Adjust aggression and read table behavior to set yourself up for deeper runs and stronger finishes The end of the rebuy period marks a clear shift in tournament poker. Chips gain real value, mistakes become harder to recover from, and player behavior often changes quickly. Recognizing this transition is essential for staying competitive as the
Category: Poker Strategy
The Role of Positional Awareness in Heads-up Strategy
In heads-up formats, every decision is magnified, and position influences nearly all of them Positional awareness is one of the most important concepts in heads-up play, where every hand is contested and small edges matter more. With only two players, the button acts first before the flop and last on every postflop street, creating a
Recognizing and Countering Common Mistakes in Freezeouts
Over time, cleaner decisions and sharper adjustments turn freezeouts from a grind into consistent deep runs Freezeout tournaments reward discipline, patience, and clear decision-making. With no rebuys or add-ons available, every chip matters from the first hand to the final table. Recognizing common mistakes early can protect your stack and improve long-term results in this
Building a Study Routine for Six-Plus Hold’em
A steady routine with clear goals leads to better retention than occasional deep dives Six-Plus Hold’em requires a different study approach than traditional No-Limit Hold’em. The reduced deck changes hand values, equity distribution, and betting dynamics. Building a focused study routine helps players adjust faster and avoid costly habits. Start by learning the rule differences
Maximizing Value From Add-on Opportunities in Rebuy Tournaments
Maximizing value from add-ons is about preparation, not impulse Rebuy tournaments create unique strategic decisions that do not exist in freezeout formats. Add-ons, in particular, can offer strong value when used correctly. Understanding when and why to take them can significantly improve long-term tournament results. An add-on usually provides extra chips for a fixed cost
Psychological Strategies for Staying Calm During Cold Decks
By focusing on solid decisions and trusting long-term outcomes, you can survive dry spells without damaging your game Cold decks are an unavoidable part of poker, and how players respond to them often matters more than the cards themselves. Long stretches of bad hands can create frustration, doubt, and rushed decisions. Staying calm during these
Bluffing Effectively in Heads-Up: When and How to Do It
Bluffing heads-up means choosing the right moments and using pressure as a calculated tool Bluffing plays a very different role in heads-up poker than it does at a full table. With only two players involved, ranges are wider, hands are weaker on average, and aggression increases naturally. This creates more chances to bluff, but also
Strategic Use of Min-Raises in Satellites
A clinical approach to pot control ensures you don unnecessarily risk your tournament life In satellite poker tournaments, the primary strategic objective is survival rather than chip accumulation. Because the payout structure is flat—awarding identical prizes to all qualifiers regardless of their final stack size—players must adopt a risk-averse approach that differs significantly from standard
Bankroll Management for Short Deck Poker
By acknowledging that you will face more frequent downswings, you can prepare yourself for the swings Short Deck poker, or Six Plus Hold’em, is a high-action game where removing low cards narrows equity gaps. For beginners, this means “swings” or variance will be much higher than in traditional No-Limit Hold’em. Proper bankroll management is about
Leveraging Table Position for Maximum Value in Freezeouts
Ultimately, playing in position reduces your risk and increases your information In a poker freezeout, where you only get one chance to win, understanding table position is your most powerful asset. Position refers to where you sit relative to the dealer button, and it determines when you act during a hand. Acting last is a
The Myth of the Hot Hand: Understanding Trends in Cold Decks
Trends are temporary, and the rules of probability are the only things that stay constant at the table The “hot hand” is one of the most dangerous illusions to master. It’s the feeling that because you won the last few pots, you are somehow more likely to win the next one. This mindset often leads
Reading Your Opponent: Tells and Behavioral Patterns in Heads-up Play
By staying focused and adjusting based on what you see, you turn small behavioral clues into real edges Heads-up poker strips the game down to its core. With only two players involved, every move carries more weight, and small details become easier to spot. Reading your opponent is no longer a bonus skill, but a











