Upswing Poker Level-Up

Use coupon code LEVELUP and get $50 off the new Lab 2.0 Watch the 'Winning Money in Multiway Pots' episode on YouTube Mike Brady and Gary Blackwood reveal the five most profitable bluffing spots in poker that every serious player should master. Learn how to identify and exploit bluffing opportunities—like paired boards, delayed c-bets, and favorable runouts—to outthink your opponents and win more pots. View the written version of this episode here. 00:00 Tip 1 05:06 Tip 2 09:15 Tip 3 12:28 Tip 4 16:03 Tip 5 In this episode of the Upswing Poker Level-Up, hosts Mike Brady and Scottish pro Gary Blackwood break down the five most effective bluffing spots that every player can add to their arsenal to win more pots and play with greater confidence. The discussion opens with an emphasis on fundamentals—identifying bluff spots rooted in sound theory rather than intuition or live reads. The first bluffing spot focuses on check-raising paired flops after defending from the big blind. Gary and Mike explain how solvers recommend surprisingly wide check-raises on boards like Ten-Ten-Deuce or Queen-Deuce-Deuce, creating highly profitable situations since opponents rarely defend correctly. They highlight how these bluffs succeed because most players don't realize how often they should be calling with weaker holdings or backdoor draws. Next, they explore delayed continuation betting—a powerful bluff when your opponent checks twice. By analyzing real game scenarios, they demonstrate that when a flop and turn go check-check, the opponent's range is "capped," meaning it contains few strong hands. This opens a prime opportunity to apply pressure through wide and aggressive turn bets. The third major bluff spot covers probe betting on the turn after your opponent checks back on a dynamic flop. Here, they challenge conventional solver logic by showing that most human players fail to check strong hands as often as theory dictates. As a result, when they check back, they're often weak, making probe bets—especially with draws and backdoor equity—highly effective. Bluff spot number four focuses on attacking when the board texture shifts dramatically in your favor. When a turn or river card favors your range—for instance, completing potential straights or two-pair combinations—you can lead aggressively, even out of position. The hosts emphasize how understanding range advantage allows you to "donk bet" profitably in these scenarios. The final bluff spot centers on barreling when draws complete and you hold key blockers. Using the Ten-Six-Deuce-Three-Queen board as an example, they show how triple-barrel bluffs with hands like Ace-Five with the Ace of diamonds can be extremely powerful because they block potential flushes while representing strong hands. Throughout the episode, Mike and Gary balance GTO theory with real-world exploitation, giving listeners the strategic insight to recognize and act on bluffing opportunities that most players miss. By mastering these five spots, you'll sharpen your aggression, punish capped ranges, and level up your overall poker strategy.

Use coupon code LEVELUP and get $50 off the new Lab 2.0. Mike Brady and Gary Blackwood reveal five popular solver strategies that actually hurt your win rate against real-life opponents. From misguided three-bets to weak river plays, they break down when and why "playing like a computer" can cost you money—and how to exploit human tendencies instead. View the written version of this episode here. 00:00 Tip 1 03:05 Tip 2 05:30 Tip 3 08:38 Tip 4 10:19 Tip 5 In this episode of Upswing Poker Level Up, hosts Mike Brady and Gary Blackwood break down five solver-approved strategies that often backfire in real-world poker games. While solvers have revolutionized modern strategy, they remind listeners that most human opponents don't play like perfectly balanced computers. The episode's focus is on identifying when to abandon solver logic and play exploitatively to maximize profits against typical players. The first tip targets the solver's polarized three-bet range from the big blind. While strong in theory, it fails against opponents who rarely fold, meaning speculative bluffs like Jack-Eight suited or King-Five suited simply bloat the pot unnecessarily. Tip two examines the "three-bet or fold" preflop strategy. Solvers favor aggression, but when weak players are in the blinds, calling instead of re-raising can increase expected value and keep those soft opponents in the pot. In tip three, the hosts challenge the solver's preference for checking back Aces and Kings on low boards. While this protects one's checking range in theory, it often leads to missed value when opponents are too passive to bet later streets. Tip four addresses bluffing the river with key blockers—an advanced concept that loses effectiveness against calling stations who refuse to fold top pair or better. Instead, players should simplify and focus on extracting value. Finally, tip five discusses block betting the river with nutted hands. Although solvers use small bets to induce raises, human opponents rarely raise thinly enough, turning what should be a value opportunity into a missed one. The takeaway: when you have the nuts, bet big. Throughout the episode, Mike and Gary emphasize the importance of adapting to opponents and conditions rather than following solvers blindly. Their message is clear—real profit comes from understanding why a strategy works and adjusting to human tendencies at the table.

Discover ten game-changing poker tips to elevate your No Limit Hold'em skills. The importance of playing fewer hands and adopting an aggressive strategy is emphasized. Learn to stick to proven preflop ranges, avoid the pitfalls of limping, and master the art of semi-bluffing. Fast-playing strong hands can maximize your wins, while understanding when to fold helps reduce costly mistakes. Mike also guides you on how to read opponent weakness and the significance of mental readiness before playing.

Avoiding just a few critical mistakes could be the key to unlocking your win rate at the poker table. In this episode of the Upswing Poker Level-Up podcast, Mike Brady and Gary Blackwood break down the three biggest leaks that crush players at low stakes—and how to fix them. Get instant access to the Preflop Prodigy app View the written version of this episode 00:00 Mistake #1 – Playing Too Passively 02:03 Mistake #2 – Missing Thin Value Bets 08:06 Mistake #3 – Calling with Bluff Catchers 12:52 Bonus Mistake – Playing While Tilted In this episode, host Mike Brady and Scottish poker professional Gary Blackwood dive into the three biggest mistakes players make at the table and how to avoid them. The discussion is packed with real-world examples, hand breakdowns, and actionable insights that will help listeners sharpen their skills and maximize their win rate. This poker strategy podcast emphasizes practical advice for low- and mid-stakes players who often find themselves bleeding chips due to preventable errors. Mistake #1 – Playing Too Passive: Gary stresses the importance of aggression, especially preflop. Passive play, such as calling too frequently with marginal hands, leads to long-term losses. Good players lean into three-bets and apply pressure, rather than limping along and giving away equity. The key takeaway is simple: tighten your ranges and stay aggressive to keep opponents uncomfortable. Mistake #2 – Not Value Betting Thinly Enough: The heart of poker profitability lies in value betting, and Gary points out that many players restrict themselves to betting only with top pair or better. Through detailed hand examples, he illustrates why second pair, bottom pair, and even ace-high can often justify a small river bet. Mike reinforces this by showing how thin value bets, especially when properly sized, can significantly boost a player's overall earnings. Integrating these small but consistent value spots is one of the fastest ways to raise your win rate. Mistake #3 – Overcalling Bluff Catchers Against Non-Bluffers: Perhaps the most costly leak in low-stakes poker is calling down opponents who rarely bluff. Bluff catchers, by definition, only beat bluffs—and against players who underbluff, these hands quickly become money burners. Gary explains why disciplined folds, even with seemingly strong holdings like top pair or two pair, are often the correct play. The lesson here is about opponent profiling: against players who lean nitty and conservative, folding is a weapon. Bonus Mistake – Playing on Tilt: To round things off, Mike and Gary highlight the dangers of playing emotionally compromised. A single tilt-induced mistake can wipe out hours of grinding. Taking a walk, doing breathing exercises, or even leaving the session entirely can save hundreds of big blinds over time. Throughout the episode, the hosts emphasize that small adjustments in discipline, mindset, and aggression can drastically change long-term results. This poker strategy podcast serves as both a warning against common pitfalls and a roadmap to playing more profitable, confident poker. Whether you're chasing incremental edges or simply trying to avoid costly errors, the episode offers concrete strategies that can be applied instantly to your game.

Get instant access to the new Lab 2.0 now. 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.

Elite poker coach Uri Peleg, who has trained high-stakes professionals and created the Lab 2.0 course, dives into whether playing tightly preflop is beneficial. He reveals that while premium hands yield high expected value, incorporating marginal hands can enhance overall profitability and balance your range. Uri explains the importance of flexibility in bet sizing and adjusting when facing different opponents, highlighting scenarios where tightening up is strategically sound. His insights help players maximize their long-term success at the poker table.

Click here to get 25% off Lab 2.0 to celebrate launch week! Discount starts September 8th and expires September 12th. The world's best poker coach, Uri Peleg, is here to help you destroy the players in your games. He's collected 7 real hands, each of which demonstrates a key hole in the opponent's game at showdown. First, he'll talk about how to identify and note such mistakes. Then, he'll give you the specific tactic you can use to counter this player every time you're up against them. Live coaching webinars like this will be a weekly feature inside of Lab 2.0. Get sneak peeks and learn more here.

Uri Peleg, a world-class poker coach with millions in winnings, joins Mike Brady to share five sharp strategies for dominating soft games. They emphasize the art of categorizing players to exploit common mistakes while avoiding pitfalls. Uri highlights the importance of adjusting play in multiway pots, checking your ego to prevent tilt, and recognizing that bad play doesn’t always help you. Plus, he advises against copying bad habits and overplaying the top of your range to boost winnings at both live and low-stakes online tables.

Sneak peek from Lab 2.0, coming to Upswing Poker on September 8th. Register for early access here. The world's best poker coach, Uri Peleg, walks you through numerous hand examples and shares key insights for playing Pocket Kings. He positions the question "how should you play pocket kings" as a philosophical one that touches deep into something beautiful about the game of poker. View the written version of this episode here. 00:00 The Philosophy of Playing Pocket Kings 02:56 Reevaluating Hand Strength Post-Flop 05:46 Overview of Lab 2.0 and Learning Path 06:13 Pot Control with Marginal Boards 08:50 Maximizing Value Against Loose Opponents 09:50 Playing Strong Hands on Dynamic Boards In this poker strategy podcast, world-class coach Uri Peleg takes you deep into the art of playing Pocket Kings — one of the most exciting yet misunderstood hands in No-Limit Hold'em. Pulled from Upswing Poker's Lab 2.0 course, this episode blends philosophy, strategy, and real hand breakdowns to show why Kings, while a preflop powerhouse, require constant reevaluation once the flop hits. Uri explores scenarios against skilled opponents, revealing how the board texture, betting patterns, and player tendencies can transform a monster hand into a marginal bluff-catcher — or the nuts into a value-shoving machine. Listeners will follow along as Uri navigates dream flops, dangerous turns, and tricky rivers, explaining when to push for big pots, when to pot-control, and when to get out of the way. You'll hear hands where Kings crush opponents for massive stacks, as well as spots where restraint saves your tournament life or bankroll. Along the way, Uri drops mindset gems, reminding players to shed emotional attachment to "premium" hands and focus on situational value instead. This poker strategy podcast also introduces you to the Lab 2.0 learning path, designed to meet players at their current skill level and guide them toward mastery through tailored lessons. Whether you're a beginner hoping to avoid common pitfalls or an experienced grinder looking to sharpen your decision-making, this poker strategy podcast will arm you with both the technical skills and mental discipline to handle Kings — and countless other hands — with confidence. If you're serious about improving your game, this poker strategy podcast is your ticket to turning knowledge into profit.

Learn how to turn a single showdown into a strategic advantage at the poker table. In this episode, Mike and Gary break down five real-world hand scenarios and reveal powerful counter-strategies to exploit common player types—ranging from over-bluffers to under-value bettors. If you're ready to level up your poker reads and punish your opponents' mistakes, this one's for you. Sign up for the Upswing Lab to follow a clear, structured path to poker improvement. Sharpen your solver fundamentals by joining the Lucid Poker GTO Trainer. View the written version of this episode here. 00:00 Introduction to Opponent Exploitation 01:16 Sizing Up with Strong Hands 02:39 Loose Preflop Calls 03:40 Donking with One Pair 06:29 Facing an Overbluffer 11:36 Passive Players and Missed Value 12:30 Wrap-Up and Lab 2.0 Tease In this episode of the Upswing Poker Level-Up poker strategy podcast, Mike Brady and poker pro Gary Blackwood dive into one of the most underrated tools in your poker arsenal: the power of a single showdown. They explore how observing just one hand at showdown can give you a massive edge against your opponents—if you know how to interpret it correctly. Through five detailed hand examples, the duo breaks down how to spot key player tendencies and then exploit them ruthlessly in future hands. The show kicks off with a reminder that player behavior often has patterns—but not always—so while one showdown can reveal a lot, multiple showdowns are even better. That said, even one hand can provide enough insight to expose a player's habits. Hand #1 features a player who sizes up their preflop raise with strong hands, signaling a predictable pattern you can punish by tightening up against large raises and ramping up aggression against standard sizes. In Hand #2, Mike and Gary analyze a loose caller who shows down junky hands like K7 offsuit and J9 offsuit in spots where tighter ranges are mandatory. The adjustment? Raise bigger preflop and exploit their bloated, weak ranges postflop with aggressive continuation betting and double barreling. Hand #3 covers the infamous "donk bettor"—players who lead out inappropriately from the big blind on dry boards. These players are easy to read: when they check, they're often weak, giving you permission to go into bluff mode. Hand #4 introduces the "serial bluffer"—the kind of player who can't resist betting flop, turn, and river with air. The key exploit? Out of position check-raise your strong hands early to build the pot. In position, trap with hands that can take heat. Mike even references a complementary video on Lucid Poker's YouTube channel that expands on this exact concept, reinforcing the episode's focus on applying theory to real-world opponents. Finally, Hand #5 wraps things up with a look at passive players who fail to value bet thinly enough. These opponents can often be overfolded against when they show aggression and should be treated cautiously when you're considering a thin value bet. Packed with practical advice and counter-strategies, this poker strategy podcast episode is a must-listen for anyone who wants to move beyond generic advice and start making razor-sharp adjustments based on real player behavior. If you're serious about becoming more exploitative and maximizing EV, this is the poker strategy podcast episode that will help you get there.