Intermediate-Advanced Poker Cheat Sheet
Board Texture Awareness :
Different flops can be favorable for different ranges. Recognize “wet” boards (those with many draws) vs. “dry” boards (those with fewer draws). Adjust your bets and hand strength evaluation accordingly.
Balancing Your Range :
As you progress, your opponents might start to notice patterns in your play. It’s important to balance your strategy, mixing up your plays so that you don’t become too predictable. This means occasionally bluffing in spots where you usually have a strong hand and vice-versa.
Betting and 4-Betting :
Beyond the basics, understanding when to re-raise (3-bet) and when to re-raise a 3-bet (4-bet) can put immense pressure on your opponents. Develop a mixed strategy with value hands and bluffs in these ranges.
Bubble Play :
In tournaments, the “bubble” is the stage just before players start to make the money. Understand the dynamics of bubble play as players will adjust their strategies based on stack sizes and the desire to cash.
Understanding Player Types :
Recognize the different types of players – Tight Aggressive (TAG), Loose Aggressive (LAG), Tight Passive (TP), and Loose Passive (LP) – and adjust your strategies to exploit their tendencies.
Continuation Betting (C-Betting) :
After raising pre-flop, the act of betting on the flop (regardless of whether it improves your hand) is known as a continuation bet or c-bet. This bet capitalizes on the initiative you took pre-flop and can help you win pots even when you miss. Know when to c-bet for value and when to do it as a bluff, based on board texture and
your opponent’s perceived range.
Playing Draws :
When you have a hand that can potentially become strong, like a straight or
flush draw, it’s important to know how to play it. Consider factors like implied odds (potential future winnings) and whether you’re in position to decide whether to check, bet, or raise.
Pot Odds & Implied Odds :
Pot odds represent the ratio between the current size of the pot and
the cost of a contemplated call. They help you decide whether calling to complete a draw is profitable in the long run. Implied odds consider not just the money currently in the pot, but also potential future bets that you can win if you hit your draw.
Check-Raising :
This is a tactic where you check your hand with the intention of raising after an
opponent bets. It’s a deceptive play that can be used for both value and as a bluff, and is particularly effective when you expect your opponent to bet frequently.
Value Betting : This refers to making a bet with the intention of getting called by a worse hand.
Understanding the strength of your hand relative to the board and your opponent’s potential hands is key to effective value betting.
.Slow Playing : Instead of betting or raising with a strong hand, sometimes it’s effective to just
call (or check) to disguise the strength of your hand and encourage opponents to bet more on later streets. Be cautious, as overusing this tactic can be predictable and costly.
Effective Stack Size :
Always be aware of the effective stack size, which is the smaller of the
stacks between you and your opponent. It dictates the maximum amount that can be wagered in the hand and can influence post-flop strategies, especially in relation to the size of the pot.
Managing Tilt :
Emotional control is crucial in poker. Recognize when you’re feeling frustrated
or upset (“on tilt“) and consider taking a break. Playing while on tilt can lead to suboptimal decisions and loss of chips.
Setting Traps :
Sometimes, giving free cards or making small bets can entice opponents into
thinking they have the best hand or drawing to a better hand. Recognize when it’s beneficial to lay a trap and when it’s better to play straightforward.
Remember, poker is a game of information. The more you gather, analyze, and apply, the better decisions you’ll make and the more successful you’ll be. Continual learning and adapting to the dynamics of the game are what separate the good players from the great ones.
