This page is dedicated to poker strategy. Here you can find articles about how to play poker successfully. For professionals and beginners, as well. Coming soon: detailed strategies for every game: Texas Hold'em, Omaha and all others.
If there are any questions, they can be answered by advanced poker players in our poker forum.
I've recently read through my stud-poker literature. There isn't a whole lot out there. What there is focuses almost exclusively on heads-up situations. At the higher levels of stud, that's typically what good players face... more
I made the greatest mistake anyone has ever made in a high/low declare stud game. Little children learning this game for the first time don't make this error. Old people, infirmed from Alzheimer's disease, with the few remaining intact... more
I see it all the time. The poor schlemiel in the three seat who has been calling along waiting for a big draw finally hits one. What does he do? See below. The hand starts off five-way when a player with a queen showing raises... more
Most of the time, against the typical stud opponent, you will make most of your money by playing in a straightforward manner. You will make money from the mistakes of your opponents, mistakes that he makes because he is not... more
In the first part of this two-part series I addressed strategy considerations for the loose and passive low-stakes spread-limit game, often played with no ante, like $1-5 and $1-3. It can often be frustrating to play... more
I write about fixed-limit stud – primarily $20/40 and $10/20. These are the games I tend to play and enjoy. However, as I've realized from recent emails from readers I've received both here and on my radio show, there is also... more
A stud player often has to decide whether to draw a card or fold to a bet. This decision is especially important on fifth street when the bets double. I had an interesting hand in a $10/20 stud game at Foxwoods where I had... more
In my last article I mentioned many forms of exercise that a good poker player can do away from the table. Let me touch on some exercises that you can do at the poker table. ISOMETRICS: Yeah, really! You can exercise nearly every muscle... more
I was exercising at home on my Nordic Track. I had just returned from Paris and had eaten too much during my vacation, so I was trying to burn off some of the excess calories I had eaten and lose a few pounds. At the rate I was... more
I just returned from a great trip to Paris, France, visiting my daughter and that great city. I also went to play poker. I played in two clubs – each in the nicest part of the city, right near the Arc D'Triomphe. What a beautiful scene... more
In my last column I gave you some questions to ponder, promising answers in the subsequent column, which you're reading here. I'll repeat the question and then provide each answer in bold face... more
I have some problems for you to ponder until next week when I'll fill you in on my answers. For now, take out a piece of paper and jot down what you think the best answers are to the following questions. Don't sweat... more
It's all the rage. Ever since Matt Damon went around the table of his professor's poker game in Rounders and declared what everyone was holding, poker fans have been obsessed with acquiring that secret power of knowing their opponents'... more
In my last column I dealt with betting options in limit stud on fourth street, covering the decision to bet the lower tier or the higher tier. In this column we'll look at betting options on third street, when there is a forced bet by the low card... more
There aren't many betting options in limit 7-card stud. The bets are pretty fixed by the structure. Unlike spread-limit, pot-limit, and no-limit, you usually have no choice in the amount you bet. You want to bet on fifth street more
My poker-playing cousin and his buddy were in town for the high holidays. So after the break-fast following Yom Kippur services we headed down to Foxwoods. What better way to start the Jewish New Year than with a playing session? more
I've written extensively about play on third street, fifth street and the river. These streets are where most of the difficult decisions are made. Even so, sixth street presents its own interesting problems from time to time... more
School has started. It's time for you to continue your poker exam. For the questions below, assume a $20/40 game with a $3.00 ante and a $5.00 forced bet from the low card. Unless otherwise noted, the players are moderately aggressive... more
When I was in college and high school, decades ago, I hated being tested. It made me nervous. I didn't like the notion of being judged. And I surely couldn't stand some teacher telling me I was wrong. How much better it was... more
In my last column I explained the three methods generally used by players to decide when to leave. They were: Leaving when the game is no longer any good; leaving after a predetermined time period; and leaving after a pre-set win... more