfold to overbets - the big size scares them. For value, use a size they'll actually call.

Blockers

Cards you hold that reduce combinations of hands your opponent can have.

⚠️ Blockers have very low relevancy vs recreationals. Nice to think about, but don't overweight them in your decisions.

Bluffing with Blockers

Nut flush blocker: You have A♠, board has 3 spades - opponent can't have nut flush
Straight blockers: You have the T on a 987 board
Pair blockers: You have AA on Axx board - hard for them to have top set

Calling with Blockers

Block their value: Holding a J on JT9 board blocks their straights
Unblock their bluffs: Don't hold missed draws they'd bluff with

GTO vs Exploitative Play

GTO (Game Theory Optimal)

Balanced strategy that can't be exploited
Uses mixed strategies (bet 60%, check 40%)
Best vs strong, unknown opponents

Exploitative

Deviates from balance to exploit opponent leaks
Vs calling station: Never bluff, value bet thin
Vs nit: Bluff more, fold to their aggression
Best vs weak, known opponents (most live games!)

💡 In live poker, exploitative play IS more profitable than GTO.

Range Advantage vs Nut Advantage

Range advantage: Your overall range is stronger on this board
Nut advantage: You can have more of the very best hands

Board: A♠K♥7♦
Preflop raiser has RANGE advantage (more Ax, Kx hands)
Board: 7♠6♥5♦
BB caller might have NUT advantage (more 98, 43, 77, 66, 55)

Protection & Equity Denial

Betting to prevent opponents from realizing equity with their draws.

Even if opponent folds worse, denying their equity can be +EV
More important on wet boards with many draws
Less important on dry boards

☕ Live Poker Tells & Tips

Mike Caro's Fundamental Law

💡 "Strong means weak, weak means strong" - Players act opposite to their hand strength.

Physical Tells

Signs of Strength

Shaking hands: Adrenaline from big hand - VERY strong
Looking away: Disinterest is an act - they have it
Stacking chips: Preparing for a big pot
Quick call: Often a draw or medium hand (strong would raise)
Relaxed posture: Comfortable = confident in hand
Fluid movements: Not tense, has a good hand

Signs of Weakness

Staring at you: Trying to intimidate = weak/bluffing
Reaching for chips early: Trying to scare you from betting
Acting strong: Forceful chip movements, verbal aggression
Holding breath: Nervous about bluff being called
Talking a lot: Often trying to distract from weak hand
Freeze: Sudden stillness often indicates bluffing

Timing Tells

Snap call: Medium hand - strong would raise, weak would fold
Long pause then bet: Usually strong (thinking about sizing)
Long pause then call: Weak call, barely getting odds
Snap bet/raise: Often weak (hadn't thought it through)

Verbal Tells

"I guess I'll call": Usually has a strong hand
"You got it": Often strong - feigning weakness
Goading ("I dare you to call"): Usually strong
Naming a hand ("Do you have a flush?"): Usually doesn't have it themselves

Table Selection

💡 Game selection is your biggest edge in live poker!

Good signs: Laughing, drinking, friendly chat, limping
Bad signs: Young players in hoodies, headphones, silence
Best times: Friday/Saturday nights, holidays
Check the pot sizes: Big pots = action game

Seat Selection

Position on fish: Sit to their LEFT (you act after them)
Position on good regs: Sit to their RIGHT (they act after you less)
Change seats: Don't be afraid to move if a better seat opens

Table Image

If you've been caught bluffing: Value bet more, bluff less
If you've shown strong hands: Bluff more, they'll give respect
If you're new to table: Play tight, establish solid image

Etiquette

✅ Act in turn, don't slowroll, tip dealers
✅ Be friendly - don't tap the glass (berate bad players)
✅ Protect your cards, announce raises clearly
❌ Don't angle shoot, don't splash the pot

📖 Common Spots & Lines

Playing Pocket Pairs

Big Pairs (AA, KK, QQ)

Always raise/3-bet preflop - build the pot
Don't slowplay - too many bad runouts
Bet for value on most boards
Be willing to get stacks in preflop (100bb)

Medium Pairs (JJ, TT, 99)

Raise preflop, but be careful vs 3-bets
JJ vs tight 3-bet = often a fold or call (not 4-bet)
Play cautiously on A/K high boards
Comfortable stacking off with an overpair on low boards

Small Pairs (88-22)

Goal: Set mine (hit a set ~12% of the time)
Need ~15:1 implied odds to call profitably
Great in multiway pots with deep stacks
If you don't hit a set, be ready to fold

Set Mining Math:
You hit a set ~1 in 8 times
If you call $10 preflop, you need to win ~$80 when you hit
With 100bb stacks, set mining is very profitable!

Playing AK

Always raise/3-bet preflop
C-bet most flops (even when you miss)
When you flop top pair: Value bet 3 streets vs calling stations
When you miss: Can fire 1-2 barrels, give up on dangerous runouts
AK is a drawing hand preflop - don't fall in love unimproved

Playing Suited Connectors (87s, 76s, 65s)

Best in position with deep stacks
Great for multiway pots
Look to flop draws, two pairs, straights
Don't overplay one pair hands
Be willing to give up if you miss

Playing Draws

Flush Draws

Nut flush draws: Bet/raise aggressively (semi-bluff)
Non-nut flush draws: Be careful, you can lose to higher flush
Flush completes: Often bet small for thin value or check back

Straight Draws

Open-ended (8 outs): Can semi-bluff or call
Gutshot (4 outs): Usually need implied odds or fold
Double gutter (8 outs): Same as OESD, often disguised

Combo Draws (Flush + Straight)

12-15+ outs = often favorite vs made hands!
Play VERY aggressively - raise and re-raise
Can often get stacks in on the flop profitably

Common Mistakes to Avoid

❌ Going broke with TPTK on wet boards (top pair top kicker isn't that strong)
❌ Bluffing calling stations (they will call you down)
❌ Not value betting thin enough (live players call light!)
❌ Playing too many hands out of position
❌ Slowplaying strong hands (build the pot!)
❌ Calling 3-bets with weak hands OOP
❌ Limping in early position

🗄️ Bankroll & Mental Game

Bankroll Requirements

Stakes	Buy-In	Bankroll (Recreational)	Bankroll (Serious)
$1/$2	$200-$300	$2,000-$3,000	$4,000-$6,000
$1/$3	$300-$500	$3,000-$5,000	$6,000-$10,000
$2/$5	$500-$1,000	$5,000-$10,000	$10,000-$20,000
$5/$10	$1,000-$2,000	$15,000-$25,000	$25,000-$50,000

Moving Up Stakes

Have 20-30 buy-ins for the next level
Be winning at your current stake first
Take shots when you have 25+ buy-ins
Move back down if you lose 5-10 buy-ins

Understanding Variance

💡 Even winning players have big downswings. It's math, not personal.

5-10 buy-in downswings are NORMAL
20+ buy-in downswings happen to winners
Focus on making good decisions, not results
Track your hands/hours to see long-term results

Session Management

Stop-loss: Set a max loss (2-3 buy-ins) before playing
Stop-win: Consider it if the game gets tough
Time limit: Don't play exhausted, take breaks every 2 hours
Quit while ahead? Only if the game is bad or you're tired

Tilt Management

Types of Tilt

Injustice tilt: "I deserved to win that hand!"
Revenge tilt: Wanting to beat a specific player
Entitlement tilt: "I'm better than these players!"
Desperation tilt: Trying to win back losses fast

Signs You're Tilting

Playing hands you normally wouldn't
Calling when you know you're beat
Making bigger bets to "win it back"
Feeling angry or frustrated

How to Combat Tilt

Recognize it early - have self-awareness
Take a walk, get food, take a break
Focus on decisions, not results
Accept that bad beats are part of poker
Quit if you can't shake it

Improving Your Game

📚 Books: Harrington on Hold'em, The Mental Game of Poker, Applications of NLHE
📊 Software: Equilab (free equity calculator), Flopzilla, GTO Wizard
📝 Review: Keep notes on tough hands, review biggest losses
🎥 Training: Upswing Poker, Run It Once, Jonathan Little
👥 Community: Find poker friends to discuss hands with

Record Keeping

Track every session:

Date, casino, game type, stakes
Hours played
Profit/loss
Notes on interesting hands or players

💡 Use an app like Poker Bankroll Tracker or a simple spreadsheet.

📚 Middle Stage Strategy

The Transition (25-50 BB)

Stacks shrink, antes kick in, dynamics change significantly.

Key Adjustments

Stealing Becomes Valuable: Blinds + antes add up fast
Open Wider from Late Position: Antes justify more steals
Apply Pressure to Medium Stacks: They can't fight back easily
3-Bet Lighter: Against loose openers in late position
Defend Your Big Blind More: You get great odds at shorter depths

Daniel Negreanu's Middle Stage Tips

Be mindful of stack sizes, especially short stacks at your table
Avoid tangling with other big stacks unless you have it
In the "danger zone" (12-20bb): Fold or shove, rarely min-raise

Stack Size Awareness

Stack	Strategy
40+ BB	Full poker - all options open
25-40 BB	Tighten up vs 3-bets, look for reshove spots
15-25 BB	Danger zone - shove or fold most hands
10-15 BB	Pure push/fold territory

Blind Defense by Stack Depth

From Nick Petrangelo's course - you can defend LOOSER at shorter depths:

💡 Counter-intuitive: Being able to easily realize equity makes a big difference! At 20bb you can defend wider than at 100bb because decisions are simpler.

Building Your Image

Use early levels to build a tight image, then exploit it in middle stages:

If you've been tight, your raises get more respect
Start stealing when antes kick in
Your 3-bets will get folds from medium stacks

🧮 ICM Math & Calculations

What is ICM?

Independent Chip Model - Converts tournament chips to real dollar value.

💡 Chips won are NEVER worth as much as chips lost in tournaments. The risk of losing > reward of winning the same amount.

Why ICM Matters

Tournament chips don't equal cash game chips
Doubling your stack doesn't double your equity
Going bust = losing ALL your equity instantly
Pay jumps create "mini-bubbles" throughout

When ICM Matters Most

Situation	ICM Impact
Money Bubble	HIGHEST - $0 to min-cash is infinite % jump
Final Table Bubble	Very High - massive pay jumps
Final Table	High - each elimination = big $ jump
Early/Middle	Low - play closer to chip EV

Bubble Factor

Measures how chip odds differ from dollar odds. Higher = tighter play needed.

Low Bubble Factor: Play close to normal
High Bubble Factor: Fold strong hands, avoid marginal spots
Extreme (Satellites): Can fold AA when short stacks exist!

ICM by Stack Size

Your Stack	ICM Strategy
Short (5-12bb)	Low bubble factor - must gamble to survive. Shove good hands.
Medium (15-30bb)	HIGH bubble factor - avoid marginal spots. Survival valuable.
Big (40bb+)	Apply pressure. You can bust others without risking your tournament.

Practical ICM Adjustments

From PokerCoaching: "When ICM pressure is significant, big bets become small bets, small bets become checks. You need to be higher in your range to fight back."

ICM Tools

Use these to study: ICMIZER, HRC (Holdem Resources Calculator), GTO Wizard

📦 Bubble Play Strategy

What is "The Bubble"?

When one or few eliminations remain until the money. Players do things on the bubble they don't do at any other stage.

Stack Geometry on the Bubble

Your Stack	Strategy
Short (5-10bb)	MUST gamble. Your fold equity is your friend. Shove decent hands - survival by folding isn't sustainable.
Medium (15-25bb)	AVOID marginal spots. Survival has huge value. Fold solid hands to big stacks.
Big (40bb+)	APPLY MAXIMUM PRESSURE. Raise wide, bully medium stacks mercilessly. They can't fight back.

Exploiting the Bubble

💡 SplitSuit: "Amateur players are overly cautious on the bubble, placing huge emphasis on just getting paid. This creates prime-time for serious chip accumulation."

Signs of Scared Money

Players tanking every decision (online)
Sudden tightness from previously loose players
Only playing premium hands
Avoiding confrontation at all costs

Big Stack Bubble Abuse

Open wider - medium stacks can't defend
3-bet light against other big stacks stealing
Put maximum pressure on 15-25bb stacks
Be willing to call short stack shoves wider

Short Stack Survival

Don't blind away waiting for premiums
Look for spots with fold equity
Shove over limpers with decent hands
Target other short stacks who might fold

Critical Truth

Short stacks should seek spots to gamble with reasonable equity

Medium stacks should avoid marginal confrontations

Big stacks should exploit both situations

⚠️ Hand-for-hand play: All tables complete hands before next one. Abuse this by raising more!

🔥 Final Table Strategy

The Mindset

💡 Key Insight: "Money is weighted heavily toward top 3. Aim to WIN, not just ladder up. Top players have a winning mindset." - 888poker

Post-Bubble Dynamic Shift

Daniel Negreanu: "Past the bubble, the entire dynamic shifts. Short stacks open up their game. They'll shove A7 now because there's less at risk. Big stack leverage disappears."

Final Table Adjustments

Situation	Adjustment
Pay jumps are huge	ICM matters more - tighten calling ranges
Short stacks loosen up	Call their shoves tighter than before bubble
Identifying player types	Who's "playing to win" vs "laddering up"?

Player Types to Identify

Playing to Win: Will gamble for chips. Only bet big with premiums against them.
Laddering Up: Just wants next pay jump. Attack them relentlessly.
Scared Money: Making ridiculous tight folds. Steal everything.

The Biggest Final Table Mistake

⚠️ Playing too tight/passive! Survival-focused play leads to 8th, 9th, 10th place finishes. "The biggest mistake is overly tight/passive play." - Upswing Poker

Heads-Up Preparation

The jump from 2nd to 1st can be MASSIVE (often 50%+ of remaining prize pool).

Doug Polk's Heads-Up Stats

VPIP 72% from BB, 90% from SB
Ranges are MUCH wider than 9-handed
Call down with marginal hands
ICM goes out the window - it's a death match

💡 Practice heads-up in advance! Many tournament players are weak HU. This is where you make real money.

Deal Making

When stacks are shallow and variance is high, consider ICM chops. Don't let ego cost you equity!

☂️ Push/Fold Charts

When to Use Push/Fold

Below 15bb, your options narrow. Below 10bb, it's often pure push or fold.

10BB Push Ranges by Position (No ICM)

Position	Push Range	% of Hands
UTG	44+, A4s+, K9s+, QTs+, A9o+, KJo+	~17%
UTG+1	33+, A2s+, K9s+, Q9s+, A9o+, KJo+	~20%
HJ	22+, A2s+, K9s+, Q9s+, J9s+, A3o+, KTo+	~28%
CO	22+, A2s+, K6s+, Q8s+, J8s+, A2o+, KTo+	~32%
BTN	22+, A2s+, K2s+, Q5s+, J6s+, A2o+, K7o+	~39%
SB	22+, A2s+, K2s+, Q2s+, J2s+, T2s+, most offsuit	~78%

Factors That Affect Ranges

Stack Depth: Wider when shorter, tighter with more BB
Effective Stack: You only play for the smallest stack!
Ante Size: Bigger antes = wider shoves
ICM Pressure: Tighter near bubbles
Opponent Types: Wider vs tight folders, tighter vs calling stations

15BB Adjustments

At 15bb, you can sometimes min-raise instead of shoving:

Strong hands: Can raise to induce action
Weaker hands: Shove to maximize fold equity
Be careful: Min-raise/fold is expensive at this depth

ICM Push/Fold Modifications

⚠️ Near the bubble: Tighten early position shoves when covered by big stacks. Keep/widen late position shoves when short and folded to.

Calling Shoves

Situation	Calling Range
Short stack shoves 5bb	Very wide - any pair, A5o+, K9s+
Medium stack shoves 12bb	Tighter - 77+, AJo+, ATs+
Near bubble (you have medium stack)	VERY tight - TT+, AK only sometimes

Tools to Study

Nash calculators, ICMIZER, SnapShove app, HRC

💡 Jonathan Little: "Knowing which hands to shove and call is what generates long-term profit. Success in push/fold is NOT just luck."

🏄 PKO Tournament Strategy

How PKOs Work

Progressive Knockout: Half buy-in → prize pool, half → your bounty.

Bust someone: Get 50% of their bounty immediately
Other 50% adds to YOUR bounty
Bounties grow progressively - huge targets late!

The Golden Rule of PKOs

💡 You can ONLY win bounties when you COVER your opponent. This changes everything!

PKO Adjustments

Situation	Adjustment
You cover opponent	Play WIDER - bounty adds value to calls
Opponent covers you	Play TIGHTER - you can't win their bounty
Big bounty on opponent	Call much wider, even marginal hands
Big bounty on YOU	Expect wider calls - bluff less, value bet more

Bounty Ratio (LearnWPT)

Compare bounties to starting stacks:

High ratio: Make big deviations to bust them
Low ratio: Play like regular tournament
Higher ratio = larger equity discount for calling

Stage-by-Stage PKO Strategy

Early Stage

Bounties are small. Play similar to regular MTT. Don't chase $5 bounties and bust.

Mid/Late Stage

Bounties are HUGE. Justify very loose all-ins when you cover short stacks with big bounties.

Critical PKO Mistakes

⚠️ Never late register PKOs - you miss bounty equity!

⚠️ Don't ignore that opponents call YOU wider (for your bounty)

⚠️ Bluff less - people call with anything for bounties

PKO Benefits

Lower variance: Get paid with every knockout
More action: Great for exploiting loose players
Immediate rewards: Profit before even cashing!

💡 Dara O'Kearney: "Knowing your standard ranges before expanding for bounties is crucial. Many players overvalue OR undervalue bounties."

🏋️ Tilt Control & Types of Tilt

What Is Tilt?

Tilt is anger that causes you to play sub-optimally. It's NOT just throwing chips around – even subtle frustration affects decision quality. Jared Tendler (Mental Game of Poker) identifies 7 distinct types:

The 7 Types of Tilt

Type	Trigger	Inner Monologue
Injustice Tilt	Bad beats, coolers	"This isn't fair! I always lose flips!"
Hate-Losing Tilt	Any loss	"How is it possible to lose like this again?!"
Mistake Tilt	Your own errors	"I knew better! How can I be so stupid?!"
Entitlement Tilt	Losing to "weaker" players	"I'm too good to lose to this donkey!"
Revenge Tilt	Specific opponent	"I'm gonna 3-bet this idiot every hand!"
Desperation Tilt	Need to win back losses	"I'll stay here all night until I'm even!"
Running Bad Tilt	Accumulated losses	Compound effect of all other tilts

Recognizing YOUR Tilt Profile

Which types affect YOU most? Rate yourself 1-10 for each:

How often do you tell bad beat stories? (Injustice)
Does one losing session ruin your day? (Hate-Losing)
Do you obsess over your own mistakes? (Mistake)
Do you feel you "deserve" to beat certain players? (Entitlement)
Do you target players who've beaten you? (Revenge)
Do you chase losses by playing longer or higher? (Desperation)

The Tilt Cascade

⚠️ Dusty Schmidt's Story: He saved money on computer equipment (mice, keyboards, monitors) after fixing his tilt. His wife thanked his coach!

Tilt Prevention Strategies

Before Session:

Set a stop-loss before you start
Review your tilt triggers
Read your logic statements
Check your emotional state - don't play upset

During Session:

Recognize early warning signs (elevated heart rate, frustration)
Take deep breaths - physically calm yourself
Recite logic statements mentally
Take a break if tilt is building

After Session:

Journal tilt instances (severity 1-10)
Note triggers and your response
Track progress over time

Logic Statements for Each Tilt Type

Injustice Tilt: "Variance is part of the game. I can't control cards, only decisions. Bad players calling with garbage is WHY poker is profitable."

Mistake Tilt: "Mistakes are opportunities to learn. Even the best players make errors. Perfect poker is impossible."

Entitlement Tilt: "Studying doesn't entitle me to win every session. My edge plays out over thousands of hands, not one night."

💡 Jared Tendler: "When you look at a weather forecast and it says it's going to rain, do you get mad when you go out and it's raining? So why do you continually get angry when variance happens?"

🧘 Mindfulness & Focus

The Zone (Flow State)

The "zone" is when you're fully immersed, making clear decisions without distraction. Characteristics:

Total engagement with the action
No outside thoughts or worries
Focused on process, not results
Altered sense of time
Decisions feel effortless

Yerkes-Dodson Law

Performance requires the RIGHT amount of mental energy:

Energy Level	Result
Too Low	Tired, bored, unmotivated, missing spots
Optimal	Alert, focused, making best decisions
Too High	Tilted, anxious, overexcited, mistakes

Find your Goldilocks zone – not too much, not too little.

6-2-7 Breathing Reset

The Technique:
1. Inhale for 6 seconds
2. Hold for 2 seconds
3. Exhale for 7 seconds

Do 1-2 rounds before sessions or when feeling stressed. This activates your parasympathetic nervous system and calms you down.

Box Breathing (4-4-4-4)

For anxiety/nerves:
1. Inhale for 4 seconds
2. Hold for 4 seconds
3. Exhale for 4 seconds
4. Hold for 4 seconds

Used by Navy SEALs and elite performers. Great before big decisions.

Mindfulness Meditation

Even 10-15 minutes daily builds focus and emotional control:

Sit comfortably, close eyes
Focus on your breath
When thoughts arise, acknowledge and return to breath
Don't judge yourself – wandering is normal

💡 Elky (Bertrand Grospellier): "I try to meditate in the morning and go to the gym before the tournament."

Focus Killers to Eliminate

⚠️ Phone notifications

⚠️ Social media tabs open

⚠️ Watching TV while playing

⚠️ Hunger or thirst

⚠️ Uncomfortable seating

⚠️ Life problems on your mind

Present Moment Anchors

When you notice your mind wandering:

Feel your feet on the floor
Notice the cards in your hand
Listen to the sound of chips
Take three conscious breaths
Ask: "What's the best play RIGHT NOW?"

💡 Elliot Roe: "The consistency of your poker performance is only as random as you allow it to be. There are systems & routines that will take you from accidental & unpredictable to consistently bringing your A-Game."

🪞 A-Game, B-Game, C-Game Analysis

Understanding Your Performance Levels

💡 Chip Reese (Poker Legend): "The guys I play are tough. When they play their A-game, I'm no better. The difference? They have a C and D game. They become weak when they steam. My edge is that I don't steam."

Define Your Games

Level	Description	When It Happens
A-Game	Your best poker. All skills engaged, optimal decisions.	Well-rested, focused, emotionally stable, prepared
B-Game	Solid but not peak. Conscious skills work, some mistakes.	Slightly tired, minor distractions, acceptable
C-Game	Poor performance. Only automatic habits remain.	Tilted, exhausted, distracted, emotional

The Math of Improvement

Two Scenarios:

Player A: 30% C-game, 50% B-game, 20% A-game
Player B: 10% C-game, 60% B-game, 30% A-game

Same technical skill, but Player B's mental game makes them FAR more profitable. Reducing C-game is usually the fastest path to improvement!

Identifying Your A-Game

When you're at your best, you:

Think through every decision methodically
Consider opponent ranges accurately
Size bets optimally
Don't react emotionally to results
Stay patient waiting for spots
Execute plays you've studied

Recognizing C-Game Triggers

What pushes YOU to your worst?

Number of hours played?
Amount of money lost?
Specific opponent behaviors?
Time of day/night?
Life stress?
Physical state (hunger, tiredness)?

The Skill Acquisition Model

Stage	Description
Unconscious Incompetence	You don't know what you don't know
Conscious Incompetence	You know the skill but can't execute
Conscious Competence	You can do it when focused
Unconscious Competence	It's automatic (only available in A/B game)

⚠️ C-Game Reality: When tilted, you ONLY have access to skills at Unconscious Competence level. Everything you've "learned" but not fully internalized disappears!

Action Steps

Journal your sessions: Rate A/B/C game percentage after each session
Identify patterns: What conditions produce A-game vs C-game?
Set C-game triggers: Know when to quit before damage
Build A-game conditions: Sleep, preparation, mental state

💡 Jared Tendler: "C-game is like gravity – it has the power to drag us down. Preparation, sleep, eating well are the MINIMUM requirements to escape C-game and earn B-game and A-game."

📋 Session Planning & Goals

The A.G.A.M.E. Pre-Session Protocol

Developed by Elliot Roe for consistent peak performance:

Letter	Action	Details
A	Activate Your Mind	Watch a training video, review notes, solve a few GTO puzzles
G	Goal Setting	Pick 1-3 specific focus areas for this session
A	Assemble Things	Water, snacks, phone away, environment ready
M	Meditation	5-15 minutes to clear mind, transition to performance mode
E	Eliminate Distractions	Social media closed, notifications off, family notified

Pre-Session Checklist

✓ Am I well-rested? (7-8 hours sleep)
✓ Have I eaten? (Not too heavy, not hungry)
✓ Is my environment comfortable?
✓ Are distractions eliminated?
✓ Have I reviewed my focus areas?
✓ What's my stop-loss for today?
✓ Am I emotionally ready to play?

💡 Dusty Schmidt: "The warm-up is essential. No matter what, I always warm up now."

Goal Setting: SMART Framework

Specific: Not "play better" but "fold more to 3-bets from EP"
Measurable: "Increase win rate by 3 BB/100 over 3 months"
Achievable: Realistic given your current level
Relevant: Addresses your actual leaks
Time-bound: Has a deadline

Session Focus Examples

Good Session Goals:
• "Focus on bet sizing tells - what does villain's size mean?"
• "Don't hero call - need a clear reason to call river"
• "Play more aggressively in position"
• "Take 3 deep breaths before big decisions"

Bad Session Goals:
• "Win $500" (results-focused)
• "Play better" (too vague)
• "Don't tilt" (negative framing)

Post-Session Review

After every session, ask:

What went well?
What was challenging? What needs improvement?
What do I want to focus on next session?
Did I stick to my session goals?
What percentage A/B/C game was I?

Study-to-Play Ratio

💡 Recommended: 5-6 hours of play for every 2-3 hours of study. About 70% play, 30% study.

Weekly Study Structure

Day 1: Watch training content, take notes
Day 2: Play with focus on new concepts
Day 3: Review tagged hands, journal mistakes
Day 4: Play session, implement learnings
Day 5: Deep hand analysis or solver work
Weekend: Main volume sessions

🥤 Physical Health & Lifestyle

The Mind-Body Connection

Poker is a mental game, but your brain runs on your body. Physical health directly impacts decision quality:

Sleep: The Foundation

Sleep	Cognitive Impact
7-8 hours	Optimal decision-making, memory consolidation
6 hours	Noticeable reduction in complex thinking
5 hours	Similar to being legally drunk
<5 hours	Severely impaired judgment

⚠️ Sleep deprivation effects are often INVISIBLE to the person affected. You feel "fine" but your decisions suffer dramatically.

Pre-Tournament Sleep Strategy

8 hours the night before
Power nap (20-30 min) before evening sessions
Consistent sleep schedule when possible
No screens 1 hour before bed

Nutrition for Peak Performance

Before Sessions:

Moderate meal 1-2 hours before (not too heavy)
Protein + complex carbs for sustained energy
Avoid sugar spikes and crashes

During Sessions:

Stay hydrated (water > energy drinks)
Light snacks: nuts, fruit, protein bars
Avoid alcohol (impairs judgment)

Caffeine Strategy:

Time caffeine for when you need peak focus
Don't over-caffeinate (anxiety, jitters)
No caffeine after 2pm if playing evening sessions

Exercise Benefits

💡 30 minutes of exercise before a session significantly improves focus and cognitive function.

Increases blood flow to brain
Reduces stress hormones
Improves mood and confidence
Helps regulate sleep
Builds mental discipline

💡 Fedor Holz: "I would prefer to have a better routine, like always go to the gym 30 minutes before I play, more consistency to help train my mind so with this routine I know I'm ready to play poker."

Ergonomics for Long Sessions

Comfortable chair with good back support
Monitor at eye level
Take standing/walking breaks every hour
Stretch periodically
Proper lighting (reduce eye strain)

Work-Life Balance

Poker burnout is real. Protect yourself:

Set work hours (poker IS work)
Maintain relationships outside poker
Have hobbies unrelated to gambling
Take regular days completely off
Vacation without poker periodically

⚠️ Warning Signs of Burnout: Dreading sessions, playing on autopilot, no motivation to study, irritability, isolation

🛋️ Handling Variance & Downswings

Understanding Variance

Variance is the statistical measure of how results deviate from expectation. In poker, even winning players will have extended losing periods.

Typical Downswing Lengths

Format	Potential Downswing
Cash 6-max	10-20 buy-ins over 50,000 hands
Cash Full Ring	10-15 buy-ins over 50,000 hands
MTT	100+ buy-ins over months
PLO	30-50 buy-ins (higher variance)

⚠️ Jonathan Little's Experience: Lost ~60 buy-ins ($250,000) in his first year of live tournaments. Then won ~300 buy-ins the next year. This is NORMAL variance.

Bankroll Requirements

Format	Conservative BRM
NLHE Cash	30-50 buy-ins
PLO Cash	50-100 buy-ins
MTT	100-200 buy-ins
Spin & Go	100+ buy-ins

💡 Daniel Negreanu: "Don't try to 'stop' variance. You can't break a losing streak by playing recklessly, just as you can't extend a winning streak by playing conservatively."

The Downswing Spiral

How downswings become self-perpetuating:

Running bad → lose confidence
Low confidence → play scared/tilted
Poor play → more losses
More losses → deeper tilt
Deeper tilt → even worse play

Breaking the Cycle

Accept variance intellectually: Know the math before it happens
Separate process from outcome: Judge decisions, not results
Use a variance calculator: See what's statistically possible
Review your play: Confirm you're playing well despite losses
Take breaks: Reset mentally when running bad
Move down stakes: No shame, protects bankroll and mental state

Logic Statements for Downswings

"Variance is temporary. My edge is real over the long run."

"I can only control my decisions, not the cards."

"This downswing is within statistical expectations."

"The same variance that creates downswings also creates upswings."

When to Move Down Stakes

Bankroll drops below 20 buy-ins
Losses are affecting your mental state
You notice yourself playing scared
You're not enjoying the game anymore

💡 Moving down is NOT failure – it's smart bankroll management. The games will always be there when you're ready to move back up.

Upswing Management

Upswings have pitfalls too:

Don't confuse running good with playing well
Don't move up too fast
Don't abandon your strategy because it's "working"
Don't develop overconfidence

🎧 Pre-Session Routine

Why Routines Matter

Top performers in every field – athletes, musicians, surgeons – use pre-performance routines. They prime the brain for optimal execution.

💡 Elliot Roe: "The consistency of your poker performance is only as random as you allow it to be."

Sample 30-Minute Warm-Up

Time	Activity
0-10 min	Light exercise or walking
10-20 min	Review notes, watch training clip, solve puzzles
20-25 min	Meditation or breathing exercises
25-30 min	Set session goals, eliminate distractions

Quick 10-Minute Version

3 min: Review yesterday's notes/key concepts
3 min: Hand reading exercise (put villain on a range)
2 min: Set 1-2 session focus goals
2 min: Breathing exercise, mental transition

Pro Player Routines

Kristen Bicknell: "I typically pick three things to think about or goals for the session. I'm a big believer in positive visualization – I'm usually visualizing the session ahead."

Matt Berkey (Live Cash): "Check Bravo app for good games, use restroom, fill water bottle, put phone in drawer, set Skype to DND, give dog a pet for luck."

Visualization Technique

Before playing, spend 2-3 minutes visualizing:

Common tough spots (facing river shove, big bluff opportunity)
Yourself staying calm and thinking clearly
Making the correct decision regardless of outcome
Handling bad beats without emotional reaction

Intention Setting

Ask yourself: "How do I want to show up today?"

Patient and disciplined
Aggressive when appropriate
Emotionally stable regardless of results
Present and focused on every decision

Physical Checklist

✓ Used bathroom
✓ Water bottle filled (32+ oz)
✓ Light snack available
✓ Comfortable clothing
✓ Phone silenced/away
✓ Room temperature comfortable

Mental Checklist

✓ Not carrying emotional baggage
✓ Not overly tired
✓ Reviewed focus areas
✓ Stop-loss determined
✓ Ready to accept any outcome

Cool-Down Routine (Post-Session)

Review tagged hands (5-10 min)
Journal key decisions and mental state
Rate your A/B/C game percentage
Plan tomorrow's focus areas
Transition activity (walk, stretch, hobby)

💡 Key Principle: Build routines that work for YOU. Experiment with different elements and keep what helps.

📖 Study Habits & Improvement

The Study Problem

Most players have a "graveyard of notes" – they study, take notes, then never revisit them. Information without application is wasted.

Active vs Passive Learning

Passive (Less Effective)	Active (More Effective)
Watching videos without notes	Pause, think, write action steps
Reading strategy posts	Solve hands yourself first
Following along with coach	Try it yourself, then compare
Memorizing charts	Understanding WHY behind ranges

Active Recall Technique

Before reviewing your notes:
1. Try to remember what you studied
2. Write down what you recall
3. THEN review your notes
4. Fill in gaps

This forces your brain to retrieve information, strengthening memory pathways.

The One-Skill Focus Method

Identify ONE leak to fix
Study that concept deeply
Play 5-10 sessions focused only on that skill
Review hands related to that skill
Once improved, move to next leak

⚠️ Trying to learn too many things at once = learning nothing deeply. Focus!

Study Plan Structure

Weekly Template:

Mon: Watch training video, create action steps
Tue: Play session implementing new concepts
Wed: Review hands from Tuesday, identify mistakes
Thu: Play session, continue focus
Fri: Solver/GTO study or deep hand analysis
Weekend: Main volume + light review

Leak Identification

Rate yourself 1-10 on each skill area:

Preflop ranges by position
3-bet/4-bet strategy
C-betting flops
Turn barrel decisions
River value betting
Bluff catching
Hand reading
Bet sizing

Work on your LOWEST scores first for maximum improvement.

Hand Review Process

Tag hands in-game: "Interesting spot," "Unsure," "Tilted"
Review within 24 hours: Fresh memory helps
Write your analysis first: Before checking solver
Compare to optimal: Where did you deviate?
Create action step: What will you do differently?

Resources to Use

Training Sites: RIO, Upswing, BBZ, Pokercoaching
Solvers: GTO Wizard, PioSolver, Simple Postflop
Trackers: PokerTracker 4, Hold'em Manager 3
ICM Tools: ICMIZER, HRC
Mental Game: Jared Tendler books, Elliot Roe's Primed Mind

💡 Sky Matsuhashi: "You should do 1 study session for each play session. If you play 5 sessions per week, study 5 sessions. It's like sharpening the axe before chopping the tree."

Coaching & Study Groups

Find players at similar stakes to discuss hands
Join Discord communities for training sites
Consider a coach for personalized feedback
Share hand histories for outside perspectives

🌳 Confidence & Growth Mindset

Self-Efficacy vs General Confidence

Self-efficacy is your belief in your ability to execute SPECIFIC tasks. It's not vague "confidence" – it's targeted:

Can I execute a 3-bet bluff on the bubble?
Can I make a thin river call under pressure?
Can I stay calm when losing to bad beats?

💡 Key Insight: Two players with identical technical skill can have vastly different results based on self-efficacy. The one who BELIEVES they can execute under pressure actually does.

Building Specific Confidence

Method	How It Works
Mastery Experiences	Succeed at increasingly difficult tasks
Vicarious Learning	Watch others similar to you succeed
Verbal Persuasion	Coaching, self-talk, affirmations
Emotional States	Associate calm, positive feelings with poker

The Fear of Moving Up

Common fears when taking shots at higher stakes:

"Players are better, I'll get crushed"
"I'll lose my bankroll"
"I don't belong at this level"
"What if I'm not as good as I thought?"

Overcoming Fear of Moving Up

Prepare technically: Study the differences at higher stakes
Start with shot-taking: Risk a small portion of bankroll
Set clear parameters: When to move back down
Focus on learning: Not immediate results
Visualize success: See yourself playing confidently

💡 Jared Tendler: "When moving up, old mental game issues often resurface. Problems you thought you solved at lower stakes can reappear under new pressure. Be prepared."

Growth Mindset vs Fixed Mindset

Fixed Mindset	Growth Mindset
"I'm bad at bluffing"	"I'm learning to bluff better"
"I can't beat this stake"	"I haven't beaten it YET"
"Mistakes mean I'm bad"	"Mistakes show where to improve"
"Natural talent determines success"	"Work and study determine success"

Positive Self-Talk

Replace negative thoughts:

❌ "I always lose flips"
✅ "Flips are 50/50, I'll win my share over time"

❌ "I suck at river decisions"
✅ "River decisions are complex, I'm improving"

❌ "I don't deserve to win"
✅ "I put in the work, I deserve good results"

The Courage Log

Keep a record of times you played courageously:

Made a big bluff when scared
Called down correctly despite pressure
Stayed calm after a bad beat
Played your A-game despite running bad

Review this log when confidence is low. Remind yourself: you CAN do this.

Handling Imposter Syndrome

Even top pros feel like frauds sometimes. Remember:

Your past results are real
You've earned your current level
Variance makes everyone question themselves
Focus on process, not outcomes

💡 Elliot Roe: "Once the subconscious feels comfortable with a new reality, it's vastly less likely that we'll self-sabotage when we reach it. This is why visualization and mental preparation are so powerful."

🍎 Nutrition & Energy Management

Why Nutrition Matters for Poker

Your brain uses 20% of your total energy. Poor nutrition = poor decisions. Top pros treat nutrition like any other edge.

💡 Fedor Holz: "I treat my body like an athlete would. Clean eating, proper hydration, and timing meals around sessions makes a huge difference in my focus."

Pre-Session Meal (1-2 Hours Before)

Include	Avoid
Lean protein (chicken, fish, eggs)	Heavy, greasy foods
Complex carbs (oats, brown rice)	Simple sugars (candy, soda)
Healthy fats (avocado, nuts)	Large portions that make you sleepy
Vegetables for fiber	Alcohol (even small amounts)

During Sessions

Hydration (Critical!)

Even 2% dehydration impairs cognitive function
Drink water consistently - don't wait until thirsty
Target: ~8oz per hour of play
Avoid excessive caffeine (leads to crashes)

Smart Snacking

Good: Nuts, fruit, dark chocolate, protein bars
Bad: Chips, candy, energy drinks, pastries
Small portions every 2-3 hours for steady energy

Caffeine Strategy

Timing	Effect
Morning session	Coffee 30 min before is fine
Afternoon session	Moderate caffeine OK, avoid after 2pm for sleep
Night session	Minimal caffeine - use other energy strategies
Multi-day tournament	Taper caffeine to avoid tolerance buildup

⚠️ Energy drinks are NOT a substitute for sleep. The crash will hurt your play more than the boost helps.

Blood Sugar Management

Spikes and crashes affect mood and decisions:

Spike: Feel great temporarily → overconfident plays
Crash: Irritable, tired → tilted decisions
Steady: Consistent energy = consistent play

Long Session Survival

Hour	Strategy
0-2	Peak energy - play your A-game spots
2-4	Light snack, stretch break, water
4-6	Meal break if possible, reassess energy
6+	Honest assessment: are you still playing well?

Foods for Brain Function

Omega-3s: Salmon, walnuts, flaxseed (brain health)
Antioxidants: Blueberries, dark chocolate (protect neurons)
B-Vitamins: Eggs, leafy greens (energy production)
Protein: Chicken, fish, legumes (neurotransmitter production)

💡 Key Insight: Treat poker sessions like athletic events. You wouldn't run a marathon on junk food - don't grind 8 hours on energy drinks and chips.

📚 Mental Game Resources

Essential Books

Book	Author	Focus
The Mental Game of Poker	Jared Tendler	Tilt, confidence, motivation
The Mental Game of Poker 2	Jared Tendler	A-C game, learning, zone
Zen and the Art of Poker	Larry Phillips	Mindfulness, patience, discipline
The Poker Mindset	Hilger & Taylor	Emotional control, bankroll
Elements of Poker	Tommy Angelo	Reciprocality, quitting, focus

Top Podcasts

The Mindset Advantage - Elliot Roe's podcast on peak performance
Poker Life Podcast - Joey Ingram interviews pros about mental game
Smart Poker Study - Sky Matsuhashi on study habits and improvement
Red Chip Poker - Often covers mental game topics
Thinking Poker - Andrew Brokos discusses mindset

Apps & Tools

App	Purpose	Cost
Primed Mind	Hypnotherapy for poker (Elliot Roe)	Subscription
Headspace	General meditation	Subscription
Calm	Sleep & meditation	Subscription
Insight Timer	Free meditation library	Free
Session tracker apps	Track mental states with results	Varies

Coaches & Training Sites

Elliot Roe - A-Game Poker, world's top mindset coach
Jared Tendler - Mental game coaching, author
The Poker Detox - Ben Hayles, mental game focus
Run It Once - Has mental game content from pros
Upswing Poker - Some mental game articles

YouTube Channels

Jared Tendler - Free mental game tips
Elliot Roe - Mindset training clips
Jonathan Little - Often discusses mental aspects
Doug Polk - Real-talk on tilt and mindset

Recommended Learning Path

Start: Read "The Mental Game of Poker" cover to cover
Practice: Try Primed Mind app or Headspace for 2 weeks
Track: Keep a mental game journal for 30 days
Review: Read "Mental Game of Poker 2" for advanced concepts
Integrate: Build pre-session routine using what you've learned
Optional: Consider 1-on-1 coaching if you plateau

Free Resources

Jared Tendler's blog (free articles)
2+2 Mental Game forum (community discussion)
YouTube guided meditations for poker
Poker podcasts (all free)
This app! Review these modules regularly 😊

💡 Pro Tip: Don't try to learn everything at once. Pick ONE book, ONE practice (like meditation), and commit to it for 30 days before adding more. Depth beats breadth for mental game work.

📊 PLO Starting Hands

In PLO, you get 4 hole cards but must use EXACTLY 2. All 4 cards should work together!

Top 30 Starting Hands (All Double-Suited)

#	Hand	Why It's Strong
1	A♠A♦K♠K♦	Best hand - high pairs + nut flush potential
2	A♠A♦J♠T♦	Aces + broadway straight potential
3	A♠A♦Q♠Q♦	Double premium pairs
4	A♠A♦J♠J♦	Double premium pairs
5	A♠A♦T♠T♦	Aces with solid backup
6	A♠A♦9♠9♦	Aces with medium pair
7	A♠A♦7♠5♦	Aces with hidden straight potential
8	J♠T♦9♠8♦	Premium rundown - massive straight potential
9	K♠K♦Q♠Q♦	High double pair
10	K♠K♦J♠J♦	High double pair

What Makes a Good PLO Hand

1. Double-Suited (Most Important)

Two different flush draws possible
50%+ more equity than rainbow hands
Double-suited hands dominate

2. Connectedness (Rundowns)

4 cards in a row: JT98, T987, 9876
Can make straights in multiple ways
Higher rundowns > lower rundowns (nut straights)

3. High Cards (9+)

More likely to make nut hands
Higher full houses beat lower ones
Top set > bottom set

4. All 4 Cards Work Together

No "danglers" (random disconnected cards)
Every card contributes to nut potential

Premium Rundowns

Type	Examples	Notes
High	KQJT, QJT9, JT98	Best - make nut straights
Medium	T987, 9876, 8765	Good - still strong
Low	7654, 6543, 5432	Caution - often 2nd nut straight
Gapped	JT97, T986, 9875	OK with 1 gap, weak with 2+

Hands to AVOID

❌ Danglers: KQJ5, JT92, AA73
The random card kills your hand's potential

❌ Trips in Hand: KKKx, 777x
You're blocking your own outs to make a set!

❌ Three of Same Suit: A♠K♠Q♠J
You're blocking your own flush outs!

❌ Low Unconnected: K952, J842
Can't make the nuts in any direction

📚 PLO vs Hold'em - Key Differences

Fundamental Differences

Concept	NLHE	PLO
Hole cards	2	4 (use exactly 2)
AA preflop equity	~85% vs random	~65% vs random
Equities preflop	Can be 80/20	Rarely better than 65/35
Average winning hand	Often one pair	Two pair minimum
Bluffing	Common, effective	Rare, less effective
Slowplaying	Sometimes correct	Almost never correct
Variance	High	MUCH higher

The Golden Rule of PLO

💡 DRAW TO THE NUTS - This is the #1 rule in PLO

Jack-high flush WILL lose to higher flush
Bottom end straight WILL lose to higher straight
Low set WILL lose to higher set
If you can't make the nuts, you're often drawing dead!

Equity Runs Closer

NLHE: AA vs KK = 82% vs 18%
PLO: AAKKds vs JT98ds = 55% vs 45%

Even the best PLO hands aren't huge favorites!

This means:

More variance, bigger swings
Need bigger bankroll
Can't rely on premium hands to carry you

Don't Slowplay in PLO

⚠️ Any turn card can give your opponent the nuts!

Boards change dramatically street to street
Draws have HUGE equity (wraps can have 20 outs!)
Bet your strong hands NOW
Protect your equity, charge the draws

The "Must Use 2" Rule

You MUST use exactly 2 of your hole cards and exactly 3 board cards.

Common Mistake:
Your hand: A♥Q♣7♦6♦
Board: 9♥4♥2♣J♥Q♥
You DON'T have a flush! (Only 1 heart in your hand)
You only have a pair of queens.

Position is EVERYTHING

Position matters even MORE in PLO than Hold'em:

Pots get big fast with pot-limit betting
Acting last lets you control pot size
You see how opponents react first
Play MUCH tighter out of position

🧮 PLO Math - Wraps & Draws

Pot-Limit Betting

Max Raise = Pot + Call Amount + Call Amount

Example:
Pot: $100
Opponent bets: $50
You can raise to: $100 + $50 + $50 + $50 = $250
(Pot + their bet + your call + your raise)

Wrap Draws - PLO's Secret Weapon

A "wrap" is a straight draw that wraps around the board cards, giving you more outs than a standard straight draw.

Wrap Examples

Your Hand	Board	Outs	Cards That Hit
JT87	96x	20	5, 8, 8, 8, T, T, T, J, J, J, Q, Q, Q, Q
9876	T5x	17	4, 6, 7, 8, 9, J
JT98	Q7x	13	8, 9, T, K
8765	94x	20	3, 6, 7, 8, T

Compare to Hold'em OESD: only 8 outs!

Combo Draws

When you have a wrap PLUS a flush draw:

13-card wrap (13) + Flush draw (9) = ~17-20 outs (some overlap)
20-card wrap + Flush draw = 20+ outs
You're often a FAVORITE vs made hands!

💡 With combo draws, play AGGRESSIVELY - raise and re-raise!

Draw Equity Reference

Draw Type	Outs	Flop→River	Turn→River
Nut flush draw	9	36%	18%
13-card wrap	13	48%	28%
17-card wrap	17	60%	36%
20-card wrap	20	68%	42%
Wrap + flush draw	20-25	70-80%	45-55%

Set Equity in PLO

Sets are strong but VULNERABLE in PLO:

Top set vs wrap = ~55-60% (not that safe!)
Top set vs wrap + flush draw = ~45-50% (you might be behind!)
Must bet big to protect and hope board pairs

The Nuts Changes Every Street

Board Evolution:
Flop: 8♠7♥6♦ → Nuts: T9 (straight)
Turn: 8♠7♥6♦-5♠ → Nuts: 94 or T9
River: 8♠7♥6♦-5♠-5♥ → Nuts: 55, 88, 77, 66, 94

Always ask: "What is the nuts RIGHT NOW?"

🃏 PLO Postflop Strategy

C-Betting in PLO

⚠️ C-bet LESS often than in Hold'em - opponents connect with flops more!

Situation	C-Bet Freq	Notes
Heads-up, dry board	50-60%	Still less than Hold'em
Heads-up, wet board	30-40%	Only with equity
Multiway	20-30%	Need strong hand/draw

When to C-Bet

Strong made hands (top two pair+)
Strong draws (wrap, nut flush draw)
Combo draws (wrap + flush)

When to Check

One pair (even top pair!)
Weak draws (gutshot only)
Complete air with no equity

Hand Strength Guide

Hand	Strength	Action
Nut straight/flush/FH	Nuts	Bet/raise, build pot
Top set	Very strong	Bet big, protect
Wrap + flush draw	Very strong	Bet/raise aggressively
Bottom set	Strong but vulnerable	Bet, but be careful
Top two pair	Medium-strong	Bet, fold to heavy action
Nut flush draw	Medium	Semi-bluff or call
Overpair (AA)	Weak!	Bluff-catcher at best
One pair	Very weak	Usually fold to action

Turn Strategy

Pot is getting BIG - commitment decisions happen here
Re-evaluate: Is your draw still to the nuts?
Consider stack-to-pot ratio before betting
Either build the pot or shut down

River Strategy

Bluff less: Players call down more in PLO
Value bet the nuts: Relentlessly, they will pay you
2nd/3rd nuts: Be very careful, often just call
Fold non-nuts: To big bets, someone has it

Donk Betting in PLO

Unlike Hold'em, donk betting can be correct in PLO:

Low connected boards favor BB range (654, 765)
Boards with lots of draws where you have equity
Can lead with strong hands AND draws for balance

☕ PLO Bankroll & Live Tips

Bankroll Requirements

PLO has MUCH higher variance than Hold'em - you need a bigger bankroll!

Risk Level	Buy-ins	Notes
Aggressive	30-40	High risk of ruin
Standard	40-50	Recommended for most
Conservative	50-100	Safe, can handle downswings

Compare to Hold'em (20-30 buy-ins) - you need almost double!

Expected Variance

10 buy-in downswings are NORMAL
20+ buy-in swings happen to winners
Don't move up until you have the roll
Be mentally prepared for wild swings

Live PLO Player Tendencies

💡 Live PLO games are often VERY soft - players make huge mistakes!

Common Leaks to Exploit

Play too many hands: They'll have weaker ranges
Overplay aces: Punish them postflop when they miss
Chase non-nut draws: Value bet relentlessly
Call too much: Bluff less, value bet thin
Don't fold overpairs: Get paid with two pair+

Live PLO Adjustments

Tighten up preflop: Games are loose, wait for spots
Bet bigger for protection: Charge those draws!
Value bet relentlessly: They call too much
Bluff less: They don't fold enough
Position is gold: Be patient, wait for good position

The Golden Rules of PLO

🎯 Draw to the nuts ONLY
🎯 Position is EVERYTHING
🎯 Don't overvalue aces
🎯 Bet big to protect
🎯 Fold non-nut hands to aggression
🎯 All 4 cards must work together
🎯 Have a proper bankroll

📦 PLO Hand Examples

Example 1: Premium Rundown

Your Hand: J♠T♥9♠8♥
Board: Q♦7♣6♠

Analysis:

You have a 13-card wrap!
Any 5, 8, 9, T, or K makes a straight
Plus backdoor flush draws in both suits
This is a MONSTER draw - play aggressively!

Action: Bet/raise. You're often favorite vs made hands.

Example 2: The Aces Trap

Your Hand: A♠A♥7♣2♦
Board: J♠T♥8♣

Analysis:

You have... one pair of aces. That's it.
Any 9, Q, 7 makes a straight for opponents
This board CRUSHES your hand
Your aces are basically bluff-catchers

Action: Check/fold to significant action. Don't fall in love with AA!

Example 3: Nut Flush Draw

Your Hand: A♠K♠J♦T♦
Board: 8♠5♠2♥

Analysis:

You have the nut flush draw (9 outs)
Plus backdoor straight potential
If a spade comes, you have the NUTS
Great semi-bluffing hand

Action: Bet as semi-bluff, or call and hit. Can raise for fold equity.

Example 4: Set on Danger Board

Your Hand: 9♠9♥6♣5♦
Board: 9♦8♦7♠

Analysis:

You flopped top set - great!
BUT: Any T, 6, 5, J makes a straight
Any diamond makes a flush possible
Many hands have 45-55% equity against you!

Action: BET BIG (pot). You need to charge draws. Hope board pairs!

Example 5: Wrap + Flush Draw (Monster)

Your Hand: T♠9♠8♥7♥
Board: J♠6♠5♦

Analysis:

20-card wrap (any 4, 7, 8, 9, T, Q makes straight)
PLUS nut flush draw (any spade)
You have 23+ outs = ~75% equity!
You're a HUGE favorite vs almost any made hand!

Action: Get all the money in! Raise, re-raise, shove.

Example 6: Thin Value on River

Your Hand: A♠K♥Q♦J♠
Board: K♣T♥5♦4♠2♥

Analysis:

You have top pair, top kicker with a gutshot backup
Board is very dry, no flushes possible
Opponent checked river
They likely have weak pairs or missed draws

Action: Thin value bet ~50% pot. Live players call with worse!