Have you ever wondered whether that monotone flop is better for you or for your opponent? Who has more flushes? Who has more nut flush draws? What sizings should you use to c-bet? 

In this new cash game module, Tim Jenkins helps Upswing Lab members understand:

• How to play monotone flops as the preflop aggressor
• How to defend properly against postflop aggression
• And so much more

Members will learn:

• How ranges change in 3-bet pots on monotone boards
• What exploits work best on these flops
• How to adjust your play when opponents aren’t playing these flops correctly.

Condensed into about two hours of video content, this module is easily watchable in a single day! 

Scroll down for a sneak peek of the module!

What’s Inside the New Module 

Module Length: 2 hours and 2 Minutes

• Playing In-Position Versus the Big Blind

Tim gets the module started by looking at how the solver likes to c-bet when facing a Big Blind defender in a single raised pot. To understand how to exploit our opponents we first need to look at the theoretical approach and understand why the solver likes to do what it does. 

• Big Blind Facing C-bet 

After looking at how we should attack the Big Blind with c-bets, we now flip the script and study how the Big Blind likes to respond to aggression from the in position player. 

Scroll down for a video preview from this section of the module!

• Turn Barreling 

Over the next couple of videos in the module, Tim looks at a variety of turn cards and details how certain cards affect our strategy. How do we play when a fourth flush card hits? What about an offsuit ace? Having a notion of how you will adjust your play on future streets is a critical component of a strong poker strategy. 

• Bet-Check Lines 

To barrel or not to barrel? Tim runs through a variety of situations where checking back the turn makes a lot of sense, giving viewers an understanding of not only when to bet, but when to stop betting. Understand why the solver likes to barrel, as well as the reasons it likes to check back and see the river. 

• Playing 3-Bet Pots

Over the next few videos in the module, Tim adjusts ranges to reflect a 3-bet pot and shows just how different play becomes on monotone flops. Learn who has the nut and range advantage on these boards, and how the solver likes to attack when ranges narrow. You may be surprised how different our strategy becomes!

• Potential Exploits

Now that we’ve learned the theory behind monotone boards, it’s time to look at exploits! Learn what common mistakes your opponents are making on these boards, and how you can exploit them to win the max. Tim always does a great job of showing viewers how to take the theoretical knowledge from solvers and use it to exploit opponents in-game, and this video is no exception. 

Sneak Peak Video

Join the Lab now to upgrade your game with Gary’s new module and 90+ others!

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: How much does the module cost, and what do I get?

This module is free with an Upswing Lab Subscription ($99/month), and has over 3 hours of content covering how to utilize your range and nut advantage to put maximum pressure on your opponents.

Q: What else do I get with the Upswing Lab?

You’ll get access to our massive catalog of 100+ modules, our members-only discussion group, and weekly new content filled with cutting-edge strategies from our elite coaches. Learn from Doug Polk, Gary Blackwood, David Yan, ALLinPAV, and our other amazing coaches as you level up your game one module at a time!

Q: Do you offer a free trial?

We do not offer a free trial. However, you can try the Lab risk-free with our “All-In” 30-day money-back guarantee. If you aren’t satisfied, contact our support team and we’ll make it right.

We know if you go through just a small part of everything you get when you join Lab, you’ll see improvements with your game, whether you’re a beginner, amateur or experienced reg.

And because of our faith in the content, we’re willing to back up your Lab membership with a 30-day money-back guarantee.

Q: What types of poker does the Lab cover?

The Lab covers ALL forms of No Limit Hold’em.

This includes strategy for tournaments, 6-max and 9-handed cash games, Zoom games, and live poker.

Q: Why should I take this Upswing Lab course?

Whether you’re a beginner, an advanced player, or somewhere in between, the Lab has a wealth of information that will help you improve your skills and, most importantly, your bottom line.

We’ve been adding new content to the Lab on a weekly basis for more than 3 years, and you get access to all of it when you join.

Q: Does the Lab contain valuable content for advanced players?

Short answer: Yes, there are many advanced sections and videos in the Lab.

Long answer: When the Lab was released in 2016, the focus was on helping beginner and intermediate poker players. However, the course has been getting progressively more advanced as new content is added every month.

If you’re an advanced player, you will likely find the earliest section of the Lab to be too fundamental, but all you have to do is skip that section to find the super valuable content you’re looking for.

Note: Poker players like you are improving their skills every day in the Upswing Lab training course and community. Don’t get left in the dust. Learn more now!

The post Play Monotone Flops Like a Pro! (New Lab Module) appeared first on Upswing Poker.

In this module, Tim shows Upswing Lab members the top exploits he’s used to make hundreds of thousands of dollars throughout his poker career. Whether you think your opponents are too aggressive, too passive, call too much, or fold too much, this module will give you the answers to exploiting them. 

When you understand how your opponents are playing, you can adjust your strategy radically to make the most money possible. Don’t miss out on this one!

Scroll down for a sneak peak from the module!

What’s Inside the New Module 

Module Length: 1 hour and 40 Minutes

• RFI Adjustments

In this section, Tim explains how to adjust our button opening range based on how the players in the blinds play. We should be opening wider if the Big Blind player is too passive, but open tighter if the Big Blind is over-bluffing with their 3-bets. Exploits play a factor from the very first decision we make in every hand!

• In Position 3-betting

Learn which hand classes play best against certain opponents, and how to adjust your overall range with this exploit. Against opponents who don’t fold enough to 3-bets, our strong value hands like 99+ and AK benefit heavily from 3-betting. While against players who over-fold, these hands suffer. Learn how to play heavy value hands, merged value hands, and polarized bluffs versus opens in this section!

• Playing Vs Wide Cold Callers

In live poker games where a single open can get 5-6 callers to every flop, it’s important to understand how our ranges should change when we’re getting called all over the place. In this section, Tim explains what kinds of hands play best multiway, and how we should adjust to a table full of calling stations. 

• Adjusting to Rake

This section is dedicated to understanding rake and its factor on how many hands we should play, and when we should choose to enter a pot. Learn the different rake structures of various casinos, cardrooms, and online sites, and understand how these structures affect your preflop strategy. 

• Facing Players Who Donk Bet

To donk or not to donk? This is the age-old question of a low-stakes cash game player. In this section, Tim breaks down how to tell a “dishonest” donk-bettor from an “honest” donk-bettor, and gives an in-depth breakdown on responding to donk-bets. 

Scroll down for a video preview from this section of the module!

• Facing Players Who Under Check-Raise

Most players at low-mid stakes are not protecting their checking range enough (they check-raising way too passively)! Don’t skip this last section of the module, where Tim breaks down one of the most important exploitative concepts you’ll ever learn!

Sneak Peak Video

Join the Lab now to upgrade your game with Gary’s new module and 90+ others!

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: How much does the module cost, and what do I get?

This module is free with an Upswing Lab Subscription ($99/month), and has over 3 hours of content covering how to utilize your range and nut advantage to put maximum pressure on your opponents.

Q: What else do I get with the Upswing Lab?

You’ll get access to our massive catalog of 100+ modules, our members-only discussion group, and weekly new content filled with cutting-edge strategies from our elite coaches. Learn from Doug Polk, Gary Blackwood, David Yan, ALLinPAV, and our other amazing coaches as you level up your game one module at a time!

Q: Do you offer a free trial?

We do not offer a free trial. However, you can try the Lab risk-free with our “All-In” 30-day money-back guarantee. If you aren’t satisfied, contact our support team and we’ll make it right.

We know if you go through just a small part of everything you get when you join Lab, you’ll see improvements with your game, whether you’re a beginner, amateur or experienced reg.

And because of our faith in the content, we’re willing to back up your Lab membership with a 30-day money-back guarantee.

Q: What types of poker does the Lab cover?

The Lab covers ALL forms of No Limit Hold’em.

This includes strategy for tournaments, 6-max and 9-handed cash games, Zoom games, and live poker.

Q: Why should I take this Upswing Lab course?

Whether you’re a beginner, an advanced player, or somewhere in between, the Lab has a wealth of information that will help you improve your skills and, most importantly, your bottom line.

We’ve been adding new content to the Lab on a weekly basis for more than 3 years, and you get access to all of it when you join.

Q: Does the Lab contain valuable content for advanced players?

Short answer: Yes, there are many advanced sections and videos in the Lab.

Long answer: When the Lab was released in 2016, the focus was on helping beginner and intermediate poker players. However, the course has been getting progressively more advanced as new content is added every month.

If you’re an advanced player, you will likely find the earliest section of the Lab to be too fundamental, but all you have to do is skip that section to find the super valuable content you’re looking for.

Note: Poker players like you are improving their skills every day in the Upswing Lab training course and community. Don’t get left in the dust. Learn more now!

The post Master Common Poker Exploits With This New Upswing Lab Module! appeared first on Upswing Poker.

While Gary’s previous modules often focus on broad concepts, in this module he treats us to an in depth look at 2 specific boards, giving Upswing Lab members a real understanding of optimal double barreling frequencies, sizes, and combos. If your baseline strategy is lacking after the flop, you won’t want to miss this one.

Scroll down for a sneak peak from the module!

What’s Inside the New Module 

Module Length: 5 hours and 15 minutes

• 8-4-3 with a Flush Draw (Button vs Big Blind) 

While it’s rare that you’ll run into this exact flop when playing Button vs Big Blind, looking at specific boards within the solver does much more than give us a copy/paste strategy. Gary helps us really understand why the solver chooses to do different things across a variety of turns, allowing us to apply its strategies across a variety of flops and turns.  

• Q-5-4 Rainbow (Button vs Big Blind)

After looking in-depth at a low connected board, Gary switches things up with a dryer texture. We learn the dynamics of high card rainbow boards, as well as the importance of looking at how the low cards connect, and how that impacts our barreling strategy. 

Scroll down for a video preview from this section of the module!

• UTG vs Big Blind Overview

Gary then takes a look at how our strategy shifts when ranges tighten in an Under the Gun vs Big Blind dynamic. You’ll notice how the solver tends to choose barreling combos for the same reasons, allowing for broader application. 

• Playing as the Big Blind

In his final two videos, Gary flips the module on its head and looks at Big Blind’s turn strategy facing double barrels from the In Position player. In order to understand our own barreling strategy we have to understand the correct defense, and this part of the module really helps to tie everything together. Upon completion, you should have a deeper understanding of solver turn strategies, and be able to immediately implement some broad ideas into your game! 

Join the Lab now to upgrade your game with Gary’s new module and 90+ others!

Frequently Asked Questions 

Q: How much does the module cost, and what do I get?

This module is free with an Upswing Lab Subscription ($99/month) and has over 3 hours of content covering how to utilize your range and nut advantage to put maximum pressure on your opponents.

Q: What else do I get with the Upswing Lab?

You’ll get access to our massive catalog of 100+ modules, our members-only discussion group, and weekly new content filled with cutting-edge strategies from our elite coaches. Learn from Doug Polk, Gary Blackwood, David Yan, ALLinPAV, and our other amazing coaches as you level up your game one module at a time!

Q: Do you offer a free trial?

We do not offer a free trial. However, you can try the Lab risk-free with our “All-In” 30-day money-back guarantee. If you aren’t satisfied, contact our support team and we’ll make it right.

We know if you go through just a small part of everything you get when you join Lab, you’ll see improvements with your game, whether you’re a beginner, amateur, or experienced reg.

And because of our faith in the content, we’re willing to back up your Lab membership with a 30-day money-back guarantee.

Q: What types of poker does the Lab cover?

The Lab covers ALL forms of No Limit Hold’em.

This includes strategies for tournaments, 6-max and 9-handed cash games, Zoom games, and live poker.

Q: Why should I take this Upswing Lab course?

Whether you’re a beginner, an advanced player, or somewhere in between, the Lab has a wealth of information that will help you improve your skills and, most importantly, your bottom line.

We’ve been adding new content to the Lab on a weekly basis for more than 3 years, and you get access to all of it when you join.

Q: Does the Lab contain valuable content for advanced players?

Short answer: Yes, there are many advanced sections and videos in the Lab.

Long answer: When the Lab was released in 2016, the focus was on helping beginner and intermediate poker players. However, the course has been getting progressively more advanced as new content is added every month.

If you’re an advanced player, you will likely find the earliest section of the Lab to be too fundamental, but all you have to do is skip that section to find the super valuable content you’re looking for.

Note: Poker players like you are improving their skills every day in the Upswing Lab training course and community. Don’t get left in the dust. Learn more now!

The post Master Turn Strategies With This In-Depth Module! appeared first on Upswing Poker.

Is this 8-high flop really good for my range or not?

Who has the range advantage?

Should I bet more often or check a lot?

Legendary crusher Tim Jenkins is back with a new module in the Upswing Lab, answering all these questions and more while helping you truly understand how to play boards that are 9 high or lower.

Although there are many different types of low boards, Coach Tim does a great job of condensing solver outputs into actionable steps you can take to improve your play. 

Why You Need To Understand Low Boards

Low boards come in all shapes and sizes. Some are dry and disconnected like , while some are more connected like .

Understanding how to play these boards can give you a crucial edge in cash games, both live and online. Most poker players truly have no idea what these low textures mean for their opponent’s range or their own, so understanding how to play them will make you a ton of money over time. 

For example, let’s take a look at one of the low boards covered in the module, . You’re on the Button, and the player in the Big Blind called preflop. As the in position player on the flop, should you c-bet or check more often? 

(scroll down for a sneak peak video from the module, covering this board!) 

is actually a great board for us as the Button, and the solver c-bets almost 70% of the time! It might be easy to just categorize this board as a better board for the Big Blind and give up when we don’t connect, but the solver shows us a new way of thinking about these low boards. Would you normally c-bet this board as frequently as the solver? 

What’s Inside the New Module

Module Length: 2 hours and 25 minutes

• Button vs Big Blind

Learn how to play low boards in one of the most common configurations, Button vs Big Blind. Looking at solver solutions in this situation will give us a great idea of how in-position and out-of-position ranges interact on various low textures. 

• Hijack vs Big Blind

Next, Tim narrows the range of the in-position player, who is now in the Hijack. It’s important to understand how wide the Button’s range is compared to a middle position open, and how that affects our ability to play these lower, more connected boards.

• Playing Check Lines In Position

How do we correctly defend our checking range when we decide not to c-bet the flop? This video covers key principles for checking back and playing turns. 

• Barreling in Position

When do we want to double barrel, and what hands make the most sense to do so with? These barreling concepts will apply to a variety of different low board situations, and will give you a lot of practical knowledge to use during your next session.

• 3-bet Pot Big Blind vs Cutoff

Learn how 3-bets narrow ranges preflop, and how those ranges can interact on different low textures. You won’t want to miss the last video of this module! 

Join the Lab now to upgrade your game with Tim’s new module and 90+ others!

Frequently Asked Questions 

Q: How much does the module cost, and what do I get?

This module is free with an Upswing Lab Subscription ($99/month) and has over 3 hours of content covering how to utilize your range and nut advantage to put maximum pressure on your opponents.

Q: What else do I get with the Upswing Lab?

You’ll get access to our massive catalog of 100+ modules, our members-only discussion group, and weekly new content filled with cutting-edge strategies from our elite coaches. Learn from Doug Polk, Gary Blackwood, David Yan, ALLinPAV, and our other amazing coaches as you level up your game one module at a time!

Q: Do you offer a free trial?

We do not offer a free trial. However, you can try the Lab risk-free with our “All-In” 30-day money-back guarantee. If you aren’t satisfied, contact our support team and we’ll make it right.

We know if you go through just a small part of everything you get when you join Lab, you’ll see improvements with your game, whether you’re a beginner, amateur, or experienced reg.

And because of our faith in the content, we’re willing to back up your Lab membership with a 30-day money-back guarantee.

Q: What types of poker does the Lab cover?

The Lab covers ALL forms of No Limit Hold’em.

This includes strategies for tournaments, 6-max and 9-handed cash games, Zoom games, and live poker.

Q: Why should I take this Upswing Lab course?

Whether you’re a beginner, an advanced player, or somewhere in between, the Lab has a wealth of information that will help you improve your skills and, most importantly, your bottom line.

We’ve been adding new content to the Lab on a weekly basis for more than 3 years, and you get access to all of it when you join.

Q: Does the Lab contain valuable content for advanced players?

Short answer: Yes, there are many advanced sections and videos in the Lab.

Long answer: When the Lab was released in 2016, the focus was on helping beginner and intermediate poker players. However, the course has been getting progressively more advanced as new content is added every month.

If you’re an advanced player, you will likely find the earliest section of the Lab to be too fundamental, but all you have to do is skip that section to find the super valuable content you’re looking for.

Note: Poker players like you are improving their skills every day in the Upswing Lab training course and community. Don’t get left in the dust. Learn more now!

The post Learn How To Print Money On Low Boards (NEW Upswing Module!) appeared first on Upswing Poker.

In his module Tournament Crash Course, Upswing Coach Tim Jenkins breaks down his main areas of study when preparing for WSOP, highlighting important key principles that may be missing from your MTT game.

What’s Inside The New Module:

Tournament Crash Course is bursting with valuable strategies and takeaways, as Tim breaks down common tournament scenarios that you’ll face in every tournament you play. Learn what hands to 3-bet bluff preflop, how to avoid ICM disaster, recognizing profitable postflop lines, and much more. Here’s a quick preview of some of the topics covered.

Module length: 2 hours and 16 minutes

• Raise First In

How well do you know your open raise strategies at 20bb? How about calling a raise at 50bb effective? In the first couple videos in his module, Tim uses elite preflop ranges provided in Upswing’s newest course Road to Victory to show baseline open and flatting ranges. He does a great job of highlighting broad takeaways and concepts, encouraging you to do more than just memorize ranges. 

• Blind Vs Blind

Did you know that at 100bb stacks you should be open limping most of your range in the Small Blind? In this crucial section of the module, Tim highlights common mistakes and exploits as well as theory when playing blind versus blind in tournaments. 

• ICM Situations

Understanding ICM is a crucial factor in tournaments. In this 5 part section, Tim breaks down common ICM scenarios and shows you what adjustments you can make to exploit inevitable ICM errors from your opponents. (Scroll down for a preview of this section!)

• Single Raised Pots 

Moving on to postflop play, Tim uses solver sims to show you baseline optimal play, then makes the solvers make sense, giving you practical takeaways that you can implement throughout the tournament. You’ll want to watch this module to the end! 

Sneak Peak Video

Join the Lab now to upgrade your game with Tim’s newest module and 90+ others!

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: How much does the module cost, and what do I get?

This module is free with an Upswing Lab Subscription ($99/month), and has over 3 hours of content covering how to utilize your range and nut advantage to put maximum pressure on your opponents.

Q: What else do I get with the Upswing Lab?

You’ll get access to our massive catalog of 100+ modules, our members-only discussion group, and weekly new content filled with cutting edge strategies from our elite coaches. Learn from Doug Polk, Gary Blackwood, David Yan, ALLinPAV and our other amazing coaches as you level up your game one module at a time!

Q: Do you offer a free trial?

We do not offer a free trial. However, you can try the Lab risk-free with our “All-In” 30-day money back guarantee. If you aren’t satisfied, contact our support team and we’ll make it right.

We know if you go through just a small part of everything you get when you join Lab, you’ll see improvements with your game, whether you’re a beginner, amateur or experienced reg.

And because of our faith in the content, we’re willing to back up your Lab membership with a 30-day money-back guarantee.

Q: What types of poker does the Lab cover?

The Lab covers ALL forms of No Limit Hold’em.

This includes strategy for tournaments, 6-max and 9-handed cash games, Zoom games, and live poker.

Q: Why should I take this Upswing Lab course?

Whether you’re a beginner, an advanced player, or somewhere in between, the Lab has a wealth of information that will help you improve your skills and, most importantly, your bottom line.

We’ve been adding new content to the Lab on a weekly basis for more than 3 years, and you get access to all of it when you join.

Q: Does the Lab contain valuable content for advanced players?

Short answer: Yes, there are many advanced sections and videos in the Lab.

Long answer: When the Lab was released in 2016, the focus was on helping beginner and intermediate poker players. However, the course has been getting progressively more advanced as new content is added every month.

If you’re an advanced player, you will likely find the earliest section of the Lab to be too fundamental, but all you have to do is skip that section to find the super valuable content you’re looking for.

Note: Poker players like you are improving their skills every day in the Upswing Lab training course and community. Don’t get left in the dust. Learn more now!

The post The MTT Crash Course You’ve Been Needing! (Lab Module Preview) appeared first on Upswing Poker.

But you’re about to see exactly that.

This hand and the accompanying (paraphrased) analysis is from Darren Elias’ Road To Victory Tournament Course. It’s a great example of how strong players narrow down ranges and eliminate cards from opposing ranges. 

If you’d prefer watching the video from the course rather than reading this article, click here!

Let’s dive into it.

Preflop Action

Early in the tournament, with around 150bb effective stack, Darren opens UTG with . An unknown recreational player calls in Middle Position, a loose recreational player on the Button calls, a tighter professional player squeezes to 11bb from the Small Blind, and everyone calls.

Preflop Analysis

Since Darren is playing this hand early on in a re-entry tournament, King-Ten Suited is a pretty standard call against the 3-bet. Big 3-bet multiway pots versus weaker players are a great way to build a chip stack in the early stages of a tournament, and we can propel our stack in a positive direction early if we hit the flop. 

We can also leverage postflop mistakes from weaker opponents, who will make bigger errors as the pot gets bigger. Darren’s hand plays well multiway, so he decides on a call, and the recreational players in position call as well. Four ways to a flop, let’s go! 

Since Darren is playing this hand early on in a re-entry tournament, King-Ten Suited is a pretty standard call against the 3-bet. 

Big 3-bet multiway pots versus weaker players are a great way to build a chip stack in the early stages of a tournament, and we can propel our stack in a positive direction early if we hit the flop. 

We can also leverage postflop mistakes from weaker opponents, who will make bigger errors as the pot gets bigger. 

Darren’s hand plays well multiway, so he decides on a call, and the recreational players in position call as well. Four ways to a flop, let’s go! 

Flop Action

The flop comes . The pot is 46.5bb. 

The professional in the Small Blind c-bets 16.5bb, Darren calls with , Middle Position folds and the loose recreational on the Button calls.

Flop Analysis

Darren flops top pair with a good kicker and a backdoor flush draw. However, he can’t be overly confident facing a 3-bet preflop and a c-bet postflop from the professional in the Small Blind. 

The Small Blind is betting into 3 players still to act, making his flop bet that much stronger. If this player had 3-bet from the Button then c-bet into the field after action checked to him, his range would likely be a bit wider and contain more bluffs. 

Darren also blocks hands like Ace-King which the Small Blind could 3-bet then stab the flop with, weighting his range more towards value hands than bluffs. 

However, Darren’s hand is far too strong to fold to a flop bet here, so we see a turn with 3 players after the Button calls. 

Turn Action

The turn is the , making the board . The pot is 96bb, with approximately 120bb effective stacks. 

The professional in the Small Blind tanks for a minute, then checks. Darren bets 25bb, the recreational on the Button calls, and Small Blind calls. 

Turn Analysis

The turn is where we really start to gather some information on our opponent’s ranges, and can begin to narrow them rapidly. 

The Small Blind is a tighter professional who will be 3-betting a bit tighter than some professionals would. When the turn brings another low card, this player-type may be inclined to go on the defensive and check-call with his overpairs, concerned that either Darren or the player on the Button may have hit a set. 

This is an interesting situation for Darren when deciding between a check or a bet on the turn. By checking we can pot control, but if we bet and the Button calls, it puts more pressure on the Small Blind’s overpairs. Since the Button is a loose recreational player who can definitely call a turn bet with worse hands, we can leverage this additional player and put the Small Blind in a grueling spot with a bet. 

Going with his read of the situation, Darren bets around ¼ pot. While on the smaller side, this bet size actually applies a lot of pressure to both opponents, since the Stack to Pot Ratio will be under 1 on the river if both players call. 

Darren’s best case scenario on the turn would be for the recreational on the Button to call with worse, and for the tighter professional to get out of the way. 

Tighter recreational and professional players alike are a great target for this situation, where you can leverage multiway dynamics to get them to fold, even when you’re pretty sure they have a better hand than you. 

River Action

The river is the , making the board . The pot is 144bb, with approximately 95bb effective stacks.

The pro in the Small Blind checks, Darren checks, The loose recreational on the Button bets 50bb, Small Blind tanks, then folds. 

River Analysis

While the Ace on the river may seem like a scare card, it’s really not in any of our opponent’s ranges too much. Small Blind can’t really have much Ace-King as played, and there are only 3 combos of Pocket Aces, which were likely the best hand anyway. Discounting a random Ace-Five Suited holding that a tighter professional likely wouldn’t play this way with anyway, the Small Blind probably isn’t too happy with this river card.

Outside of Ace-Ten, Darren can’t exactly have a lot of Aces in his range either, given his flop and turn action. 

The recreational on the Button is the hardest to range, since he is a stickier player who can show up with some random Ace-Seven and Ace-Four hands that hit two pair. Knowing Small Blind has him beat at this point, and being unsure of how wide the Button’s range is, Darren decides not to turn his hand into a bluff, and checks. This is when things get really interesting.

The Button bets just over half his remaining stack, about ⅓ pot. The Small Blind tanks for 3-4 minutes before folding, confirming Darren’s read that he likely had an overpair before the river. 

With the loose recreational on the Button putting on the pressure and getting the Small Blind out of the way, we are in a much better situation. We know that the Button is a looser recreational with an aptitude for putting chips into the pot, and with these players there is always a “random nonsense factor,” meaning a small percentage of the time they will show up with weird bluffs that had no business being in the pot in the first place. Getting 4 to 1 on a call, Darren decides he’s beating random hands enough of the time, and flicks in the call!

You can imagine the Small Blind’s disgust when the Button flips over Queen-Ten, which he decided to turn into a bluff on the river. Darren scoops a massive pot early in the tournament, in a situation where he was able to leverage a multiway scenario to get a better hand to fold, and a worse hand to put the chips in. 

Next time you’re at the tables, try to identify your opponent’s tendencies from the very first hand you play. As you can see in this hand, knowing what types of opponents he was facing allowed Darren to narrow down ranges, get a feel for how strong his hand was, and make the call on the river to secure a big chipstack early on in the tournament. 

Video Version Featuring Darren Elias

This video is one of many in-depth hand breakdowns in Darren Elias and Nick Petrangelo’s new tournament course: Road to Victory! Check out the course below.

Learn More About Road to Victory Here >>

The post Getting Better to Fold & Worse to Bet! (Hand Analysis) appeared first on Upswing Poker.

The newest module in the Upswing Lab covers crucial ICM (Independent Chip Model) scenarios in tournament poker. In this module, Upswing Coach Hristivoje Pavlovic (ALLinPav) breaks down key ICM concepts that will help you navigate tricky late game spots and outlast your opponents to win the tournament! (Scroll down for a sneak peak of the new module!)

(If you’re new to ICM concepts and want to learn more about what ICM is and why it’s so important, check out our complete guide, Introduction to ICM in Poker)

What’s Inside The New Module

In Key ICM Concepts, ALLinPav breaks down a wide range of common ICM scenarios, taken from real situations throughout his tournament career. He questions your decisions as well as his own, asking whether or not you would have made the same mistakes as he did in these scenarios. Try to ask yourself questions as you watch this module. Are you overplaying pocket pairs too much? Are you just trying to fit your narrative to make a light call, or is your opponent’s range actually as wide as you think? 

Key ICM Concepts gives you more than just a fundamental understanding of ICM, as Pav lays the foundation for how you should analyze your hand histories, and the types of questions you should be asking yourself when studying off the felt. 

Module Length: 2 hours 45 minutes

• Solver-land vs Reality. When 3-Betting Becomes Stupid – 22:10

Are you 3-betting bluffing properly, or are you spewing off stacks and crushing your chances of winning the tournament? Find out in this fiery intro video from Pav!

• Trying to Fit Your Narrative – Big Wake-Up Call! – 7:17

Your opponent’s ranges may be totally different from what you think. Are you trying to convince yourself they can have hands they really shouldn’t have?

• Unnatural Shoves – 11:14

Some hands may not seem like shoves, but have you really taken everything into consideration? Start putting pressure on your opponents!

• Stop Overplaying Pocket Pairs! – 13:18

Pocket sixes might be enticing, but do you really want to risk your tournament life in this spot? It’s time to question everything you know about the value of pocket pairs.

• CREATIVE Flats and TIGHT Defends! – 18:08

The art of poker comes from your own creativity. How can you maximize your advantage and put pressure on your opponents postflop?

• $150 Final Table Review Parts 1, 2, 3 – 91:03

Follow along through every hand of ALLinPav’s final table run, as he breaks down the correct decisions and mistakes he made along the way. How would you have done, given the same cards?

Sneak Peak Video: 

Check out an exclusive clip from the module, where ALLinPav realizes he may have made a big mistake with pocket sixes. Would you have made the same play as Pav here?

Join the Lab now to upgrade your game with ALLinPav’s newest module and 90+ others!

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: How much does the module cost, and what do I get?

This module is free with an Upswing Lab Subscription ($99/month), and has over 3 hours of content covering how to utilize your range and nut advantage to put maximum pressure on your opponents.

Q: What else do I get with the Upswing Lab?

You’ll get access to our massive catalog of 100+ modules, our members-only discussion group, and weekly new content filled with cutting edge strategies from our elite coaches. Learn from Doug Polk, Gary Blackwood, David Yan, ALLinPAV and our other amazing coaches as you level up your game one module at a time!

Q: Do you offer a free trial?

We do not offer a free trial. However, you can try the Lab risk-free with our “All-In” 30-day money back guarantee. If you aren’t satisfied, contact our support team and we’ll make it right.

We know if you go through just a small part of everything you get when you join Lab, you’ll see improvements with your game, whether you’re a beginner, amateur or experienced reg.

And because of our faith in the content, we’re willing to back up your Lab membership with a 30-day money-back guarantee.

Q: What types of poker does the Lab cover?

The Lab covers ALL forms of No Limit Hold’em.

This includes strategy for tournaments, 6-max and 9-handed cash games, Zoom games, and live poker.

Q: Why should I take this Upswing Lab course?

Whether you’re a beginner, an advanced player, or somewhere in between, the Lab has a wealth of information that will help you improve your skills and, most importantly, your bottom line.

We’ve been adding new content to the Lab on a weekly basis for more than 3 years, and you get access to all of it when you join.

Q: Does the Lab contain valuable content for advanced players?

Short answer: Yes, there are many advanced sections and videos in the Lab.

Long answer: When the Lab was released in 2016, the focus was on helping beginner and intermediate poker players. However, the course has been getting progressively more advanced as new content is added every month.

If you’re an advanced player, you will likely find the earliest section of the Lab to be too fundamental, but all you have to do is skip that section to find the super valuable content you’re looking for.

Note: Poker players like you are improving their skills every day in the Upswing Lab training course and community. Don’t get left in the dust. Learn more now!

The post CRUSH Key Tournament Spots With ALLinPav’s New ICM Module! appeared first on Upswing Poker.

I know this flop is good for me, but I’m not sure what I should bet. Can I just bet my whole range? How big should I bet?

If you’ve ever found yourself asking questions like this, cash game crusher Gary Blackwood’s newest module in the Upswing Lab is your ticket to the answers that will help you win more money in poker.

In this exciting new addition to the Lab, Upswing Coach Gary Blackwood gives a holistic overview of how to utilize your range and nut advantage to simplify spots and apply pressure in the right situations.

Understanding who has the range advantage and nut advantage on different board textures will give you a massive edge, especially if you play low stakes live or online.

Learn how to maximize your advantage, apply pressure, and even recognize spots where you can bet up to 100% of your range!

What is Range Advantage?

Simply put, whichever range with the higher equity percentage on a given board has the range advantage. Understanding when you have the range advantage and when your opponent does is key, because it will dictate who gets to apply more pressure in a lot of situations.

Example:

You raise on the Button and the Big Blind calls. The flop is AK3r.

You have the range advantage on this Ace-King high flop since the Big Blind would have 3-bet preflop with a lot of their better ace and king heavy hands, including AA, KK and AK.

On flops like this, whichever player put in the last raise preflop will have the equity (and range) advantage.

What is Nut Advantage?

Nut advantage is different from range advantage, because it deals with the amount of “nut combos” (i.e. very strong hands) the range contains, rather than an overall equity percentage. This is an important difference to understand, because sometimes you may have an overall range advantage, but still have less combos of “nutted” hands than your opponent.

Example:

You raise Under the Gun and the Big Blind Calls. The flop is AK3r.

You can have all of the AA, KK, and AK combos as the Under the Gun raiser, giving you a clear “nut advantage” on this board. Since Big Blind should be 3-betting AA, KK and AK, the best hands that the Big Blind can usually have here are 33, A3, and K3, which are clearly second best against the nutted combos in your range.

(try out the Upswing Lab risk free today!)

What’s Inside The New Module

Gary Blackwood’s new module inside the Lab will help you identify and leverage your range and nut advantages at the table, which will help you maximize your win-rate.

Gary helps you understand how to leverage your range advantages with a concise 20-minute video. Then, he dedicates the remainder of the module to the more complex concept of nut advantage. You’ll learn how to win the max (on average) when you have a nut advantage and the proper defensive strategies to implement when you’re at a nut DISadvantage.”

Module Length: 3 Hours

• What is Range Advantage & Nut Advantage – 19:34
• Playing Your Range Advantage – 21:08
• Playing Your Nut Advantage Part 1 – 35:28
• Playing Your Nut Advantage Part 2 – 36:09
• Playing Your Nut Advantage Part 3 – 41:02
• Playing Your Nut Advantage Part 4 – 24:04

Sneak Peak Video: 

The following 4 minute clip from the module shows just how important maximizing your range advantage can be in certain scenarios! Would you have bet 100% of your range on these turn cards?

Join the Lab now to upgrade your game with Gary’s new module and 90+ others!

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: How much does the module cost, and what do I get?

This module is free with an Upswing Lab Subscription ($99/month), and has over 3 hours of content covering how to utilize your range and nut advantage to put maximum pressure on your opponents.

Q: What else do I get with the Upswing Lab?

You’ll get access to our massive catalog of 100+ modules, our members-only discussion group, and weekly new content filled with cutting edge strategies from our elite coaches. Learn from Doug Polk, Gary Blackwood, David Yan, ALLinPAV and our other amazing coaches as you level up your game one module at a time!

Q: Do you offer a free trial?

We do not offer a free trial. However, you can try the Lab risk-free with our “All-In” 30-day money back guarantee. If you aren’t satisfied, contact our support team and we’ll make it right.

We know if you go through just a small part of everything you get when you join Lab, you’ll see improvements with your game, whether you’re a beginner, amateur or experienced reg.

And because of our faith in the content, we’re willing to back up your Lab membership with a 30-day money-back guarantee.

Q: What types of poker does the Lab cover?

The Lab covers ALL forms of No Limit Hold’em.

This includes strategy for tournaments, 6-max and 9-handed cash games, Zoom games, and live poker.

Q: Why should I take this Upswing Lab course?

Whether you’re a beginner, an advanced player, or somewhere in between, the Lab has a wealth of information that will help you improve your skills and, most importantly, your bottom line.

We’ve been adding new content to the Lab on a weekly basis for more than 3 years, and you get access to all of it when you join.

Q: Does the Lab contain valuable content for advanced players?

Short answer: Yes, there are many advanced sections and videos in the Lab.

Long answer: When the Lab was released in 2016, the focus was on helping beginner and intermediate poker players. However, the course has been getting progressively more advanced as new content is added every month.

If you’re an advanced player, you will likely find the earliest section of the Lab to be too fundamental, but all you have to do is skip that section to find the super valuable content you’re looking for.

Note: Poker players like you are improving their skills every day in the Upswing Lab training course and community. Don’t get left in the dust. Learn more now!

The post Master the Flop with This New Upswing Lab Module appeared first on Upswing Poker.

Upswing coach Nick Petrangelo outlasted everyone in the massive World Poker Tour event, taking down the grand prize of $494,500. The event was played on partypoker.com and reached a massive $3,000,000 prize pool.

After ending day 1B with a sizable chip stack, Petrangelo fought his way through 142 players on day 2 to secure a final table appearance. Some notable day 2 eliminations included Jason Koon (86th – $8,100), Matthew Staples (44th – $9,600), David Peters (39th – $11,100) and Adrian Mateos (32nd – $13,200).

The Final Table

Coming into the final table (which was streamed live on Twitch), Petrangelo had a decent stack of 31 big blinds and was sitting in 4th position of the 7 remaining players.

The final table stacks (in big blinds) before the first hand was dealt. (Screenshot from partypokerTV’s Twitch stream.)

After Jake Schindler busted out in 7th ($70,200) and Elior Sion exited in 6th ($93,630), Jiachen Gong picked up pocket aces and got them in way ahead of Petrangelo’s jack-ten.

Jiachen had been running hot ever since entering the final table with just four big blinds, so he seemed to be in prime position to make a run for gold! Unfortunately for Gong, his luck had run out for the day, and Petrangelo flopped trip jacks to eliminate the Canadian pro in 5th place ($128,100).

Petrangelo bided his time for a while, watching the elimination first of Patrice Brandt (4th for $192,900) and finally Russia’s Arsenii Karmatchii, who lost with ace-king vs jacks to Belarus’ Artsiom Prostak and finished 3rd for a cool $278,448.

Related article: 3 Strategic Mistakes to Avoid in Tournaments with Nick Petrangelo.

Heads-Up for the Title

Heads up play was a battle for Petrangelo, who had only 37 big blinds to combat the massive 105 big blind stack of Artsiom Prostak.

The battle lasted almost 3 hours and had some highlight reel moments, including a ten-high all-in bluff from Nick that forced Prostak off his flush.

Key Bluff with Ten-High

Nick Petrangelo raised to 2 million preflop with T 7, and Artsiom Prostak defended in the big blind with Q J.

The flop came K 5 3, Nick c-bet 1 million and Artsiom called.

Prostak made a flush on the 7 turn and led for 1.8 million. Petrangelo then came over the top with a raise to 5.5 million.

Prostak called and the river was the Q. Action checked to Petrangelo who shoved for 17.7 million. Prostak tank-folded, allowing Petrangelo to chip up quite a bit with a gutsy bluff.

The tournament finished shortly after Petrangelo flipped the tables and took the chip lead.

The Final Hand

Artsiom Prostak raised preflop to 2.8 million with A Q, and Nick Petrangelo defended in the Big Blind with K T.

The flop came T 2 T. Artsiom c-bet 1.4 million, and Nick check-raised to 4 million. Prostak called the small flop raise.

The turn brought the 5, giving Prostak the flush draw. Nick continued with an 8.3 million bet, and Prostak made the call.

The river brought disaster with Prostak, giving him top pair with the A. Nick shoved with trip tens and Prostak had no choice but to call off his stack with top two.

Artsiom Prostak finished with the runner up prize of $368,250, while Nick Petrangelo won $494,550 for first, plus a seat in the WPT Tournament of Champions, A Hublot Watch, and Everyday Baccarat Tumblers. On top of all that, Nick will also get his name etched into the Mike Sexton WPT Champions Cup.

Following the event, WPT host Tony Dunst (@TonyDunstTV) called Petrangelo’s final table dominance “one of the best final table performances I’ve ever seen.” Here’s that comment and Nick’s (amazing) breakdown of the final hand:

Years of study and play have certainly resulted in massive success for the 33 year old American pro, who adds to his millions of dollars in tournament cashes with yet another sweet six-figure score. With over $1,300,000 in lifetime WPT cashes, and over $23,000,000 in live earnings, Petrangelo certainly ranks among the WPT greats.

Note: Want to learn how to crush tournaments with Nick Petrangelo’s guidance? Learn tactics that work vs. tough players, weak players, and everyone in between when you join Nick Petrangelo’s expert-level course. Learn more now!

The post Nick Petrangelo Wins WPT Six-Max Championship for $494,500 appeared first on Upswing Poker.