Strategy in Poker

In this article, we will break down what a squeeze is in poker, the situations in which it works, which hands are suitable for it, how to choose the right bet size, and how not to turn this play into a source of losses.

In tournament poker, nearly every player goes through the same phase. At the start of an event, stacks are deep and the blinds are small, which means we have room to manoeuvre. But as the blinds rise, the tournament structure changes. A stack that felt comfortable just moments ago suddenly turns into a short stack.

Almost every player finds themselves in a situation sooner or later where they have to risk their entire stack. Sometimes this happens pre-flop with a strong hand, sometimes post-flop in the showdown of a large pot, and sometimes due to a short stack in a tournament.

ABI is a transition to a more disciplined and sustainable model of play. In this article, we will discuss how to calculate ABI and make tournament selection decisions not based on emotions, but according to a clear system.

In tournament poker, we frequently encounter situations where the standard logic of 'I'm ahead, so I should play' ceases to function. We might have a strong hand, good equity, and favourable pot odds, yet calling or pushing might still be a mistake in the long run.

In poker, we almost never make decisions against a particular hand. We're playing against a range—a set of combinations that the opponent could have reached at this point in the hand. And the higher the cost of the decision, the more important it is to understand how many strong hands the opponent may actually have.

Almost every player who begins to systematically study poker eventually encounters the term GTO — Game Theory Optimal — or the optimal strategy from a game theory perspective.

In poker, we constantly find ourselves in situations where we don't have a ready hand. We miss the flop, haven't improved on the turn, and the pot is already quite large — we want to win it. It's precisely in these moments that the main question arises — do we have the opportunity to win without revealing our cards?

In the early stages of poker, it's easy to get caught in the illusion that the cards you're dealt are everything. If we're dealt a strong hand, we win; if a weak one, we fold. At the beginning, it might feel like the outcome depends more on luck than on us.

Bluffing is one of the most romanticised aspects of poker. In films, it appears as a 'special state of mind'—the player just senses that the opponent will fold and makes a big bet. In real games, it works differently.

Poker is often romanticised: the key is to know how to bluff, make impressive moves, and win pots with sheer character. However, if you look at the charts of poker professionals, it becomes clear that money in poker is earned not through expensive and complex bluffs, but through methodical mathematically justified decisions.

A 4-bet is an action that leads poker players to the highest-stakes hands. The pot sharply increases, ranges become narrow, and the cost of a mistake is significantly higher.

The check-raise is one of the most controversial moves in poker. To some, it embodies strength and confidence, while to others, it represents a dangerous trap that one can easily fall into themselves. The truth is, a check-raise can be both.

Donk betting has a bad reputation. In the poker community, this move has long been considered a sign of weak play—a bet made without initiative against an aggressor seemed impulsive and lacking logic.

The 3-bet is one of the most crucial components in contemporary poker strategy. A player who understands how and why to use it gains an advantage in hands—claiming pots even before the flop, controlling the game structure, and boosting their expected value.

In poker tournaments, the size of mandatory bets, known as blinds, continually increases. Meanwhile, opponents frequently attempt to steal them with raises from late positions. If you don't defend the blinds, your stack will start to diminish even without participating in the big hands.

A strong hand in poker isn't a guaranteed win. It's not just about the cards you're holding, but how you play them. One strategy that can help secure victory is slow playing: deliberately passive play with a very strong hand.

Why playing without bluffing is a poor strategy

What mistakes do players make on the post-flop? How to bet correctly with a strong hand? We explain in this article.

What mistakes do players make pre-flop? How can you improve your push/fold strategy? We explain in the article.

The complete guide to exploits for micro-limit MTTs. We explore how to steal blinds, place large value bets, and punish limpers to maximise your profit.

Limping is the hallmark of a weak player. Discover why this is a glaring mistake, how to correctly execute an isolation raise, and which strategy will help you systematically take chips from passive opponents.

A complete guide to types of poker players. Learn what VPIP and PFR are, how to identify a nit, a recreational player, or a regular at the table, and how to exploit their weaknesses for maximum profit.

Why is position in poker more important than your cards? A complete guide for beginners: we explore early and late positions, learn to use the button, and turn your seat at the table into profit.

The complete guide to charts in poker. Learn how to "read" starting hand charts, make the right decisions pre-flop, and lay the foundation for a winning strategy.

What is the board in poker and how do you read it? A complete guide for beginners: we break down the types of boards (draws, dry, paired), learn to choose a strategy and avoid common mistakes.

Learn the winning C-bet strategy in poker from scratch. We cover the correct bet sizes, suitable situations, and common mistakes made by beginners when performing a C-bet on the flop.