The definitive guide to poker cash game strategy

 The Ultimate Guide to Poker Cash Game Strategy

Intermediate Poker Cash Game Strategy

It is important to have a good understanding of preflop play in order to be successful at the poker tables.

Please download "The Quick Start Guide for Preflop Play" before you proceed to the next section.

We'll be discussing common situations that you might face at the table of poker, as well as the variables that you need to consider when making decisions.

I don't waste energy teaching you how you can play specific hands. Instead, I concentrate my teaching on concepts. It means I help you to understand the game of poker better so you can make the best decisions every time.

This is what I refer to as Conceptual Based Learning (CBL).

The CBL approach will help us to identify the different situations we might be in and how we can best approach them.

When to Trap? Slow Play or Flat Call?

Poker is a complex game, and trapping is an important concept. It's crucial to be able to recognize when it's best to do so.

Trapping, or slow-playing, is when players allow their opponent to stay in the pot to make more money. This is usually done by simply flat calling a betting or checking if your opponent has already acted.

In other words, you are inducing your opponents' to bluff or giving a free opportunity to remain in the poker pot in hopes they make a second-best hands and lose more.

Perfect Occasions for Slow Play in No Limit hold'em

1. A strong hand is extremely difficult to beat.

Ex: If you have KK on a K72 board, and are faced with a bet,

2. If your opponent is not lying, it is most likely that they are bluffing.

Ex. Your opponent is a loose maniac, who loves to bluff and folds when he gets aggressive. If you have a T973 board, it would be wise to just flat call with 99. Your opponent is likely to continue betting on all rivers, but they will probably fold if your raise.

3. #ProTip1 - If you have a large amount of weak hands in your hand range, it is important to add strength to your check calling range.

Ex. The turn is a King, and you check again. Now, your opponent places a full bet.

This situation will see your range consist mostly of bluff catcher type hands (8x-7x and small pairs, as well as ace high).

It's a smart move to flat-call with a strong hand such as 87s, which will make you more difficult to play against.

4. #ProTip2 - When equity is either in the forward or backward direction.

Ex. You have KK in A82. If your opponent is playing bluff with T9s or worse value betting with JJ, then you can win almost any card.

If he is ahead with something like AQ, then you have very few options that can help improve your performance (in this case only two kings).

Situations that are way ahead/way behind are excellent times to flat-call. Because raising doesn't accomplish anything, worse hands will fold and only the best hands will call.

Another way to view it is that calling the police is the most acceptable option.

When to Protect, Fastplay, or Raise

To protect your hand, you must take an aggressive line such as betting or raising in order to win the pot instantly or force your opponent into a draw. Online Poker: Online Poker – How to Profit From Cash Games