When Poker Hands Don't Go as Planned (w/ Uri Peleg)

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Learn how to stay calm and make smarter decisions when your poker hands take unexpected turns. The world’s best poker coach, Uri Peleg, gives you practical strategies and mindset shifts to quickly reevaluate, adapt, and protect your bankroll in tough situations.

View the written version of this episode here.

00:00 Hand Example Breakdown

01:47 Range vs. Hand Thinking 

03:21 Betting Structures and Exploits  

04:28 Adapting When Plans Change 

05:58 Reassessing Hand Strength in Action 

In this poker strategy podcast, Mike Brady and elite coach Uri Peleg explore one of the most important but overlooked skills in poker: knowing what to do when hands don’t go as planned. Every player has experienced the frustration of seeing a strong starting hand or a favorable flop turn into a tough spot after unexpected action, but Uri breaks down how to handle these moments with clarity and confidence. Using a real hand example and practical analogies, he shows how focusing on your range rather than just your hand strength leads to smarter decisions and prevents costly mistakes. 

Listeners will learn how to adjust betting strategies, recognize when their plan is no longer working, and quickly reevaluate based on changing dynamics. This poker strategy podcast also dives into the importance of flexibility — whether it’s shifting from aggression to caution, or accepting that folding a big hand can sometimes be the most profitable move. By reframing these situations as opportunities to adapt rather than failures, players gain a mental edge that carries across every stage of the game. 

If you’ve ever struggled with letting go of a strong-looking hand or found yourself stubbornly sticking to a plan that no longer makes sense, this poker strategy podcast delivers the perspective shift you need. Whether you’re a beginner working through the basics or a seasoned grinder aiming for mastery, you’ll come away with actionable insights to stay calm, stay sharp, and keep your bankroll protected when the game throws you curveballs.