Poker Strategy
Welcome to our Poker Strategy Articles section. Poker is a game of strategy. Anyone that tells you differently is ignorant or a losing poker player. If you study the game and the strategies, you will understand the tactics to becoming a winning player, improve your game, and ultimately win money. We at ITH have accumulated the most comprehensive collection of texas holdem articles to help you learn, gain confidence and most importantly WIN.
We incorporate strategiy discussions on everything from playing hands to winning the mental game. Peruse the sub-categories here or browse all our strategy articles below.
For more poker strategy content, visit our Poker Forum Strategy sections and join in the discussions!
The Power of the Big Draw
the strength and strategic advantages of having big drawing hands in Omaha poker, particularly in deep-stack situations, explaining how these hands can dominate the game dynamics, allow for aggressive betting without fear of being priced out, and offer significant implied value when they hit
PLO Quiz 3
A low SPR situation - Excerpt from Jeff’s book, Advanced Pot-Limit Omaha Volume II: LAG Play and The Short-Handed Workbook.
Poker Bankroll Strategy : Wipeout
the challenging reality that poker players might face when they lose their entire bankroll, emphasizing the importance of understanding the reasons behind such losses, whether it's due to skill level, tilt, poor bankroll management, or sheer bad luck
PLO Quiz 2
pot-limit Omaha poker scenarios set in a game at Excalibur in Las Vegas, offering readers multiple-choice questions on the best course of action in each situation
Las Vegas Pot-Limit Omaha
introduction of a small-stakes pot-limit Omaha (PLO) game at The Venetian poker room in Las Vegas, detailing the specific structure of the game, the reasons for choosing The Venetian as the venue, and the game's growing popularity among players
Starting Hand Chart
detailed hand charts to guide players on how to optimally play their starting hands in Texas Holdem, offering specific strategies based on one's position at the table and emphasizing the significance of making informed preflop decisions to gain an edge over opponents
Some Mistakes Down Under
author's experiences and strategic errors during poker tournaments in Melbourne, particularly during the Aussie Millions event, emphasizing the importance of decision-making, pot odds, and risk assessment, while also highlighting the vibrant poker scene and unique personalities in the Australian and New Zealand poker community
What do you do when you know you are beat?
discusses the strategic depth of poker, emphasizing the importance of reading opponents and understanding when to exploit perceived weaknesses, even when you believe your hand is inferior
New Zealand Blues
the author's experience during a two-week vacation to New Zealand, where he participated in the New Zealand Poker Championships
Choosing a Poker Site : Decision, Decisions, Decisions
the various considerations and decisions a poker player should make before starting a game, including selecting the right poker site, game type, table format, betting structure, and even factors like the time of day to play
Beating Fish in Limit Holdem
strategies on how to effectively play against three types of inexperienced poker players: the overaggressive, the limper, and the predictable, offering insights on recognizing and adapting to each type to maximize profit opportunities in higher stakes games
Quiz: Playing with the Initiative, Combination-Call, and Value-Betting River
Playing with the initiative, making a combination-call, and value-betting the river It's a five-handed 50¢-$1 pot-limit Omaha game online (six-max).
Poker Tips for Beginners : Three Decisions that are Never Wrong
guidance on three fundamental decisions in poker that are almost always correct: not revealing your cards unless required, refraining from engaging in table chat to avoid giving away information, and consistently playing strong hands aggressively
Positional Advantage in Pot-Limit Omaha
the inherent advantage of position in poker, emphasizing that the ambiguity of a bet from a late position, such as the button, can naturally deceive opponents, making them more likely to make mistakes, especially when they perceive the bet as a potential steal
Why Do Players Go on Tilt?
the psychological and emotional reasons behind poker players going on tilt, emphasizing that while bad beats and losses can trigger tilt, other factors like emotions, fatigue, boredom, and even alcohol can also contribute
Winning the Full Tilt Poker $750,000 Event
the author's experience and strategies in winning the Full Tilt Poker tournament, emphasizing the importance of "restealing" and highlighting specific hands that played a crucial role in their victory
Poker Tracker Tips : Tracking Your Progress as a Beginner
offers guidance for novice Texas Hold'em players on utilizing PokerTracker software to monitor and enhance their gameplay
Pot-Limit Omaha Hand Quiz 3
insights into post-flop strategies in Pot-Limit Omaha, focusing on the importance of understanding opponent behavior, the value of the positional advantage, and the effectiveness of bluff-raising when faced with potential air bets
Skills Learned Playing Short-Handed Limit Holdem
the unique skills and strategies required for short-handed limit hold'em, highlighting the importance of player categorization, adaptability, and aggression, while also discussing the benefits of playing in such settings, including the ability to better read opponents and capitalize on their mistakes
Profile of a Typical Omaha Hi-Lo Fish
common characteristics of inexperienced Omaha Hi-Lo players, highlighting their tendencies to play too loosely, misconceptions about hand quality and pot dynamics, and their lack of adaptability to the changing value of hands post-flop, ultimately providing insights into how seasoned players can exploit these weaknesses
6 Reasons to Start Playing Omaha Hi Lo
the advantages of playing Pot Limit Omaha Hi Lo, highlighting its simplicity compared to other poker games, the opportunity to beat loose games at low limits, its lower variance, the excitement it offers, its suitability for bonus chasers, and how it can expand a player's poker horizons
Why Pot-Limit Omaha Games Must Get Smaller
the importance of structuring smaller-stakes pot-limit Omaha (PLO) games to ensure the game's growth, highlighting the challenges players face when overplaying their bankrolls and the need for sustainable PLO games that protect players from going broke
Pot-Limit Omaha Hand Quiz
Playing top two pair, and the nut-flush draw - Here are a couple of hands from a $2-$5 game at The Venetian in Las Vegas.
AP Newswire May 24, 2025: Joshua Hilger takes home the 2025 WSOP
Joshua Hilger takes home the 2025 WSOP - just a fun hypothetical folks!
One Year as a Professional Poker Player
leaving a traditional office job to becoming a full-time poker player, detailing the challenges, financial ups and downs, lessons learned, and the personal adjustments required for this unconventional career
Shorthanded Pot-Limit Omaha
common mistakes players make in shorthanded pot-limit Omaha games, such as defending blinds too liberally, making large preflop raises from out of position, and not being aggressive enough
Poker Psychology : Logical Fallacies
common logical fallacies that poker players often fall victim to, emphasizing the importance of clear, logical thinking for success at the poker table and warning against making decisions based on flawed reasoning or misconceptions
Poker Stop Losses : When Should I Stop Playing
reasons and circumstances under which poker players should consider ending their gaming sessions, emphasizing that the primary reasons to quit are either not playing at one's best or being in a game that can't be beaten
Fixing World Series of Poker Structures for PLO
discusses the disparities in starting stack depths between pot-limit Omaha (PLO) and no-limit hold'em (NLH) tournaments at the World Series of Poker, arguing that PLO tournaments should have deeper starting stacks to be comparable to their NLH counterparts
Pot-Limit Omaha: The Bankroll Schedule
the importance of proper bankroll management in pot-limit Omaha (PLO), highlighting the game's inherent volatility and the need for a larger bankroll compared to no-limit hold'em, and provides a detailed bankroll schedule for various PLO games
Poker Pitfalls Resulting From a Faulty Mindset
while technical skills in poker are essential, many players fail to achieve success due to mindset issues such as not accepting the realities of poker, being short-term focused, playing with fear, letting ego interfere, and not continually improving their game
Using Ranges to Make Better Decisions
introduces the concept of "ranges" in poker, explaining how players can assign a set of potential hands to their opponents based on observed actions, and then refine these ranges as the hand progresses
Am I Delusional?
author's poker strategy after bluffing off 125 big blinds, analyzing the hand in detail, and seeking feedback from the poker community to determine if the play was justified or a result of delusional thinking
Selecting Good Poker Tables : Finding the Best Fish
strategies for identifying poker tables with inexperienced players, emphasizing the importance of observing player behaviors, usernames, and other indicators to maximize profit potential and exploit weaknesses in opponents' gameplay
The Journey : Stages of Poker Development
the various stages a poker player goes through in their journey, from being a complete beginner to achieving mastery, emphasizing the importance of continuous learning, self-awareness, and the drive to improve
Structuring Sustainable Small-Stakes
guidelines on how to structure a sustainable small-stakes pot-limit Omaha (PLO) game, emphasizing the importance of setting a maximum buy-in, avoiding straddles, and ensuring that games are played with deep stacks to prevent short-stacking
Automated Poker
the transformative impact of automated shufflers and electronic poker tables, such as PokerPro, on the live poker experience, emphasizing their ability to speed up the game, enhance player experience, and merge the benefits of online and live poker
Poker Tilt Tips : Your Guilty Conscience
psychological aspects of poker tilt, likening it to the conflicting voices of temptation and reason, as portrayed in Eminem's song "Guilty Conscience"
Working in Your Underwear: The Pitfalls of Comfort
the potential pitfalls of becoming too comfortable while playing online poker, emphasizing the importance of maintaining a disciplined posture and behavior to avoid developing bad habits that could be detrimental in live games, and offers strategies to ensure one remains engaged and alert during online sessions
Limit Hold’em Quiz
Playing the Nuts Most players love to discuss hands when the value of a hand is not very clear.
The Many Faces of Poker Tilt
various forms of poker tilt, emphasizing its psychological aspects and offering strategies to recognize and combat this emotional state that can adversely affect a player's game
Is Poker Gambling or Skill?
the longstanding debate regarding poker's classification, examining whether it's predominantly a game of chance or skill, and highlights that while poker involves elements of both luck and strategy, it's the blend of these factors that makes it unique, challenging the traditional definitions of gambling
Variable-Ratio Reinforcement
psychological concept of variable-ratio reinforcement, explaining how it's used in gambling scenarios like slot machines to regulate player behavior, and hints at its application in pot-limit Omaha poker, particularly in relation to continuation-betting strategies
PokerTek, Excalibur, and the PLO Revolution
the introduction of small-stakes pot-limit Omaha games on PokerPro electronic tables at the Excalibur Hotel and Casino in Las Vegas, emphasizing the advantages of electronic tables in facilitating smaller pot-limit Omaha games
Draw Equity vs Float Equity – Part II
nuances of float equity in poker, contrasting it with draw equity, and underscores how float equity, derived from fold equity and opponent information, can have significant value in certain game situations, but its effectiveness is highly contingent on the playing style of opponents
How Not to Tilt
guidance on managing emotions and maintaining a positive mindset during poker games, emphasizing the importance of understanding the game's nature, preparing for losses, and viewing setbacks as learning opportunities to enhance one's skills and strategies in Omaha high/low
The Complete Guide to Playing Poker Maniacs
strategies and tips for playing poker against aggressive players, often referred to as "poker maniacs," emphasizing the importance of patience, position, and hand selection
Playing Sit n Go’s for Profit
chronicles the author's journey from initial online poker losses to eventual success, emphasizing the profitability of Sit 'N' Go tournaments
Are Satellite Tournaments a Good or Bad Value?
the value and strategy of playing in satellite poker tournaments, cautioning players against entering satellites where they'd be outmatched in the main event, and emphasizing that while satellites offer a chance to play in bigger tournaments, they often lead to suboptimal play due to the high stakes and unfamiliarity with deep-stack dynamics
Poker Table Chat
the intricacies of online poker table chat, recommending caution as it can inadvertently reveal strategies, but also highlighting its potential strategic benefits
More Poker Lessons From My Daughter
author's experiences teaching his daughters poker, highlighting a particular game where one daughter's play style was perceived as fearless and unpredictable
Raising Draws for Value in Limit Holdem
the strategic nuances of when to raise or call with drawing hands in limit hold'em, emphasizing that players often undervalue their big draws on the flop and that understanding the best hand isn't always about having a made hand, but rather the hand with the highest probability of winning by the river
Mixed Hold’em
introduces a new form of poker that combines elements of limit, pot-limit, and no-limit hold'em, aiming to create more post-flop action and excitement for both players and viewers, with the game transitioning from limit play pre-flop, to pot-limit on the flop, and finally to no-limit on the turn and river, thus emphasizing post-flop skills and offering a dynamic playing experience
The Danger of Optimism : Texas Holdem Odds
cautions poker players against the pitfalls of excessive optimism, explaining that while a positive mindset can be beneficial in many life situations, in poker, overestimating odds or making assumptions based on hope rather than logical analysis can lead to suboptimal strategies and significant losses
Some Pot-Limit Omaha Hands
detailed strategy analysis of specific hands played in a pot-limit Omaha game at The Venetian in Las Vegas, illustrating various scenarios such as a delayed double-barrel bluff on a paired board, picking off a bluff by check-calling, and executing a delayed dry-ace bluff
Profiling Errors
common mistakes players make when profiling their poker opponents, such as stereotyping based on initial perceptions, giving undue weight to early observations (primacy effect), and making assumptions based on one's own characteristics (projection)
When to Raise Draws for Value
strategic considerations of when to raise or call with drawing hands in poker, emphasizing the importance of understanding the value of one's draw in relation to the number of opponents and pot dynamics, while also touching on concepts like semibluffing and seeking free cards
Leaks in Limit Holdem : Plugging the Right Leaks
guides players on identifying and rectifying weaknesses in their limit hold'em game by categorizing leaks based on their frequency and magnitude
Re-buy Tournament Strategy
the tactics and considerations for playing in Re-buy & Add-on (R&A) poker tournaments, emphasizing the distinct playstyle during the first hour, the importance of strategic re-buys and add-ons, and the need to adapt to the aggressive nature of such tournaments
Pot-Limit Omaha: Game Selection in Live Play
the challenges and considerations of selecting the right pot-limit Omaha (PLO) games in live settings, emphasizing the rapid scaling of stakes, the impact of uncapped buy-ins and the straddle option
The World Series of Poker Bubbles
unique dynamics of various "bubble" situations in the World Series of Poker, highlighting strategies to exploit these phases, especially the day-one bubble and cash bubble, where players' risk-averse behaviors can be leveraged for advantage
Short Stack Strategy in Limit Holdem
the importance of understanding how to play against short-stacked players in limit hold'em, emphasizing that while many players overlook this aspect, it's crucial to adjust one's strategy when facing opponents with smaller stacks
Lose Weight while Playing Poker!
unique approach to combining exercise and poker, detailing how using an elliptical machine positioned in front of a computer monitor allowed him to play online poker while working out
Playing Pocket Pairs in Tournaments
various strategies and considerations for playing small to medium pocket pairs in poker tournaments, emphasizing the importance of understanding the situation and adapting one's play accordingly
Pot-Limit Omaha Hand Quiz 2
detailed analysis of a specific pot-limit Omaha hand, emphasizing the importance of understanding when to take a free card
High Value Limit Holdem Bluffs
the art of bluffing in limit hold'em, discussing its significance in modern, tighter games and presenting five specific situations where bluffing can yield significant equity
Poker Bankroll Mistakes that Cost the Most
significant mistakes poker players make concerning their bankrolls, emphasizing the importance of proper bankroll management, avoiding distractions from other casino games, the dangers of poor game selection, and the negative impact of berating less skilled players
PLO Quiz
Playing with the initiative, making a combination-call, and value-betting the river - It's a five-handed 50¢-$1 pot-limit Omaha game online (six-max).
Tough Limit Holdem Strategy
the evolving landscape of poker, emphasizing that while the game has become more challenging over the years, there are still opportunities to exploit various player types, from the traditional loose-passive fish to the more refined tight-aggressive playersLet’s Play Poker!