Staying calm, using your position wisely, and picking your spots carefully will help you survive rough patches When the cards just aren’t coming your way in Texas Hold’em, it’s easy to get frustrated and start making poor decisions. Cold draws—runs where you’re consistently missing flops, turns, or rivers—can drain both your chip stack and your
Category: How to
Making the Transition From PLO Cash Games to Tournaments
Learning to stay focused after losing a big pot or bubbling can make a real difference over time Switching from Pot-Limit Omaha (PLO) cash games to tournaments can be a rewarding but challenging move. While the game’s core mechanics remain the same—four hole cards, pot-limit betting, and plenty of action—the strategy shifts significantly when money
SOS – I can’t stop bluffing
Bluffing isn’t just about bravado—it’s about timing, texture, and telling a story that holds up. In this edition of the ACR Pros Playbook, ACR Pro Katie Lindsay gets candid about how bluffing has shaped her game—for better and worse. From identifying fold-prone opponents to understanding river dynamics, she shares practical advice any player can learn
Game Theory Optimal vs. Exploitative Strategies in Short Deck Hold’em
Knowing when to play balanced and when to press the edge can be the difference-maker In Short Deck Hold’em, the choice between Game Theory Optimal (GTO) and exploitative strategies can heavily influence a player’s long-term success. Short Deck, also known as 6+ Hold’em, uses a 36-card deck with the 2s through 5s removed, which shifts
The Importance of Bankroll Management in Early Tournament Poker Rounds
It’s not just about avoiding elimination—it’s about setting a solid foundation for the later stages In the early stages of a poker tournament, emotions can run high and chips can disappear quickly. That’s why bankroll management becomes one of the most important tools a player can rely on. While skill and strategy play major roles
Reading Opponents: What Their Muck Says About Their Texas Hold’em Game
Every decision at showdown tells a small part of their story and collecting the pieces gives you an edge In Texas Hold’em, observing what opponents choose to muck—or not reveal—at showdown can offer useful insights into their overall playing style. Even without seeing a full hand, small details about their decisions and timing can help
Exploiting Weaknesses in Your Opponent in Heads-up Texas Hold’em
Exploiting weakness in heads-up play means staying alert, playing confidently and knowing when to push In heads-up Texas Hold’em, success often hinges on a player’s ability to read and respond to their opponent’s tendencies. With only two players in the hand, the dynamics are faster, the ranges wider, and psychological elements play a much larger
How Cold Decks Impact Opponents’ Playing Style in Texas Hold’em
Even when the cards aren’t falling your way, you can still influence the table dynamic Cold decks in Texas Hold’em—stretches where players consistently receive poor hands—can affect more than just the player experiencing the drought. While most focus on how cold runs damage a player’s momentum, it’s equally important to recognize how they shift opponents’
Poker Player Types – Simple Version
In this installment of the ACR Pros Playbook, we’re taking a step back from solvers and deep theory to focus on a skill every poker player needs: opponent profiling. ACR Pro Drew Gonzalez breaks down the four player archetypes you’ll run into at nearly every table—and how to adjust your game for maximum edge. If
Understanding and Utilizing Bet Sizing in Short Deck Hold’em
By mastering bet sizing, you can exploit the smaller deck and and maintain control over the size of the pot Short Deck Hold’em, also known as Six-Plus Hold’em, is a variation of Texas Hold’em where the deck is reduced to 36 cards by removing the 2s, 3s, 4s, and 5s. This unique twist on the
Building a Strategy for Rebuy and Add-on Stages in PLO
Rebuy events are a great opportunity to build a stack, but success comes from adapting your aggression In Pot-Limit Omaha (PLO) tournaments that offer rebuys and add-ons, building a sound strategy early can make a significant difference in your tournament success. Unlike freezeouts, where every chip lost is final, rebuy formats give you more flexibility
Mucking in Live Poker Tournaments: Strategies and Considerations
Mastering the art of mucking is about knowing when to let go and protect your chips Mucking in live poker tournaments is an essential concept that often goes overlooked, yet it plays a pivotal role in strategic decision-making. The term “mucking” refers to folding your cards face-down when deciding not to continue with a hand.