What is Board Coverage & Why Does It Matter?

what is board coverage in poker 1200x800-no-read

Board coverage is a relatively new concept in the poker world. It became a hot topic when solvers gained widespread use, but not everyone knows what it is. To bridge that gap, this article will answer some questions about it: What is board coverage? Why does board coverage matter in theory? How much does board…

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[QUIZ] Do You Know When to Bet with Ace-King?

ace king quiz

Getting dealt Ace-King is cause for some excitement… …but oftentimes no ace or king comes on the flop and our enthusiasm fades away. This quiz will test your ability to identify situations to continuation bet (c-bet) with Ace-King, as well as situations in which you should slow down with a check. After finishing the quiz,…

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How to Get Max Value from Poker Database Software

database software tips

Whether you play online poker seriously or just for practice, using database software like PokerTracker or Hold’em Manager is an easy way to study and increase your win-rate. The following tips will help you use these powerful pieces of software to their full potential. Note: Don’t have database software yet? You are missing out on…

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WSOP Main Event Winner Stoyan Madanzhiev Joins Team Upswing

stoyan madanzhiev joins team upswing

The perfect way to hone your skills in preparation for the World Series of Poker is here… Bulgarian tournament poker pro Stoyan Madanzhiev won $4 million and a WSOP Main Event bracelet last year. Now, he’s signed on to be a guest coach in the Upswing Lab training course. (Keep reading for a sneak peek…

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10 Cash Game Poker Tips for Dominating the Table

cash game poker tips

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…

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How to Play Ace-Jack Offsuit in Cash Games (Preflop & Postflop)

ace jack offsuit

Ace-Jack offsuit is a solid starting hand in No Limit Hold’em. It’s usually worth playing, but there are certainly situations in which you should let it go before the flop. This article covers how to play “ajax” in a variety of common preflop situations. Plus, tips for playing it postflop when you hit and miss…

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Stop Punting Away Your Equity in Knockout Tournaments

knockout bounty poker tournament strategy

A Wise Hitman Chooses His Targets Carefully… If you aren’t playing knockout poker tournaments as a part of your schedule, you’re seriously missing out. They’re both the most fun and the biggest value format on the internet these days. What is a Knockout / Bounty Tournament? In Knockout/Bounty tournaments, a bounty is a set amount…

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5 Tips for Playing Backdoor Flush & Straight Draws

backdoor flush and straight draw

Backdoor draws play a significant role in the range construction process. If you 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 are…

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How to NOT Sound Like an Idiot When Talking About “GTO”

gto idiot

The term “GTO” gets thrown around a lot in the poker world. But while it’s become a part of many players’ vocabulary, many people seem to misunderstand its true meaning. To bridge this knowledge gap, here are 7 insights from Doug Polk on Twitter to help you “not sound like an idiot when you are…

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Should You Ever Donk-Bet On The Flop?

What is Donk Betting? A Donk-Bet is a somewhat unorthodox bet made by an out of position player who was not the aggressor in the previous street. Donk-betting used to be one of the greatest sins a poker player could commit. Back in the hay day of Limit Hold’em, as No-Limit was gaining popularity, most…

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4 Factors to Think About Before Hero Calling

hero call factors

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. Making correct “hero calls” with “bluff-catchers” is not easy. Rather than arbitrarily […]

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Leveling: How Overthinking Costs You Money at the Poker Table

leveling in poker

What is Leveling in Poker? Also known as Multiple Level Thinking, Leveling is the concept of evaluating a poker situation beyond what cards you hold in your own hand. 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…

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[QUIZ] Do You Know Which Hands to Bluff With?

bluff hand selection quiz

Knowing when to bluff is one of the most important aspects of poker, which is why we’re making another quiz to test your skills. In this quiz, your technical understanding of bluffing on every street will be challenged, from preflop through the river. Keep in mind that multiple answers might be good bluffing hands, but…

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Which Draws Should You Semi-Bluff With?

semi-bluff strategy with draws

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 is a Semi-Bluff? Semi-bluffing means betting…

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