Poker Strategy
Mastering Preflop 3-Bets: Value, Bluffs, and Exploits
3-betting preflop is a fundamental strategy for winning at poker. Getting it right is also easier than ever, thanks to the technological advances made in recent years. In this article, I will break down why 3-betting is crucial for poker success and how to wield this weapon correctly depending on the situation you find yourself…
Read MoreSlowplaying in MTTs: Three Spots Where It Prints Chips
Slowplaying a big hand isn’t optimal… usually. When you have a big hand, you want to make the pot big. But there are considerations that, when taken into account, can make slowplaying the right thing to do. In fact, it may even be the best thing to do. In this article, I’m going to show…
Read MoreMTT Survival Guide: The Right Way to Defend Against Turn Probes
Well, you checked back the flop like an intelligent, disciplined, strong poker player. But now they’re reaching for chips… They’re probing the turn!!! “Fml. Turn probes. WHY.” Get a hold of yourself. In today’s article, you’ll learn how to defend against turn probes in tournaments like an absolute champion. Here we go. Don’t Flop the…
Read MorePR0DIGY vs Riggedeck: A $35,000 Hand Breakdown from the Cash Game World Championship
As we steam ahead with the 2025 Cash Game World Championship (CGWC), I am going to break down a hand from the first installment of the event, which ran from early December 2024 to mid-January 2025. The stars of the show are two of the best: PR0DIGY (Owen Messere), who ended up winning the whole…
Read MoreLLinusLLove vs Kevin Paqué in a CGWC High-Stakes Showdown
We got a blast from the past in this article. Well, it’s not quite so far back in the past, as we are talking about a hand from the first-ever Cash Game World Championship, which took place from early December 2024 to mid-January 2025. The stars of the show are two of the best: Linus…
Read MoreCheck-Raised the Flop? Here’s What to Do When the Turn Pairs
In the previous part of this series, we looked at how to approach unpaired brick turns. Now it’s time to cover the brickiest turns of all — the paired ones. This will be the final brick in our “We check-raised the flop, now what?” series (pun intended). Buckle up — let’s dive in! Quick Recap…
Read MoreWe’re Cutting Prices for Cyber Monday (25% Off Everything)
The 2025 Black Friday / Cyber Monday Sale is over. We’ll see you 2026 with more sales and more killer poker content. Have you considered upgrading your poker skills with one of Upswing’s best-selling courses? It’s time to get off the fence because we’re slashing prices by 25% for Cyber Monday, with deals ending Dec…
Read More5 Situations Where C-Betting Will Burn You
C-betting is a fundamental part of playing good, solid, winning poker. There are many situations where c-betting frequently is the most profitable strategy… …but in this article, I’m going to show you 5 spots where c-betting can actually do more harm than good. It can even open you up to being exploited for a lot…
Read MoreUnleash Your Potential with Lucid Poker
This will change your poker game for the better. Lucid Poker Version 3.0 launches on November 10, offering a faster, smoother experience and a sleek new look to help you play your best. Whether you’re a beginner or a grinder, Lucid Poker gives you everything you need to train smarter, play sharper, and win more.…
Read More5 Solver Strategies That Crush in Theory (and Crash in Real Life)
If you’ve spent any time studying with solvers, you know how powerful they are. Tools like Upswing’s Lucid Poker can break down any hand, show you what your range should do, and tell you exactly where you went wrong. But here’s the truth: solvers live in a world that doesn’t exist. They assume both players…
Read MoreOutplaying the Reckless Player: Mastering Turn Probes After Missed C-Bets
In the first part of the series, I covered the most common opponent type – the risk-averse player profile. In the next part of the series I am going to cover another common opponent type – the reckless player. Let’s dive in! High-level View – The Reckless Player The Reckless Player I define the reckless…
Read MoreThe Hidden Mechanics of C-Betting: Lessons from Phemo
What Is a C-Bet? A continuation bet, or c-bet, is a follow-up bet made by the player who took the last aggressive action on the previous street — usually the preflop raiser. For example, when you raise preflop and then bet the flop, that’s a c-bet. The same logic applies to turn c-bets (continuing after…
Read MoreWhat to Do After You Check-Raise the Flop and the Turn Bricks Out
In this part of the series, we’re going to cover how to play on blank turns. We’ll start with the high-level theoretical framework behind the GTO strategies, look at some exact strategies for different hand classes, and wrap up with a dive into the exploitative opportunities that can arise—aka, how to make some juicy EV…
Read MoreMTT Preflop Strategy: Turning Flat-Calls from Leak to Weapon
Most losing players aren’t bleeding money because of massive, obvious mistakes. It’s the small, repeated errors that make or break a career. Slow leaks chip away at your profits little by little. One of the biggest? Flatting too wide, and in the wrong spots. In today’s article, I’ll show you how to build solid, theory-driven,…
Read MoreYour Opponent Checked Back—Here’s How to Capitalize (Part I)
Over the years, I’ve mostly focused on how to play as the aggressor, particularly on the flop. That stage is critical because it sets the foundation for everything that follows. In this article, however, we’ll shift focus to situations where your opponent has passed on the chance to bet. These spots are rich with opportunity…
Read MoreCheck or Bet? How to Build Strong Flop Check-Back Strategies in Tournaments
Let’s face it. Checking back stinks, doesn’t it? It can feel even worse than folding — the most cowardly act in poker. At least when you check-fold, you never had the betting lead to begin with. Here, though? You talked a big game with your open-raise, only to start backpedaling once the flop hits. You…
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