{"id":871980,"date":"2025-01-06T03:55:52","date_gmt":"2025-01-06T11:55:52","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.lasvegasadvisor.com\/shop\/?p=871980"},"modified":"2025-01-06T03:55:58","modified_gmt":"2025-01-06T11:55:58","slug":"10-more-essential-poker-tips-to-improve-your-strategy-for-intermediate-to-advanced-players","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.lasvegasadvisor.com\/blog\/10-more-essential-poker-tips-to-improve-your-strategy-for-intermediate-to-advanced-players\/","title":{"rendered":"10 MORE Essential Poker Tips to Improve Your Strategy \u2014 For Intermediate to Advanced Players!"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

If you\u2019ve already read my 10 poker tips article<\/a> and are looking to take it to the next level, you\u2019re in luck! Here are 10 MORE essential advanced poker tips to improve your strategy!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

These 10 tips will help you move from simply learning how to play poker to implementing poker strategies for maximum success on your poker journey.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Here\u2019s the list.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u25cf     Game Select Wisely<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u25cf     Never Ignore Table Image<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u25cf     Understand GTO vs Exploitative<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u25cf     Polarize Your Bets<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u25cf     Know When to Trap\u2014and When NOT to Trap!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u25cf     Don\u2019t Try to Bluff Multiple Opponents<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u25cf     Calculate Pot odds<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u25cf     Exercise Bankroll Management<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u25cf     Keep Your Emotions in Check<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u25cf     Improve Your Game Off the Felt<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Advanced Poker Tips #1: Game Select Wisely<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

If you\u2019re serious about your poker journey and want to consistently win and build your bankroll, then game selection is critically important. As renowned poker pro Michael Acevedo<\/a> explains in Modern Poker Theory: Building an Unbeatable Strategy Based on GTO Principles<\/em>:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\n

\u201cYou could be the ninth-best player in the world, but if you only play against the eight players who are better than you, you will get destroyed.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n

There\u2019s also an old joke that illustrates this concept.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\n

Two <\/em>poker player<\/em>s are lost in the wilderness. A bear jumps out of the bushes and starts chasing them. They\u2019re about to start running, but one stops to tie his shoes.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

His friend says, \u201cWhat are you doing? You can\u2019t outrun a bear!\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

The other friend replies, \u201cI don\u2019t have to outrun the bear. I only have to outrun you!<\/em><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n

That\u2019s how it goes in a poker game. I can\u2019t stress this enough \u2014 always seek out \u201csoft\u201d poker tables<\/a> with less experienced players. Avoid tables where players are glued to their phones or zoned out with headphones on \u2014 these opponents are likely to be focused and skilled.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Don\u2019t let your ego get in the way. Poker isn\u2019t about having something to prove \u2014 it\u2019s about winning, even against weaker players. As professional poker player, author, and coach Jonathan Little said:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\n

\u201cTo be successful at poker, you just need to do two things: find a game you can beat and play it a lot.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Image credit: VITALII BORKOVSKYI<\/em>\/Shutterstock<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Advanced Poker Tips #2: Never Ignore Table Image<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

A common pitfall of more advanced professional players \u2014 especially those who transition from online poker<\/a> sites to the live casino \u2014 is that they forget to consider their \u201ctable image.\u201d They don\u2019t factor-in how other people may see them.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Let\u2019s be honest: a bet by a 95-year-old grandma is a lot more intimidating than a bet by someone partying at the casino on their 21st birthday.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

I remember watching poker vlogger Mariano Grandoli<\/a> early in his career saying how he had yet to correctly \u2018hero-call\u2019 with Ace-High. Every time he tried, his opponents were never bluffing. They always had a hand.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cOf course!\u201d I thought, \u201cThat\u2019s because people are much less likely to bluff a 22-year-old guy!\u201d<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

You must<\/em> be aware of how people see you at the poker table \u2014 and adjust accordingly. If someone perceives you as tight and likely to \u2018always have it,\u2019 bluff more. If someone perceives you as loose and full of it, bluff less<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

You\u2019d be shocked by how few poker players actually take their opponents\u2019 perception of them into consideration.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

When I first started studying poker, I would think to myself, \u201cIs this a good board for my opponent to bluff?\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

As I gained more real life experience, my thought process shifted.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Now my first question is always, \u201cIs this person even interested in bluffing?\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Establish your opponent\u2019s M.O. before anything else. Why are they sitting down at this poker table? Are they a retired recreational player just looking for a way to pass time? Or are they there to show off and impress their friends?<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Think of who<\/strong><\/em> is betting before you think of why<\/strong><\/em> they\u2019re betting.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Image credit: VITALII BORKOVSKYI<\/em>\/Shutterstock<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Advanced Poker Tips #3: Understand GTO vs Exploitative<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

You\u2019ll want to have a firm grasp on the GTO vs Exploitative<\/a> debate.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The classic way to think about GTO versus exploitative strategy is the game rock, paper, scissors.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Game theory optimal (GTO) strategy says you should pick each option equally, making your optimal strategy perfectly balanced and impossible to predict.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

But if your opponent ALWAYS picks scissors, exploitative theory says you should adapt to their weakness<\/a> by ALWAYS picking rock \u2014 even if it makes you imbalanced and less tricky.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In poker skills, this follows along the above section on table image \u2014 adjusting for the player rather than going only by the book. I highly recommend an exploitative strategy for low stakes. Even if it\u2019s unbalanced, it\u2019ll definitely win you more money at the smallest limit tables (ex. only betting when you have premium hands).<\/p>\n\n\n\n

That changes as you move up in stakes and face tougher competition.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Now you want to divide yourself more equally between rock, paper, and scissors. Bet when you have a good poker hand<\/a> and<\/strong><\/em> when you have a bad hand because it makes your bets less predictable. If you only play aggressive poker when your hand is nutted, perceptive opponents will pick-up on this.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

A good place to start making yourself tougher to read is with a \u201cc-bet\u201d or \u201ccontinuation-bet\u201d on the flop. If you raised preflop, you should generally bet on the flop to continue telling the story you have a good hand \u2014 even if you don\u2019t.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

There are definitely exceptions to this and times you should not c-bet. But if this is a new concept to you and you\u2019re just now looking for a way to get trickier with your poker strategy<\/a>, start by always c-betting after you raised preflop. You can always scale back your c-bet frequency later.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The idea is to get you in the habit of betting because of the wider range of hands you could be holding, not your actual cards.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Image credit: VITALII BORKOVSKYI<\/em>\/Shutterstock<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Advanced Poker Tips #4: Polarize Your Bets<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

You always want to know the reason why<\/em> you are betting. This may sound like common sense, but as they say, common sense isn\u2019t so common anymore.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

For example, someone once told me this hand history:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u25cf     He had Q\u2666\ufe0f9\u2660\ufe0f<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u25cf     Board: K\u2663\ufe0f9\u2663\ufe0f5\u2660\ufe0f3\u2660\ufe0f3\u2663\ufe0f<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u25cf     He shoved all-in<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Why is this a bad play?<\/p>\n\n\n\n

It\u2019s a bad play because he does not know if he\u2019s value-betting<\/a> or bluffing. It\u2019s a nonsensical \u201cvalue-bluff,\u201d where he\u2019s merged the two, which is a recipe for costly mistakes.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

A pair of kings, a full house, or a flush is unlikely to fold, making it a poor bluff. A pair of fives or a small pocket pair is unlikely to call, making it too big of a bet to extract value.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

What he\u2019s done is de-polarize<\/strong><\/em> his hand. It\u2019s not quite a value bet and not quite a bluff. It\u2019s\u2026 well\u2026 something murky in the middle.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Instead you want to polarize<\/strong> your bets.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

When you go all-in<\/a> on that run-out, you either want to be at the top of your range with a very strong hand \u2014 like a full house, a flush, or maybe Ace-King if you think your opponent will call with a worse kicker \u2014 or your absolute worst hands, your stone bluffs, like Q\u2660\ufe0fJ\u2660\ufe0f that missed it\u2019s flush and straight draws.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Image credit: VITALII BORKOVSKYI<\/em>\/Shutterstock<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Advanced Poker Tips #5: Know When to Trap\u2014and When NOT to Trap!<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Rule of thumb when you\u2019re playing low stakes poker<\/a>: don\u2019t trap too much. Most\u2014but not all\u2014players don\u2019t bluff very often. Or if they do bluff, they\u2019re unlikely to bluff all three streets (flop, turn, river).<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The all-in bluff that you see on TV? The average player doesn\u2019t have them in it.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

For that reason, it\u2019s generally advised that you do not restrain from betting in hopes that your opponent will commit to a major bluff. MAYBE they will bluff once on a the flop as a test, and then shut it down once called.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

You will make a lot more money at lower stakes by simply betting your good hands.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Do not wait for someone to build a pot for you. This advice comes from highly experienced player Bart Hanson, owner of the CrushLive Poker<\/a> training site and host of its radio-style poker call-in show. He sounds like a broken record at this point\u2014when you have a good hand, bet!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

There are exceptions to this rule. If you\u2019re playing against someone you know<\/em> is prone to bluff, then of course, trap and let them fire away. Give them rope to hang themselves on.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Just keep in mind that the general population doesn\u2019t really bluff. Traps are overrated.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Image credit: VITALII BORKOVSKYI<\/em>\/Shutterstock<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Advanced Poker Tips #6: Don\u2019t Try to Bluff Multiple Opponents<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

This tip is straightforward but crucial:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The more players in a hand, the less effective bluffing becomes.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Why? It\u2019s much easier to convince one person to fold than three or four. Statistically, more opponents mean a higher likelihood that someone has connected with the board.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

For example, if you’re facing just one opponent, there\u2019s about a 32% chance they\u2019ve flopped a pair<\/a>. Most of the time they\u2019ve missed\u2014a single bet on the flop could take down the pot.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Now imagine you\u2019re up against three opponents. Each has that same 32% chance of hitting a pair, making it very likely that at least one of them has a strong enough hand to call your bluff.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Bluffing into a crowd is a losing strategy. Focus on situations where you\u2019re up against fewer opponents to play the mental game, saving you from bluffing into oblivion.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Image<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Image credit: VITALII BORKOVSKYI<\/em>\/Shutterstock<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Advanced Poker Tips #7: Calculate Pot Odds<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Pot odds is a critical concept for the more advanced player to consider. At its core, poker odds measure risk and reward. <\/strong>Understanding pot odds<\/a> helps you make a mathematically-informed decision to determine whether or not calling a bet is profitable.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

This concept is especially valuable when deciding whether to call or fold with a drawing hand. To calculate pot odds, you must compare the size of the pot to the size of the bet you need to call.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

For example, if the pot is $10 and your opponent bets $5, the total pot becomes $15. Since you need to call $5 to potentially win $15, your pot odds are 3:1. This is often described as \u201cgetting 3:1 on your money.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Once you know your pot odds, the next step is to compare them to your chances of making your poker hands. Suppose you\u2019re on a flush draw<\/a> on the turn with only one card left to come, so the odds of completing your flush are roughly 20% or 5:1. In this case, the right move is folding as the pot odds of 3:1 don\u2019t mathematically justify calling.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Take time to research and practice pot odds. They\u2019ll become more intuitive the more poker you play!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Image credit: Kitreel<\/em>\/Shutterstock<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Advanced Poker Tips #8: Exercise Bankroll Management<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Let\u2019s be honest\u2014poker is a very different experience playing for a living vs. playing for fun. When poker is a job, everything changes.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Especially how you manage your finances.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

When you have regular, non-poker income coming in, you can afford to take more risks. Why? Because if you \u201cgo broke\u201d and lose your poker money, you\u2019ll still be able to replenish those funds.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

But if poker is your career<\/a>, you need to give yourself much wider buffer room. You need to prepare for downswings and bad luck.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

The amount of breathing room you need is probably much larger than you\u2019re thinking. Here\u2019s a loose estimate:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u25cf     25 buy-ins for cash games<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u25cf     100 buy-ins for poker tournaments<\/p>\n\n\n\n

This means if you\u2019re buying-in for $500 at a cash game, you shouldn\u2019t sit down without at least $12,500 in reserve! Even $100 tournaments will require 10 grand.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

There are a multitude of factors that can stretch this even further. For example, if you\u2019re playing big field poker tournaments<\/a> with more than 1,000 people, responsible bankroll management would call for much more than 100 buy-ins since your variance is going to be higher and your likelihood of winning is going to be lower.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

It\u2019s important to say that no amount of buy-ins can prevent a bad player from going broke. That\u2019s a skill issue<\/a>! But a healthy bankroll to manage swings effectively can definitely prevent a good player from going broke.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Image credit: Kitreel<\/em>\/Shutterstock<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Advanced Poker Tips #9: Keep Your Emotions in Check<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

\u201cTilt\u201d is the Achilles’ heel of some of the world\u2019s best poker players. Without proper tilt control, your chances of <\/strong>long-term succes<\/strong>s are slim to none.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Tilt occurs when emotional stress clouds your judgment, and you start to make bad decisions at the table. Even highly-skilled players can fall victim to tilt after a brutal string of bad beats<\/a>\u2014resulting in reckless play and significant bankroll damage.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Tilt isn\u2019t always about frustration. There’s also \u201cwinner\u2019s tilt\u201d\u2014a big winning session sees you playing a lot looser than normal and gambling in spots that aren\u2019t profitable. Taking unnecessary risks can spiral into hopping stakes and suffering major losses.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Tilt control<\/a> is about keeping an even keel. Your highs can\u2019t get too high and your lows can\u2019t get too low.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

We\u2019re all human, so take breaks as you need to and avoid playing when you are drunk, tired, or just plain unfocused. Quitting when necessary is not a sign of weakness\u2014it\u2019s a sign of discipline. Good players need to be able to fold when it\u2019s not fun, and take a breather when it\u2019s not fun either.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Leaks can be fatal!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Image credit: Kitreel<\/em>\/Shutterstock<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Advanced Poker Tips #10: Improve Your Game Off the Felt<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

True poker mastery is built away from the table. To elevate your skills over your poker career, dedicate time to studying and preparing for key aspects of the game:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u25cf     Understand the Math<\/strong>: Learn to calculate outs, ICM<\/a>, pot odds, and probabilities quickly and accurately.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u25cf     Analyze Board Textures<\/strong>: Study when and how to bet based on the board and your opponents\u2019 likely ranges. Resources like training sites and apps can help refine these instincts.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u25cf     Plan Your Bankroll<\/strong>: Develop a clear strategy for managing your money to minimize risk and maximize longevity in the game.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Also remember that success isn\u2019t just about grinding at the tables\u2014it\u2019s about preparing and maintaining the mindset and skills<\/a> needed to win in the long run.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Go to the gym, maintain healthy relationships, touch grass. It\u2019s hard to succeed spending your time grinding in the casino all day.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

If you\u2019ve already read my 10 poker tips article and are looking to take it to the next level, you\u2019re in luck! Here are 10 MORE essential advanced poker tips to improve your strategy! These 10 tips will help you move from simply learning how to play poker to implementing poker strategies for maximum success […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":92538,"featured_media":871981,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":"","jetpack_publicize_message":"","jetpack_publicize_feature_enabled":true,"jetpack_social_post_already_shared":true,"jetpack_social_options":{"image_generator_settings":{"template":"highway","enabled":false},"version":2}},"categories":[1903],"tags":[],"jetpack_publicize_connections":[],"jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"jetpack_featured_media_url":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.lasvegasadvisor.com\/shop\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/shutterstock_2409608853.jpg?fit=1000%2C562&ssl=1","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.lasvegasadvisor.com\/shop\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/871980"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.lasvegasadvisor.com\/shop\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.lasvegasadvisor.com\/shop\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.lasvegasadvisor.com\/shop\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/92538"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.lasvegasadvisor.com\/shop\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=871980"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/www.lasvegasadvisor.com\/shop\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/871980\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":871982,"href":"https:\/\/www.lasvegasadvisor.com\/shop\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/871980\/revisions\/871982"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.lasvegasadvisor.com\/shop\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/871981"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.lasvegasadvisor.com\/shop\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=871980"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.lasvegasadvisor.com\/shop\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=871980"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.lasvegasadvisor.com\/shop\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=871980"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}