If you play relatively low stakes (online or live), read on. One of our coaches, Gary “GazzyB123” Blackwood, recently dropped down to 10NL ($0.05/$0.10) at the request of Upswing Lab members who play those games. (Note: If you’re a Lab member, you can watch the full 10NL session here. Not a Lab member? Click here […]
What is Double Barreling in Poker? 3 Tips for Profitable Double Barrels In Cash Games
What is a double barrel in poker? A double barrel is a bet on the turn made by the same player who bet on the flop. For example, suppose I bet on the flop, you call, and I follow through with another bet (a double barrel) on the turn. Why is double barreling important? A […]
How to Play Suited Queens (Q9-Q2) in Cash Games
The medium and low Queen-high suited hands are quite versatile, and they’re worth playing occasionally. If you play these hands too often, you’ll find yourself spewing money. If you never play them, on the other hand, you’re leaving money on the table. In this article, I am going to share: How to Play Suited Queens […]
How to Play Ace-Jack Suited in Cash Games
Ace-Jack suited is one of the strongest hands you can get dealt in No Limit Hold’em. You should expect to win a good amount of money with it (on average). There are, however, some fundamental mistakes that you should avoid in order to win the maximum amount in cash games with Ace-Jack suited. In this […]
How to Play Flush Draws on the Flop & Turn (As the Preflop Aggressor)
Who doesn’t love flopping a flush draw? It’s easy to understand why players get excited when they have a flush draw, but that excitement can cause costly strategic errors. In this article, I am going to lay out some ideas that will help you make more theoretically sound (and profitable) decisions whenever you have a […]
Doug Polk Does The Thing He Said To Never Do (Analysis)
Doug once said “don’t fold sets” in No Limit Hold’em… …but apparently he was being hyperbolic because that’s exactly what he did in the hand you’re about to see. The video above features Upswing coach Nick Petrangelo breaking down Doug Polk’s heroic lay down, and offers some tips on how to know when to fold […]
How to Play Queen-Ten Suited in Cash Games
Queen-Ten suited is one of those strong and silent types of poker hands. It’s not a premium Rolls Royce like Pocket Aces. Instead, it’s more of a Volvo: fast, reliable, and safe. Nothing wrong with that in my book! In this article, you will learn the following: How to Play Queen-Ten Suited Preflop 3 Tips […]
Did Doug Polk Screw Up? Elite Poker Pro Nick Petrangelo Breaks It Down
If you want to win as much as possible in live cash games, read on. Nick Petrangelo is an elite poker pro known for his $24 million in tournament earnings. He’s also a cash game crusher who started playing $1/$2 (at Turning Stone Casino) and worked his way to beating the highest stakes tables in […]
Andrew Neeme Battles Doug Polk in $11,700 Pot (Analysis)
Let’s examine a nasty hand between Upswing Poker founder Doug Polk and professional poker player/vlogger Andrew Neeme. The two friends clash with big hands in a massive pot while playing in a cash game at The Lodge Card Club in Austin, Texas. Let’s dive into this doozy. Preflop Action The blinds are $5/$10/$20 with a […]
2 Winning Ways to Adjust Your Preflop Strategy in Low Stakes Live Poker
If you’re an online player diving into the world of live poker, one of the first things you notice is that the rake is absurdly high compared to what you’re used to. This is especially true at the lowest-stakes games ($1/$2 through $2/$5). As you climb the stakes, rake becomes less of a factor. But […]
How to Play Pocket Sevens in Cash Games
Let’s talk about the hockey sticks! Pocket Sevens is one of those “good, but not easy to play” hands. Middling pairs are strong hands that are very frequently worth playing preflop, but most flops will have at least one overcard. Misplaying the Sevens regularly will make them feel less like hockey sticks and more like […]
How to Spot Preflop Sizing Tells in Live Cash Games
If you pay enough attention at a low stakes live poker table, you may notice that some (or all) of your opponents have preflop sizing tells. You just have to know what to look for… These sizing tells, found particularly at live $1/$2 through $2/$5, will be the focus of today’s article. Let’s dive in. […]
Why You Should NOT Chop When Deep In A Tournament
If you have ever made a deep run in a tournament, you may have been asked “Do you want to chop?” It’s no wonder why. Especially in bigger tournaments, the pay jumps at final tables can be steep. You are playing for massive stakes with no idea what the future holds. But while making a […]
The (Stupid-Simple) Golden Rule for Low Stakes Cash
You probably know that live poker games are far softer than online games. If you want to maximize your win-rate in live cash games, you have to get good at identifying and attacking the leaks that are commonly exhibited by live players. Like in online games, an in-depth understanding of game theory is an asset, […]
How to Play Double-Paired Boards in Cash Games
When the turn brings a card that puts two pairs on the board — K♠ K♥ 8♥ 8♠, for example — you may find yourself in a tough situation to navigate. Is your bottom full house good? Will Ace-high be strong enough to win at showdown? Should you turn an underpair (like Pocket Fours) into […]
Play Like a Pro When The Turn Pairs The Middle Card
When the turn card pairs the board in a heads-up pot, the dynamic between the players changes greatly. This article will help you play these spots better than you currently are. The following content focuses on when to continue betting (as the preflop raiser who c-bet on the flop) in single raised pots when the […]
