Upswing Poker Level-Up

HAND RECAP (5 handed, final table, 100K/200K blinds - 200K BB ante) Viktor "Isildur1" Blom (14M chips) raises to 700K from the Small Blind with K♦ 4♠. Jesse Lonis (9.5M chips) calls from the Big Blind with A♠ 3♠. (Stack size notes: Blom and Lonis are in 2nd and 3rd chip position. The chip leader has 20M. There are two relatively short stacks.) The flop is 4♣ 4♥ 3♣. Blom bets 400K. Lonis calls. Turn 6♠. Blom bets 1.45M. Lonis calls. River Q♠. Blom bets 3.25M. Lonis folds. Get 33% off Aaron Barone's exclusive training content in the Upswing Lab during the WSOP Winners Sale* at https://upswingpoker.com/the-poker-lab-coaching *Expires when the 2024 WSOP Main Event ends! Watch the full final table at https://www.pokergo.com/ Written Version of This Episode 00:00 Introduction and Overview 01:29 Viktor Blom's Strategy from the Small Blind 03:21 Jesse Lonis's Big Blind Defense with Ace-Three 04:13 Flop Analysis: Viktor's Trips vs. Jesse's Pair 05:39 Turn Play: Analyzing the Six of Spades 07:09 River Decision: Queen of Spades and Viktor's Bet 11:03 Jesse's Tough River Call or Fold 14:30 Final Thoughts and Tournament Updates 15:31 Upswing Lab Promo and Conclusion In this episode of our poker strategy podcast, host Mike Brady is joined by tournament pro Aaron Barone to analyze a thrilling hand from the $50,000 buy-in tournament at the World Series of Poker (WSOP). With $2 million on the line for the winner, the stakes are incredibly high, and the episode offers listeners a front-row seat to a deep dive into the key decisions and strategies at play during this final table showdown. The discussion begins with the setup of the hand featuring Viktor Blom, known as "Isildur1," facing off against Jesse Lonis. With only five players left, each player has secured nearly $500,000, but all eyes are on the top prize. Viktor Blom, holding King-four offsuit, decides to apply pressure on Jesse Lonis, who holds Ace-three of spades in the big blind. The hosts explore the dynamics of this decision, emphasizing how Blom leverages his big stack to exploit the smaller stacks at the table. As the hand progresses, listeners are walked through the action from the flop to the river, where Blom's aggressive playstyle and calculated bets put Lonis in a challenging spot. The podcast highlights the complexities of tournament play, particularly in a final table setting, where decisions are influenced by Independent Chip Model (ICM) considerations, stack sizes, and the potential pay jumps. Mike and Aaron examine the critical turn and river decisions, discussing the nuances of continuation betting, sizing strategies, and the balancing act between value betting and bluffing. This poker strategy podcast offers insights into how elite players like Blom navigate high-pressure situations, using both fundamental principles and creative tactics to outmaneuver their opponents. Tune in to this poker strategy podcast to gain a deeper understanding of advanced tournament strategy, learn how to adjust your play based on varying stack sizes, and pick up practical tips to enhance your decision-making under pressure. Whether you're a seasoned pro or a recreational player looking to sharpen your skills, this episode provides valuable lessons from some of the game's top minds.

HAND RECAP (6 handed, final table, 125K/250K blinds - 250K BB ante) Ausmus (4.5M chips) raises to 500K from the Cutoff with A♥ Q♥. Only Reichard (3.2M chips) calls from the Big Blind with J♥ 8♣. (Stack size notes: Reichard is the shortest stack. Ausmus is one of the shorter stacks, but everyone besides the chip leader has fewer than 30 big blinds. The chip leader has around 18M.) Flop T♣ 3♣ 2♣. Reichard checks. Ausmus bets 300K. Reichard calls. Turn 7♠. Both players check. River 2♠. Reichard bets 2.1M into 2M. Ausmus calls with just Ace-high. Get access to Aaron Barone's exclusive training content in the Upswing Lab: https://upswingpoker.com/the-poker-lab-coaching Watch the full final table at https://www.pokergo.com/ Written Version of This Episode 00:00 Introduction to Tournament Tips 04:23 Tip 2: Defend Your Big Blind Often 08:42 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 21:06 Tip 7: Learn Basic Heads-Up Play In this episode of our poker strategy podcast, host Mike Brady presents seven critical tips to elevate your tournament poker game. Drawing from the expertise of Miikka Anttonen, a renowned Finnish poker player, this episode provides actionable insights to help you run deeper and play more confidently in poker tournaments. The podcast begins with Tip 1, focusing on raising frequently when the action folds to you. Mike explains why small raises, particularly with antes in play, can be highly profitable even with marginal hands, and how to adjust your raising range based on the tendencies of the players in the blinds. Listeners will learn the importance of understanding the math behind these moves and how to exploit different player types effectively. In Tip 2, the emphasis shifts to defending your big blind more often. Mike breaks down the pot odds calculations and explains why you should call more frequently, especially against smaller raises. He also discusses how to adjust your defense strategy in multi-way pots and why you should avoid over-defending against stronger opponents. Tip 3 highlights the dangers of three-bet bluffing with middling stacks, where Mike outlines which hands to choose for three-bet bluffs and why understanding stack size dynamics is crucial in these spots. Tip 4 continues with adjustments for deep stack play, where Mike recommends adopting a cash game-like approach to three-betting, focusing on a linear range to maintain balance and avoid predictability. The podcast also delves into smart continuation betting in Tip 5, where Mike offers guidance on when to bet, check, or fold based on the board texture and the ranges of both you and your opponent. Tip 6 emphasizes the importance of planning for future streets, advising players to think ahead about possible turn and river scenarios to avoid tricky spots and make better decisions Finally, Tip 7 encourages players to learn basic heads-up strategies, even if heads-up play is rare. Mike explains why being prepared for the final showdown is vital to securing the top prize in tournaments, underscoring the significance of understanding heads-up dynamics. This poker strategy podcast is packed with valuable tips for tournament players at all levels, offering practical advice on how to refine your strategy, exploit your opponents, and make smarter decisions to maximize your success. Tune in to learn how to level up your game and navigate the complexities of tournament poker with confidence.

HAND #1 (8 handed, in the money, blinds 10K/25K - 25K BB ante) Reard (740K stack) raises to 50K with Q♣ J♠ from middle position. Kornuth (2.2M stack) folds A♣ 9♥ from Small Blind. Deeb (990K stack) calls 6♠ 3♠ from Big Blind. Flop T♠ 9♣ 3♣. Deeb checks. Reard bets 45K. Deeb calls. Turn A♠. Deeb checks. Reard bets 135K. Deeb all-in for 645K effective. Reard folds. HAND #2 (7 handed, in the money, blinds 15K/30K - 30K BB ante) Bleznick (1.9M stack) calls in the Small Blind with A♣ Q♠. Schulman (1.6M stack) checks with 6♥ 2♣. Flop 9♥ 9♣ 4♣. Bleznick checks. Schulman bets 30K into 90K. Bleznick calls. Turn 7♥. Bleznick checks. Schulman bets 150K. Bleznick calls. River 5♥. Bleznick checks. Schulman bets 350K. Bleznick folds. Get access to Aaron Barone's exclusive training content in the Upswing Lab: https://upswingpoker.com/the-poker-lab-coaching Written Version of This Episode Watch the full final table at https://www.pokergo.com/ 00:00 Introduction and Overview 01:36 Evaluating Ace-Jack in the Big Blind 03:33 Analyzing Check Raise Decisions 04:56 Turn Play Strategy with Bluff Catchers 06:38 River Decisions and Stack Management 11:22 Hand 2: Ace-Ten Hand Analysis 19:11 Adjusting for Different Stack Sizes 25:36 Strategies for Final Table ICM Pressure 30:08 Conclusion and Future Episodes In this episode of our poker strategy podcast, hosts Mike Brady and Aaron Barone, a tournament poker pro and Upswing Poker coach, analyze two pivotal hands from a $1,500 buy-in six-max final table event at the World Series of Poker (WSOP). With over $400,000 up for grabs, they break down each street of these high-stakes hands, providing valuable insights on how to navigate critical decisions in a final table setting. The podcast begins with an in-depth analysis of the first hand, where a strong player raises under the gun with King-Queen offsuit. Aaron discusses why three-betting or folding is preferable over calling in this scenario, especially given the Independent Chip Model (ICM) pressure. The hosts debate the merits of different actions, from folding to calling and raising, while considering the pay jumps and stack dynamics at play. Next, the focus shifts to a hand involving Ace-Jack in the big blind, where the player faces a continuation bet on a tough board. Mike and Aaron explore whether check-raising or flatting is the optimal move, considering both the ICM dynamics and the overall strength of the hand in the context of the final table. They discuss the merits of disguise and balancing ranges, especially in situations where opponent behavior is unpredictable. As the episode continues, the hosts dive into advanced concepts such as leading with bluff catchers, stack management, and adjusting for different board textures. This poker strategy podcast offers a detailed breakdown of how to handle turn and river play, including when to slow play and when to induce bluffs, all while considering the high-pressure environment of a final table. The episode wraps up with a second hand analysis, featuring an Ace-Ten hand and a series of tough decisions regarding stack sizes and final table ICM pressure. Aaron provides insights into how to navigate these complex scenarios, offering listeners practical advice on adjusting their strategies for various tournament situations. Tune in to this poker strategy podcast to learn how to make the right moves under pressure and refine your approach to critical final table decisions. Whether you're a seasoned tournament pro or an aspiring grinder, this episode is packed with valuable lessons to help you elevate your game.

Let's analyze WSOP final table hands with over $400K on the line! Want to fast-track your tournament poker skills? Get in the Upswing Lab to get access to Aaron Barone's exclusive training content: https://upswingpoker.com/the-poker-lab-coaching/ Written Version of This Episode Event #12 $1,500 6-Max Payouts: 1st - $439K | 2nd - $293K | 3rd - $210K | 4th - $153K | 5th - $112K | 6th - $83K | 7th - 63K HAND #1 (7 players left 100K/200K blinds - 200K BB ante) Spasov raises to 400K from UTG w/ T♦ T♣. Dube folds K♦ Q♥ from UTG+1. Only Fan calls from BB with A♠ J♥. (Stack size notes: Spasov has 8M chips and is in 5th. Dube has 9M chips and is in 3rd. Fan has 11.5M chips and is in 2nd. There is a very short stack with 1.3M chips.) Flop J♣ T♠ 3♦. Fan checks. Spasov bets 350K. Fan calls. Turn 3♥. Fan leads for 500K. Spasov calls. River 2♦. Fan bets 850K. Spasov raises all-in for 4.45M. Fan calls. HAND #2 (5 players left 150K/300K blinds - 300K BB ante) Fan raises to 650K from the Button w/ A♣ 6♣. Spasov calls from the SB w/ 9♥ 8♥. Dube calls from the BB w/ 4♦ 2♦. (Stack size notes: Fan has 8M chips and is in 3rd. Spasov has 21M in chips and is in 2nd. Dube has 6M in chips and is in 4th. The shortest stack has 3M chips. Flop A♠ T♦ 5♠. Checks around. Turn J♦. Spasov bets 1.1M. Dube folds his straight+flush draw. Fan calls. River 8♣. Spasov bets 5.7M all-in (1.3x pot). Fan folds. Watch the full final table at https://www.pokergo.com/ 00:00 Introduction and Overview 02:52 Evaluating Ace-Jack in the Big Blind 04:54 Turn Play Strategy with Bluff Catchers 06:38 River Decisions and Stack Management 11:23 Hand 2: Ace-Ten Hand Analysis 19:12 Adjusting for Different Stack Sizes 25:36 Strategies for Final Table ICM Pressure 30:08 Conclusion and Future Episodes In this episode of our poker strategy podcast, hosts Mike Brady and special guest Aaron Barone, a tournament poker pro and Upswing Poker coach, analyze two pivotal hands from a $1,500 buy-in six-max final table event at the World Series of Poker (WSOP). With over $400,000 on the line for the winner, they break down each street of these critical hands, providing insights on how to navigate high-pressure situations at the final table. The podcast begins with a detailed examination of the first hand, featuring a tough decision by a player holding King-Queen offsuit under the gun. Aaron explains why three-betting or folding is generally preferable to flatting in this scenario, especially given the ICM (Independent Chip Model) pressure at the final table. The hosts also discuss the importance of understanding your opponent's range and the strategic implications of different betting decisions, such as how to disguise the strength of your hand and induce bluffs from opponents. Next, Mike and Aaron move on to analyze a hand involving Ace-Jack in the big blind, facing a continuation bet on a tricky board. They debate the merits of flatting versus check-raising, considering the potential benefits of slow-playing top pair in a final table environment. Aaron emphasizes how ICM considerations drastically alter the optimal play compared to a Chip EV (Expected Value) scenario, guiding players to a more conservative approach to maximize their chance of winning significant pay jumps. As they move through the analysis, the hosts explore advanced concepts such as leading with bluff catchers on certain turn cards, how board textures can impact betting strategy, and why sometimes small leads can induce bluffs or extract value from weaker hands. This poker strategy podcast episode is filled with practical takeaways on adjusting your play style based on stack sizes, opponent tendencies, and final table dynamics. Tune in to this episode to learn from the pros as they break down these high-stakes WSOP hands and provide actionable insights to help elevate your poker game. Whether you're an experienced tournament grinder or just getting started, this poker strategy podcast offers valuable lessons on how to make the right moves under pressure.

[REBROADCAST] Poker tournaments are a grind and you have to have a lot of different skills to succeed in them. Four time WPT champion Darren Elias joins Mike Brady in this episode of Upswing Poker Level-Up to share some tips for your tournament strategy. Darren's tournament master class Road to Victory is 30% off on UpswingPoker.com until the end of this week! Save even more by opting for a course bundle. Upgrade your skills now at https://upswingpoker.com/wsot-sale/ Darren created his advanced course in collaboration with his longtime friend Nick Petrangelo. Darren and Nick have combined for over $65 million in tournament earnings and they reveal the tactics that got them there in the Road to Victory course. Written Version of this Episode | Video Version of this Episode Subscribe to Upswing Poker on YouTube for Video Versions of These Episodes

This podcast reveals the truth about blockers in poker. Upgrade your tournament skills and save up to 51% during the World Series of Tournaments sale at Upswing Poker https://upswingpoker.com/wsot-sale/ Blockers are a fundamental part of poker strategy, but they're also one of the most misunderstood parts of poker strategy. Many players disregard blockers and leave money on the table. Other players over-value blockers in certain situations and flush money down the toilet as a result. ***CORRECTION 11:36*** Gary meant to say "where your opponent's FOLDING range is Jacks and Tens" (he mistakenly said calling) Article Version of this Episode 00:00 Introduction to Rake Strategy 02:14 Rake Structures Around the World 03:55 Adjusting Strategies for High Rake Games 05:14 Tightening Big Blind Defense in High Rake 08:31 Adjusting for Multi-Way Pots and Rake 13:14 Additional Tips for Playing in Raked Games 16:37 Conclusion and Final Thoughts 20:29 Importance of Chopping the Blinds In this episode of our poker strategy podcast, hosts Mike Brady and Gary Blackwood discuss the impact of rake on your game and how to adjust your strategy to beat it. Rake, the fee taken by the house from each pot, can significantly affect your profitability, especially in low-stakes games where the percentage of the pot taken can be quite high. Understanding how to adjust your play based on the rake structure is crucial for any serious poker player, whether you're playing live or online. The episode begins with an overview of different rake structures, from high-rake environments, where more than four big blinds are taken out of the pot, to low-rake games and even no-rake games, like home games or those with time-based seat fees. Mike and Gary explain how these different environments impact your pot odds and strategic incentives, emphasizing the need to adjust your strategy accordingly to avoid leaving money on the table. Listeners will learn how to tighten their ranges and adopt a more aggressive approach in high-rake games. Gary shares his tips for three-betting more frequently and trimming marginal hands from your defending range to counteract the impact of rake. The hosts also explore how to adjust when playing in low or no-rake games, allowing for a looser style and taking advantage of the extra equity available in these more favorable settings. This poker strategy podcast also covers the importance of understanding your opponents' tendencies and using this information to make more profitable decisions. Mike and Gary highlight the benefits of playing tighter in multi-way pots and discuss when to fold or adjust your strategies based on the rake and your opponents' actions. Finally, the hosts provide insights into additional adjustments you should make in different rake environments, such as chopping the blinds in high-rake games to minimize the money lost to the house. Whether you're grinding micro stakes online or playing in a home game with no rake, this episode provides practical advice to help you navigate any poker environment. Tune in to this poker strategy podcast to learn how to beat the rake and maximize your win rate with expert guidance from Mike and Gary.

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.