Every hand begins with preflop play, so making correct decisions is critically important. Upswing Poker VP Mike Brady and Scottish poker pro Gary Blackwood share five actionable tips that you can use to elevate your game and take advantage of your opponent's mistakes!

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00:00 Tip 1: Tighten Your Big Blind Defense

01:57 Tip 2: Big Blind Three-Bet Strategy

06:30 Tip 3: Adjusting Ranges Based on Opponents

10:35 Tip 4: Tighten Up in High Rake Environments

12:43 Tip 5: Aggression Over Passivity

15:11 Announcement: Low Stakes Launch Pad

Ready to take your poker game to the next level? In this week’s poker strategy podcast, Upswing Poker VP Mike Brady teams up with Scottish poker pro Gary Blackwood to deliver five essential tips for mastering preflop play. Whether you're an aspiring pro or a recreational player, this episode is packed with actionable strategies to plug leaks in your game and exploit your opponent's weaknesses.

The duo begins by addressing one of the most common leaks in poker: over-defending the big blind. With practical advice on hand selection and leveraging position, they help you save valuable big blinds in the long run.

Next, they dive into the art of the big blind three-bet, showcasing how an aggressive and calculated approach can dominate opponents in both theory-based and exploitative scenarios.

As the podcast progresses, you’ll learn the importance of adjusting your ranges based on the players at your table. Whether you're up against loose-passive recreational players or aggressive pros, adaptability is key to staying ahead of the competition.

Gary and Mike also explore the impact of high rake environments, emphasizing tighter ranges and smarter calls to maximize profitability.

Closing out the episode, the hosts discuss the benefits of aggressive play and how erring on the side of aggression can turn the tide in your favor, especially in low stakes games. As they say, the best players are the ones who keep their opponents uncomfortable, and this poker strategy podcast teaches you exactly how to do that.

They also announce the Low Stakes Launch Pad course, designed to provide foundational strategies for beating low stakes games. Available now in the Upswing Poker Lab, this course is a must-have for serious players.

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The math behind poker might not seem glamorous, but few skills will affect your bottom line more than a correct understanding of pot odds!

Upswing Poker VP Mike Brady previews the new Low Stakes Launch Pad course by sharing everything you need to build a solid foundation for understand this critical topic. You can join the Upswing Lab to access that course: https://upswingpoker.com/the-poker-lab-coaching

Audio version available on all major podcast platforms.

View the episode transcription here.

00:00 Definition and Importance of Pot Odds

02:04 Converting Pot Odds to Percentages

02:56 Three-Step Process for Calculating Pot Odds

03:56 Practical Applications of Pot Odds

06:17 Using Pot Odds with Draws

09:29 Analyzing Pot Odds for River Bets

12:50 Limitations of Pot Odds

15:19 Recognizing Situations to Avoid with Pot Odds

16:48 Additional Factors to Consider with Pot Odds

Dive into the intricacies of poker in this insightful poker strategy podcast episode focused on pot odds—a cornerstone of making profitable decisions at the table. Taken from the Low Stakes Launchpad course offered by Upswing Poker, this episode is a goldmine for players looking to sharpen their skills with actionable knowledge.

The episode begins with a clear explanation of what pot odds are and their significance in poker strategy. Through a simple three-step process, you’ll learn how to calculate pot odds, convert them into percentages, and use them to assess whether your hand is worth the call. From calculating the final pot size to understanding your “price to call,” every step is broken down into digestible insights perfect for application during live games.

This poker strategy podcast delves into practical examples, including preflop raises, facing all-ins with draws, and evaluating bets on the river. With concepts like the Rule of Two and Four for calculating draw equity and analyzing your opponent's range, listeners are guided through real-world scenarios to master pot odds in action.

But the discussion doesn’t stop at the basics. The episode highlights limitations of pot odds, such as multi-way pots and hands with poor playability on future streets. You’ll also learn about critical concepts like equity realization, implied odds, and maintaining a competitive range, ensuring you avoid common traps that even seasoned players fall into.

Perfect for poker enthusiasts and those new to the game, this poker strategy podcast is your gateway to understanding and leveraging the math behind poker for better results. If you’re ready to level up your game, tune in now, and don’t forget to explore the Low Stakes Launchpad course in the Upswing Poker Lab for a deeper dive into elite strategies.

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You might be tempted to slow play the next time you have a monster hand, but that could be a huge mistake!

Mike Brady and Gary Blackwood discuss how carefully choosing when to take your foot off the gas is the best strategy to ensure maximum profitability. Don't play another hand until you've listened to this episode!

Audio version available on all major podcast platforms.

View the episode transcription here.

00:00 Welcome to the Upswing Poker Level-Up

01:04 Preflop Slow Playing Strategies

03:59 Distinguishing Slow Playing from Pot Control

06:23 Avoiding Slow Playing Strong Hands in Position

07:49 Slow Playing from the Big Blind: Specific Scenarios

09:50 Fast Playing Monsters Out of Position

12:14 Adjusting to Opponent Bet Sizes When Slow Playing

14:06 Slow Playing in Three-Bet Pots: In Position vs. Out of Position

17:25 Trapping as the Preflop Aggressor

19:01 Adapting Strategies for Low Stakes and Passive Players

21:02 Black Friday Sale Reminder

Welcome to another poker strategy podcast episode, where hosts Mike Brady and Scottish poker pro Gary Blackwood break down everything you need to know about slow playing. If you’ve ever wondered when to trap your opponents with monster hands—or when to avoid it altogether—this is the episode for you.

Dive into advanced poker strategies starting with preflop slow playing, such as why you should sometimes call a four-bet with pocket aces or kings to maximize value. The discussion also covers the delicate balance between slow playing and pot control, helping you recognize when playing passively protects your stack and when it costs you money.

This poker strategy podcast also examines the risks and rewards of slow playing on different board textures. Gary and Mike explain why betting three streets with strong hands is often the best move, but also reveal rare exceptions—like checking back top set on ace-high boards in single-raised pots.

As the episode progresses, you’ll uncover key tactics for fast playing out of position, the importance of reacting to opponent bet sizes, and how to adjust your strategies for three-bet pots. The duo even shares practical advice for adapting these solver-approved techniques to real-world games, including low-stakes live poker.

Whether you’re a beginner learning to recognize profitable traps or an experienced player refining your edge, this podcast delivers actionable insights on every aspect of slow playing. From appreciating your opponent’s range to identifying key moments for aggression, you’ll leave this episode with a stronger grasp of the nuances that separate amateurs from pros.

Plus, don’t miss the Black Friday sale at Upswing Poker, where you can get 25% off courses and tools designed by the game’s top players. Level up your poker IQ today and join us as we explore the art—and science—of slow playing in this exciting episode!