Upswing Poker Level-Up

They're taking your money. Here's what you can do about it. Upgrade your tournament skills and save up to 51% during the World Series of Tournaments sale at Upswing Poker https://upswingpoker.com/wsot-sale/ You may be surprised to learn that these different rake structures should impact the way you play. Put simply, when money is being taken out of the pot, your pot odds and strategic incentives change. If you’re playing the same regardless of the rake structure, you’re likely leaving money on the table. But you won’t make that mistake after finishing this episode. Written Version of this Episode 00:00 Introduction to Rake Strategy 02:16 Global Perspectives on High Rake 03:55 Adjustments for High Rake Games 05:11 Tight Aggressive Play in High Rake Environments 06:52 Defending Big Blind in High Rake Scenarios 08:30 Exploiting Low Rake and No Rake Games 11:20 Multi-Way Pot Adjustments in High Rake Games 13:13 Big Blind Defense in Multi-Way Pots 16:36 No Rake Strategies and Conclusion In this episode of our poker strategy podcast, hosts Mike Brady and Gary Blackwood tackle a critical yet often overlooked aspect of the game: the rake. Understanding how to adjust your strategy based on the rake structure is essential for any serious poker player, whether you’re grinding low-stakes cash games or playing in high-stakes tournaments. This episode is packed with practical tips and insights that will help you adapt to different rake environments, ensuring you don’t leave money on the table. The podcast begins with an overview of various rake structures, from high-rake environments where four or more big blinds are taken from the pot, to low-rake games where two big blinds or less are deducted. Gary shares his experiences from different poker scenes worldwide, highlighting how rake impacts the profitability of various games. He explains that understanding the specifics of the rake in your game is crucial, as it directly affects your pot odds and strategic decisions. Listeners will learn how to adjust their play in high-rake games, where adopting a tight-aggressive style can help mitigate the impact of the rake. Mike and Gary discuss why it’s often necessary to three-bet more frequently rather than calling, especially when facing raises. They also cover strategies for defending the big blind and the importance of trimming marginal hands from your defending range to avoid bleeding chips in high-rake settings. The episode also explores how to exploit low-rake or no-rake games, where you can afford to play a much looser style and take advantage of the extra equity available. Gary provides insights into adjusting your pre-flop ranges, defending more hands, and how to take full advantage of soft games with favorable rake conditions. This poker strategy podcast is a must-listen for anyone looking to optimize their game based on rake conditions. Whether you’re battling it out in a high-rake environment or enjoying the benefits of a low-rake home game, the insights shared in this episode will help you make smarter decisions and maximize your winnings. Tune in to learn how to beat the rake and level up your poker strategy with Mike and Gary.

This episode reveals 7 fundamental tips for poker tournaments that will help you run deep more often and play more confidently. The advice ranges from preflop tactics to postflop strategies. Pay close attention if you want to build bigger stacks and win tournaments! Want to upgrade your tournament skills with elite coaching? Save up to 51% on best-selling courses made by millionaire tournament pros during the World Series of Tournaments sale at UpswingPoker.com. Article Version of this Episode 00:00 Introduction to Tournament Tips 04:23 Tip 2: Defend Your Big Blind Often 08:41 Tip 3: Be Cautious with Three-Bet Bluffing 11:02 Tip 4: Adjust Your Three-Betting with Deep Stacks 13:21 Tip 5: Smart Continuation Betting 18:08 Tip 6: Plan for Future Streets 21:07 Tip 7: Learn Basic Heads-Up Play 23:24 Conclusion and Promotions In this episode of our poker strategy podcast, host Mike Brady shares seven essential tournament tips to help you make deeper runs and boost your confidence in competitive settings. Drawing insights from the teachings of Miikka Anttonen, a respected Finnish poker pro, this episode is packed with actionable strategies for every stage of the tournament, from early positioning to heads-up play. The episode starts with Tip 1: raising frequently when the action folds to you. Mike discusses the importance of leveraging small raises, especially when antes are in play, to build your stack efficiently. He explains why raising often can be profitable, even with marginal hands, and how to adjust based on the tendencies of opponents in the blinds. Listeners will learn the balance between aggression and caution, ensuring they remain unpredictable while maintaining a solid strategy. Moving on to Tip 2, Mike emphasizes the significance of defending your big blind more frequently. He breaks down the math behind pot odds and the value of calling with a wide range, especially against small raises. However, he cautions against over-defending, especially in multi-way pots, where hand strength can be deceiving. In Tip 3, the focus shifts to three-bet bluffing with middling stacks, where Mike outlines the types of hands that work best in this context and how to avoid costly mistakes when facing a four-bet shove. Tip 4 continues the theme of three-betting but adapts it to deep stack play, advocating a more cash-game-like approach with a merged range to maintain a balanced and unpredictable strategy. The podcast further explores continuation betting in Tip 5, where Mike advises against betting every hand on every board. Instead, he encourages players to consider factors like range advantage and opponent tendencies to craft more effective continuation bet strategies. Tip 6 highlights the importance of planning for future streets, emphasizing the need for a solid game plan to avoid tricky spots and capitalize on favorable scenarios. Finally, Tip 7 dives into the often overlooked but crucial aspect of heads-up play. Mike explains why even a basic understanding of heads-up strategy can lead to significant pay jumps in tournaments, underscoring the importance of preparation This poker strategy podcast provides a comprehensive guide to mastering tournament play, helping you refine your strategy, stay ahead of the competition, and ultimately aim for those top prizes. Tune in, learn, and level up your poker game with these proven tournament tactics.

You must make strategic adjustments, both before and after the flop, when there’s a straddle in play. Otherwise, you're simply leaving money on the table. Pots are much bigger and stacks will be flying back and forth, so it’s critical you get this close to right in-game. Want to improve your tournament skills? Save up to 51% on best-selling courses made by millionaire tournament pros during the World Series of Tournaments sale at UpswingPoker.com Written Version of this Episode 00:00 Introduction to Straddle Strategy 01:19 Adjusting Pre-Flop Raise Sizes with a Straddle 02:31 Playing in Games with Variable Straddles 03:18 Tightening Pre-Flop Ranges in Straddled Pots 04:22 Example Pre-Flop Ranges for Straddle Situations 06:31 Post-Flop Strategy Adjustments with a Straddle 07:49 Short Stack Adjustments in Straddle Games 09:15 Final Thoughts and Promotions In this episode of our poker strategy podcast, hosts Mike Brady and Gary Blackwood dive deep into the art of playing effectively when there's a straddle in play. The straddle is a common but often misunderstood move in both live and online poker games, where a player voluntarily puts in a blind bet, effectively doubling the stakes and creating unique dynamics that can significantly impact your strategy. Mike and Gary explore the key adjustments you need to make pre-flop and post-flop to maximize your profits when facing a straddle, offering insights that apply to both cash games and tournaments. The episode begins by explaining the different types of straddles and their impact on gameplay. Gary highlights the importance of adjusting your pre-flop raise sizes when a straddle is in play. He recommends reducing your open size, much like you would in a deep-stack tournament, to compensate for the effective reduction in stack depth caused by the straddle. This poker strategy podcast also covers the need to tighten your opening ranges, particularly when you have more players to worry about behind you who are more likely to defend their blinds or three-bet aggressively. Listeners will gain practical advice on how to adjust their strategy based on the specific type of straddle they are facing, whether it's a standard under-the-gun straddle, a Mississippi straddle, or other variations. The hosts discuss the importance of playing tighter and stronger ranges, particularly in high-stakes games where stacks are deep, and the straddle has a more pronounced effect on effective stack size. They also explore the differences between playing in games with static and variable straddles, offering tips on how to navigate these dynamic environments. As the conversation progresses, Mike and Gary delve into post-flop strategy adjustments. They discuss why continuation bet sizes should generally be smaller when a straddle is in play and how to make the most of your positional advantage. This poker strategy podcast also addresses the challenges of playing with shorter stacks due to the straddle, offering tips for maneuvering in these situations and maximizing your skill edge over less experienced opponents. Tune in to this episode to learn how to effectively adjust your game when a straddle is in play, capitalize on opponents' mistakes, and enhance your overall poker strategy. Whether you're a cash game regular or a tournament grinder, this poker strategy podcast provides valuable insights to help you dominate in straddle situations.

This podcast will help you win more money with hands like pocket aces, kings and queens! Poker pro Gary Blackwood shares his top 5 tips for playing overpairs in No Limit Hold’em. These tips will help you get better results with your strong overpairs like Aces on a King-high flop, as well as your vulnerable overpairs like Pocket Eights on a Seven-high flop. Get Gary Blackwood’s master class on making money with overpairs inside the Upswing Lab training course. Use coupon code LEVELUP to get $50 off at: https://upswingpoker.com/the-poker-lab-coaching Written Version of this Episode 00:00 Introduction to Overpairs Strategy 03:08 Tip 2: Adjusting Strategy Based on Position 04:55 Tip 3: The Ladder Effect in Bet Frequency 07:55 Tip 4: Responding to Check Raises with Overpairs 09:25 Tip 5: Overpair Strategy in Four-Bet Pots 12:24 Advanced Play: Small Raise in Four-Bet Pots 14:42 Tangent: Differentiating Between Rainbow and Flush Draw Boards 16:19 Final Thoughts and Course Promotion In this episode of our poker strategy podcast, hosts Mike Brady and Gary Blackwood delve into the intricacies of playing overpairs in No-Limit Hold'em cash games. Overpairs like pocket aces, kings, and queens can be incredibly profitable, but only if you know how to navigate the various scenarios that arise during gameplay. Gary, a seasoned poker pro, shares his top five tips to help you maximize your earnings and minimize your losses with overpairs in single-raised pots, three-bet pots, and even four-bet pots. The podcast begins with a discussion on playing overpairs in single-raised pots, where the stack-to-pot ratio is high, and board texture plays a crucial role. Gary explains why you should often check your strongest overpairs on unfavorable boards to avoid overcommitting in tricky situations. He introduces the concept of the "ladder effect," explaining why lower overpairs, such as eights or nines, should be bet more frequently than higher ones like aces, which require less protection from overcards. Next, the hosts explore how your position—whether you're in or out—affects your betting strategy with overpairs. Mike uses the Lucid GTO trainer to demonstrate how bet sizes and frequencies should change based on your position, showing that checking more frequently out of position helps build a balanced and unexploitable strategy. Listeners will also learn how to play overpairs effectively in three-bet pots by adopting a robust check-raising strategy, especially when out of position. Gary discusses why it's often correct to play aggressively with hands like queens and jacks in tighter three-bet scenarios but to avoid doing so in looser, single-raised pots where the ranges are wider. The episode then moves into four-bet pot strategies, where the stack-to-pot ratio is much smaller, and players are generally more willing to get all the money in with their overpairs. Gary outlines when to shove and when to use smaller raises, depending on the board texture and the strength of your hand. This poker strategy podcast is packed with actionable insights, perfect for anyone looking to refine their approach to playing overpairs. Tune in, learn from the experts, and take your cash game strategy to the next level with tips that are sure to improve your performance at the table.

What separates a great poker player from a good poker player is often bet sizing. Knowing how to size your bets like a studied pro allows you to make more money with your strong hands and run more effective bluffs.  This episode of Upswing Poker Level-Up will help you improve your bet sizing skills with 3 example situations posed as quiz questions. In all of these spots, you will play as the in position player who 3-bet before the flop. Upgrade your poker game by practicing against a “perfect” opponent who gives you instant feedback with the Lucid GTO Trainer. Get it now at: https://upswingpoker.com/lucid-gto-trainer/ Written Version of this Episode 00:00 Introduction and Overview 02:53 Strategies for Betting in Position vs. Out of Position 06:52 Hypothetical Hand #2: Playing Ace-Queen Offsuit on an Ace-King-Three Board 09:44 Optimal Bet Sizes on Dynamic Flops 12:22 Dealing with Overpairs and Top Pairs on Draw-Heavy Boards 13:42 Adjusting Strategy for Different Textures and Opponents 15:25 Use of Tools for Board Analysis In this episode of our poker strategy podcast, hosts Mike Brady and Gary Blackwood present a unique bet-sizing quiz designed to test your decision-making skills in various cash game scenarios. This interactive episode features three hypothetical hands, each set in three-bet pots where you are in position, allowing listeners to explore different strategies and refine their approach to post-flop play The podcast begins with an analysis of the first hypothetical hand: playing pocket queens on a 7-2-2 board. Gary explains why betting big with strong hands like overpairs is crucial in these spots, especially in position, and highlights the common mistakes players make when choosing their bet sizes. Listeners will learn the importance of adjusting bet sizes based on their opponent’s range and the board's texture, ensuring they maximize value and control the pot The discussion then moves to the second hypothetical hand, where the hosts break down playing Ace-Queen offsuit on an Ace-King-Three board. This scenario illustrates when to bet small to maintain a balanced strategy and capitalize on opponents' frequent folds. Gary provides insights into how bet sizing should change when you're out of position and why it’s critical to consider the effectiveness of your bets when your opponent's range is wide or narrow. In the final hand, the hosts tackle a ten-seven-four board with pocket queens, emphasizing the need to balance checkbacks and betting ranges effectively. This poker strategy podcast covers why overpairs should not always be bet, explaining how to protect your checking range and keep opponents from exploiting your weaknesses. Throughout the episode, Mike and Gary utilize tools like the Lucid GTO Trainer to provide a deeper understanding of board textures, bet sizing, and positional dynamics. This poker strategy podcast is perfect for players looking to elevate their cash game skills by learning how to optimize bet sizing and improve their decision-making process in various post-flop situations. Tune in, participate in the quiz, and see if you can match wits with the pros while enhancing your overall poker strategy.

[REBROADCAST]  Splashy live poker games with lots of action are incredibly profitable. But they can be incredibly frustrating too, especially if you don't know how to adjust your strategy for maximum profit. In this episode of Upswing Poker Level-Up, Mike Brady and Gary Blackwood cover the most critical adjustments that you must make when playing in loose, splashy live poker games. Sign up for the new Lucid GTO Cash Game Trainer to upgrade your poker game by practicing against a perfect opponent! https://upswingpoker.com/lucid-waitlist/ Written Version of this Episode | Video Version of this Episode Subscribe to Upswing Poker on YouTube for Video Versions of These Episodes

You're about to level-up your poker game with money making counter-strategies from a high stakes pro. WSOP bracelet winner Alex Vuilleumier joins the podcast to share his top 3 exploits that you can use against weaker players. Alex just released two courses on Upswing Poker. The first is called Precision Poker and its Alex’s master class on how to study poker. He teaches how to build your own game using modern tools and train your skills with mental exercises. If you get Precision Poker during by this Friday (Feb. 16), you’ll also get his second course Exploit & Conquer ($299) for free. The lion’s share of Exploit & Conquer is all about how to exploit the 62 most common mistakes players make at the table. Sneak a peek inside both courses at https://upswingpoker.com/precision-poker-mastering-methodology/ Episode Transcription 00:00 Introduction and Overview 03:23 Adjusting Bet Sizes for Maximum Value 05:25 Exploiting Inelastic Ranges Post-Flop 07:48 Creative Overbets and Check-Raise Tactics 09:07 Insights on Poker Soft Skills 10:40 Course Overview: Precision Poker and Exploit and Conquer 12:19 Enhancing Productivity and Study Efficiency 13:20 Folding Versus Creativity: Recognizing Genuine Strength In this episode of our poker strategy podcast, hosts Mike Brady and guest Alex Vuilleumier, a Chess International Master turned high-stakes poker pro, dive deep into three powerful money-making tactics that can help you dominate at the tables. Alex, with his impressive accomplishments, including a WSOP bracelet and over $2.2 million in live tournament earnings, shares his unique insights into exploiting common leaks and maximizing your edge against weaker players. The discussion begins with pre-flop strategies, where Alex reveals effective exploits to use against recreational players. He emphasizes the importance of isolating these weaker opponents to maximize post-flop play. Alex explains how to three-bet strategically and even suggests over-limping marginal hands to keep recreational players in the pot. This approach helps create scenarios where the most significant mistakes are made, allowing you to capitalize on their inelastic tendencies. Next, Alex dives into post-flop tactics, focusing on how to attack recreational players' inelastic ranges. He shares his strategy of using exaggerated bet sizes with strong hands and very small bets with weaker hands to exploit players who don't adjust their ranges based on bet size. This poker strategy podcast highlights the importance of reading opponents’ tendencies and leveraging that information to maximize value. As the conversation continues, Mike and Alex discuss the balance between exploiting weaker players and avoiding leaving yourself open to counter-exploitation by regulars. Alex provides tips on adjusting your game when faced with more challenging opponents, emphasizing the importance of maintaining flexibility and readiness to adapt to various scenarios. This poker strategy podcast is a must-listen for anyone looking to sharpen their skills, learn effective exploits, and elevate their game to the next level. Whether you're playing live or online, Alex’s insights will provide the tools needed to exploit your opponents and increase your winnings. Tune in to gain a deeper understanding of advanced poker strategies and hear about Alex’s exciting new courses, "Precision Poker" and "Exploit and Conquer," designed to help you master the game.

The river is when the pot is at its biggest. That means good plays are heavily rewarded and mistakes are magnified. In this episode of Upswing Poker Level-Up, you'll learn how to improve your strategy on the river so you make better decisions on this extremely consequential street. Poker pro Gary Blackwood shares his 5 most valuable tips for playing the river alongside Mike Brady. If you want your bluffs to work more often and your strong hands to bring in as many chips as possible, listen closely to tips #3 and 5. Episode Transcription Upswing Poker is almost ready to release its game-changing poker tool. Sign up for the waitlist for the upcoming Lucid GTO Trainer at https://upswingpoker.com/lucid-waitlist/  00:00 Introduction to River Strategy 02:26 Example: Value Betting with Pocket Fours 04:11 Tip 2: Bluffing and Vacuuming Small Pots 06:53 Combining Thin Value Bets with Bluffs 08:21 Tip 3: Using Blockers in Big Pots 11:51 Tip 4: Calling the River – When to Overfold or Call Wide 13:44 Tip 5: Splitting Your Range on the River 16:39 Examples of Small and Big Bet Ranges 19:54 Conclusion and Final Thoughts In this episode of our poker strategy podcast, hosts Mike Brady and Gary Blackwood break down five essential tips for playing the river, the most crucial street in poker. The river is where the pot size is at its peak, and every decision carries the potential for maximum reward or severe penalty. By mastering these advanced river strategies, you can ensure that your strong hands extract maximum value, your bluffs are executed with precision, and you minimize mistakes that could cost you chips. The episode begins with a discussion on betting thinner for value, where Gary explains the importance of making light value bets even with hands that might feel too weak in certain scenarios. He emphasizes how many players leave money on the table by not betting hands like second, third, or even fourth pairs when they should be looking for every bit of value. Mike and Gary provide examples that illustrate when and how to bet these hands to get paid by weaker hands. Next, the hosts delve into the art of bluffing on the river, especially in small pots. They share insights on when to use bigger bet sizes to pressure opponents with weak holdings and how to pick spots for bluffing with hands that have little showdown value. By combining thin value bets with well-timed bluffs, you can create a dynamic and balanced strategy that keeps opponents guessing. The discussion continues with a focus on blockers in large pots. Gary highlights when to consider blockers in three-bet or four-bet pots to increase the success rate of your bluffs or maximize the value of your strong hands. The hosts then explore the concept of calling the river correctly, advising players to call more often in smaller pots while tightening up in bigger pots to exploit common player tendencies. Finally, the episode wraps up with a deep dive into range splitting on the river. Mike and Gary explain how to use different bet sizes to achieve balance, ensuring that your river strategy is unpredictable and challenging for opponents to counter. By mixing up small and large bet sizes, you can effectively manage your equity and put pressure on your opponents in various situations. This poker strategy podcast is packed with advanced tactics for river play, making it a must-listen for anyone looking to improve their game. Tune in to learn how to make better decisions on the river, balance your ranges effectively, and optimize your play for maximum profitability with insights from Mike and Gary.

Let's analyze some poker hands! Upswing Lab members submitted hands to be reviewed on the Level-Up podcast and we chose 3 particularly interesting ones to go over. Hand #1 features analysis from the upcoming Lucid GTO Trainer tool. Hands #2 and #3 are straight-up street poker! The hands are recapped below (with no spoilers) to help you follow along. Sign up for the Lucid GTO Trainer waitlist at https://upswingpoker.com/lucid-waitlist/ Episode Transcription   **Hand #1** $0.50/$1 on GGPoker. $131 stacks. Simon raises to $2.50 with T♥ 9♥. The Button 3-bets to $9. Simon calls. Flop: Q♦ 8♦ 6♣ - Simon checks. Button bets $12 into $19. Simon raises to $29. Button calls. Turn: K♦ - Simon bets $25 into $77. Button calls. River: 2♣ - Simon all-in for $67 into $125.    **Hand #2** $2/$5 Live Cash Game. $2,500 Effective Stacks Note: A King was exposed & mucked preflop. UTG+1 raises to $15. Button 3-bets to $60. Sam 4-bets to $200 with 8♠ 8♥. Both call Flop: K♦ K♣ J♠ - Sam bets $100. UTG+1 calls. Button folds.   Turn: 9♥ - Sam bets $550 into $800. UTG+1 calls. River: 9♣ - Sam all-in for $1,650 into $1,900.   **Hand #3** $1/$3 Live Cash Game. $290 Effective Stacks David is in the Hijack with K♥ Q♣ UTG+1 limps. David raises to $20. Button and Big Blind call. UTG+1 folds. Flop: Q♥ 7♥ 3♥ - Big Blind leads $55 into $60. David calls.  Turn: K♦ - Big Blind bets $145 into $175. David all-in for $225.    00:00 Introduction to Hand Analysis 03:30 Flop Analysis: Queen-Eight-Six with Two Diamonds 05:18 Evaluating Turn Play with Double Gutshot 08:06 River Bluff Decision with Ten High 12:17 Hand 2: Pocket Eights in a Deep Stack Live Game 18:13 Navigating the King-King-Jack Flop 21:52 Analyzing Turn and River Play in Deep Stacks 27:38 Hand 3: King-Queen of Hearts in Live Play 35:38 Results and Lessons Learne In this special episode of our poker strategy podcast, hosts Mike Brady and Gary Blackwood take a deep dive into hand analysis, breaking down some of the most challenging spots submitted by our listeners. The episode kicks off with a detailed review of a hand where a player went all-in with ten high, navigating complex decisions on every street. As Mike and Gary walk through the action, they provide valuable insights into when to bluff, when to call, and how to maximize your edge in similar situations. Listeners will get a front-row seat to advanced discussions on four-betting ranges, leveraging solvers, and understanding opponent tendencies to gain an advantage. The hosts explore hands involving tricky board textures, tough turn decisions, and river spots where bluffing or folding might be the optimal play. They also touch on psychological aspects of the game, such as how to handle pressure and stay disciplined when making big moves. Whether you're an online grinder or a live poker enthusiast, this poker strategy podcast will elevate your game by showcasing real-world examples that demonstrate both the art and science of poker. Mike and Gary highlight the importance of balancing aggression with calculated risk, and they discuss why sometimes unconventional plays—like going all-in with ten high—can be the most profitable strategy. Tune in to this poker strategy podcast for an engaging and educational experience. Learn how to refine your decision-making process, develop a deeper understanding of poker theory, and sharpen your skills for your next session at the tables. Don’t miss this chance to gain invaluable insights from two seasoned pros as they dissect each hand and reveal the strategies that can make or break your game.

Get in on the biggest sale of the year on UpswingPoker: https://upswingpoker.com/advanced-poker-training/ Playing your strong hands aggressively is usually the best way to maximize profit in poker. Generally speaking, fast playing equals more money, but you are about to discover three situations where you'll actually make more money by slow-playing with Pocket Aces in both tournaments and cash games from Level-Up Host Mike Brady and poker pro Gary Blackwood. Episode Transcription 00:00 Introduction to Slow Playing Pocket Aces 02:25 Tournament Strategies for Slow Playing Pocket Aces 04:09 Applying Slow Play Tactics to Short Stack Situations 06:14 Slow Playing Pocket Aces: In and Out of Position 09:46 Solver Insights: When to Slow Play Pocket Aces 10:59 Slow Playing on the Flop After Pre-Flop Trapping 13:54 Situations for Slow Playing on Different Board Textures 15:38 Adjusting Strategy in Tournament Settings 17:54 Conclusion and Black Friday Promotion In this episode of our poker strategy podcast, hosts Mike Brady and Gary Blackwood explore the art of slow-playing pocket aces, a strategy that can be both highly effective and profitable when used correctly. While most players are taught to play their strongest hands aggressively, there are specific situations where slow-playing aces can maximize your earnings by luring opponents into bigger pots. This episode reveals three key scenarios—applicable to both cash games and tournaments—where slow-playing pocket aces becomes the optimal strategy. The discussion begins with an overview of the fundamental principles of slow-playing pocket aces, emphasizing the importance of stack-to-pot ratio (SPR). Gary explains that when the SPR is low, such as when you’re in position facing a four-bet or a three-bet with pocket aces, slow-playing can allow you to build a larger pot on later streets without scaring away your opponents. Listeners will gain insights into how to apply this tactic in cash games, where maintaining a low SPR ensures you can comfortably commit your stack post-flop without overplaying your hand pre-flop. Mike and Gary also discuss specific tournament scenarios, including how to slow-play aces when dealing with shorter stacks or against aggressive opponents. They explain why it’s often better to trap rather than raise in spots where the SPR allows for easy commitment on future streets. This poker strategy podcast also covers how to navigate different board textures, such as low-connected boards or high paired boards, and when to continue slow-playing aces on the flop versus when to shift to a more aggressive approach. As the episode progresses, the hosts delve into advanced solver-based strategies, explaining when and why the solver recommends mixing slow plays even when you’re out of position or in deeper stacked scenarios. Gary provides real-world examples from his experience, demonstrating how and when to deviate from the standard aggressive play to maximize value against specific opponents. This poker strategy podcast is an essential listen for anyone looking to deepen their understanding of slow-playing pocket aces. Tune in to learn how to execute this strategy effectively, gain the maximum value from your premium hands, and elevate your overall game with insights from Mike and Gary.