Poker Strategy

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Welcome to FTR’s Poker Strategy section! We currently have over 400 free Poker Strategy articles in our ever growing archive.

These strategy articles contain as much information as you would find in multiple poker books – for free! Make sure you take advantage of this free poker strategy and poker training, on all of the topics shown below. Whether you’re a beginner, seasoned professional, cash game grinder, or tournament specialist, there is something to help take your game to the next level.

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  • Beginner Poker Strategies (104)
  • Cash Game Strategies (56)
  • Featured Poker Strategy Articles (37)
  • Heads Up Strategies (5)
  • Limit Hold’em Poker Strategies (33)
  • Live Poker Strategies (36)
  • MTT Poker Strategies (34)
  • No Limit Hold'em Poker Strategies (176)
  • Omaha Poker Strategy Articles (14)
  • Open Face Chinese Poker (2)
  • Poker Psychology Strategies (59)
  • Poker Rules (20)
  • Poker Tools (12)
  • Poker Videos (46)
  • SNG Poker Strategy Articles (33)



  • chardrian’s True Value of AK

    chardrian’s True Value of AK

    AK is, without a doubt, an excellent hand. It is ahead or flipping against every hand except AA and KK. Nevertheless, you should exercise caution with AK if there are multiple raises in front of you. If there are folds, limpers or a single raise in front of you, you should absolutely play it.
    The PokerJanitor’s Philosophy

    The PokerJanitor’s Philosophy

    author's personal approach to poker, emphasizing the importance of consistent practice, unpredictability, learning from televised poker (with a discerning eye), staying true to one's personality at the table, and handling intimidation and losses with resilience and a growth mindset “Well,” she said, “I've always wanted to get good at poker. Could you teach me?” So, rather than simply tossing “Super System 2” in her lap and watching the NFL playoffs, I'll spend some quality time teaching her how to play. That shows what a caring guy I am, right? I think so, at least. Also I get to eat homemade bread. What's not to love?
    Razz Rules

    Razz Rules

    Razz is a form of poker very similar to 7 Card Stud. The difference is that you're playing for low instead of high. A "wheel" consists of A2345 and is the best possible hand. Straights and flushes don't count against your low hand here.
    Finding the Motivation to Improve at Poker

    Comfort Zone

    We've all fallen prey to the common ills of online poker – playing while you're too tired, playing for too many hours, forgoing meals or hydration, or sitting at the table with too many thoughts swimming in our heads. Here are a few simple tips that are guaranteed to make you feel better at the digital felt.
    OFC Beginners Guide: It Starts with the Set

    OFC Beginners Guide: It Starts with the Set

    In part 2 of the OFC Beginner's Guide, I focus on the foundation of your hand: the set. The set is arguably the most important part of the hand, as how you set your hand dictates how the rest of the hand will play out. See some specific examples and general concepts with setting up your OFC hands.
    3 Extremely Useful Methods to Recognizing a Read

    While Waiting Poker Tells

    insights into reading opponents' body language and actions when it's your turn to act in a poker game, covering topics like identifying potential openers, raisers, and bluffers, as well as understanding subtle cues that can indicate a player's intentions
    soupie’s Win MTT Poker 06 – Ace on Turn, When to Fold

    Playing the Small Blind in an MTT Part 2

    the strategy of playing the small blind in multi-table tournaments, focusing on the considerations when dealing with very short stacks, the importance of fold equity, and the factors that influence the decision to push all-in, especially when the stack is around five times the big blind
    Before Moving to $3/6

    Before Moving to $3/6

    several strategic poker plays that players should be familiar with before advancing to higher stakes, emphasizing the importance of understanding and effectively utilizing these plays to maximize profitability and outmaneuver opponents in various game situations
    Before Moving to $3/6

    Pot Equity Edge (LHE)

    In Limit Hold'em, you'll often have a pot equity edge, even with less than 50% equity, if there are many players in the hand. If you can get them to keep putting chips in the pot, you should probably raise with such an edge. If some of them will fold, though, you should probably just call.
    Razz Rules

    Texas Holdem Rules

    Before playing any type of poker, you need to know the rules of the game. Texas Hold'em is the most popular type of poker, so you should learn its rules first. There are four rounds of betting and three common betting structures that you need to be aware of.
    3 Extremely Useful Methods to Recognizing a Read

    Player Types

    various strategies and post-flop tendencies of different poker players, classifying them based on their actions such as "call, fold, raise," and offering insights on how to exploit each player type's weaknesses and tendencies for optimal gameplay
    3 Extremely Useful Methods to Recognizing a Read

    Babysitting Blunders: How Not to Treat New Players

    During my time at the tables, I've had a chance to observe an extensive amount of human behavior. Thanks to the growing popularity of the game, I'm seeing more and more diverse personalities sported by players operating on a variety of skill levels. But with the ever-expanding pool of competitors, I find many of my brothers and sisters who've been around for a while are forgetting some of the cardinal rules of the game. I'm talking, specifically, about the treatment of new players at the tables. It happens both at live events and when surfing through the online card rooms. There are veterans (and even more who think themselves to be veterans) who, by carrying themselves in a certain fashion, do themselves a disservice and consequently reduce their own level of play.
    Tight Aggressive Strategy 4-Tabling Cash Games ($50nl 6-Max by euphoricism)

    [FTR Quick Tip 009] Isolating Limpers

    the importance of using selective aggression and position to exploit players who frequently limp at the poker table, suggesting that players should not only raise with their strongest hands but also widen their ranges to capitalize on the mistakes of limpers in no limit Texas Hold'em cash games
    soupie’s Win MTT Poker 06 – Ace on Turn, When to Fold

    chardrian’s Analysis of a $26 Freezeout

    Sometimes, it's valuable to go over your completed poker tournaments with a hand-history viewer to analyze spots that you are unsure about and identify errors in play. You can use a replayer that automatically cuts out hands that you folded preflop so that you can focus on the important hands.
    Razz Rules

    7 Card Stud Hi/Lo Rules

    7 Card Stud Hi/Lo is an exciting variant on normal 7 Card Stud play. In this split-pot format, players can win the high half of the pot, the low half of the pot or scoop the entire pot. Beware of getting quartered though! It can be costly.
    A Sensible Approach to Controlling Tilt

    Tilt and Why

    the psychological aspects of tilt in poker, highlighting how humans inherently link failure with self-worth, and emphasizes the importance of recognizing and managing these emotions in real-time during poker games to prevent irrational decisions and maintain optimal gameplay
    ISF – There’s No Such Thing As a Made Hand: Part 2

    ISF – Forming Ranges: Part 2

    the complexities of forming postflop hand ranges, emphasizing the importance of strategically grouping hands to maximize profitability, understanding the interplay between hands within a range, and making informed decisions based on the strength and potential of hands relative to an opponent's range
    Implied Odds Plays at 25NL and Below

    How the Games Have Changed

    the evolution of online poker since the Unlawful Internet Gambling Enforcement Act of 2006, highlighting how the games have become more challenging due to an educated player base, the rise of multi-tabling, and the increased use of aggressive strategies
    Razz Rules

    7 Card Stud Rules

    7 Card Stud was "the" game before Texas Hold'em became popular. Though it has been surpassed in popularity, there are still many players who enjoy 7 Card Stud. With neither community cards nor flops, the dynamics of the game are very different from what you may be used to.
    OFC Beginners Guide: It Starts with the Set

    OFC Beginners Guide: Introduction

    An introduction to Open Face Chinese Poker for beginner's looking to play. This is the start of a multi-part guide which will (hopefully) take you from a completely new player, to understanding the basics and get you on your way to becoming a winning player.
    The ABC’s of Continuation Betting

    Betting Poker Tells

    the significance of betting patterns in poker, emphasizing how they serve as crucial tells for reading opponents, with professionals often relying on the nuances of how much and how players bet, rather than just physical reads, to gauge the strength of their hands
    The PokerJanitor’s Philosophy

    Poker Goals

    the importance of setting proper goals in poker, cautioning against monetary objectives due to their unpredictability and potential to negatively influence gameplay; instead, it advocates for achievable, volume-based goals that don't compromise decision-making
    Razz Rules

    How to Play Texas Hold’em Poker

    If you've watched televised poker tournaments, the players were probably playing No Limit Texas Hold'em. With two blinds to get the action started and four rounds of betting, there's plenty of action to be found. All-in confrontations are somewhat common especially in tournaments.
    soupie’s Win MTT Poker 06 – Ace on Turn, When to Fold

    Poker Tournament Skills

    the essential skills required to consistently win at Multi-Table Tournaments (MTTs) in poker, highlighting key areas such as inflection point play, chip extraction, selective aggression, and the importance of patience and resilience