Upswing Poker Level-Up

Improve your poker skills fast with short, hyper-focused episodes covering crucial poker topics. Hosted by VP of Upswing Poker Mike Brady and poker pro Gary Blackwood.

5 Poker Tips for Playing Preflop 12/11/2024

5 Poker Tips for Playing Preflop 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! and check out the Low Stakes Launch Pad course. Make sure to use promo code LEVELUP when you sign up and you'll receive $50 off! 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. /episode/index/show/c3cb3cf4-070c-4e27-8969-0cecd66b128b/id/34356660

How to Calculate Pot Odds 12/04/2024

How to Calculate Pot Odds We've extended our biggest sale of the year to run all the way through Cyber Week! 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. 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. /episode/index/show/c3cb3cf4-070c-4e27-8969-0cecd66b128b/id/34276205

When to Slow-Play Your Strong Hands 11/27/2024

When to Slow-Play Your Strong Hands Get 25% off elite poker courses & tools during the biggest sale of the year right now! 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. 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! /episode/index/show/c3cb3cf4-070c-4e27-8969-0cecd66b128b/id/34177580

How to Play POCKET ACES Like a Pro 11/20/2024

How to Play POCKET ACES Like a Pro You look down at your cards and see pocket aces. It's the best starting hand in poker, but how do you extract maximum value from your opponents? On this episode, Mike Brady talks with poker pro Gary Blackwood about the best practices for navigating pocket aces across a wide range of scenarios. If you like winning more money at the poker table, then you need to listen now! Want to dominate every situation at the poker table? Take advantage of 's upcoming Black Friday/Cyber Monday deal! Everything site-wide is 25% off starting on November 25th and running through the end of the month! If you haven't already please subscribe to the podcast and leave us a rating and a review! 00:00 Introduction to Playing Pocket Aces 01:04 Optimal Preflop Strategies 04:11 Flop Tactics: Adjusting Based on Board Texture 07:05 Turn Play: When to Stay Aggressive or Slow Down 09:18 Closing Remarks and Black Friday Sale Information Dive into this episode of the premier poker strategy podcast with host Mike Brady and poker pro Gary Blackwood, where they unravel the secrets of mastering pocket aces—the best starting hand in Texas Hold’em. Whether you call them "bullets," "rockets," or "American Airlines," this episode is packed with actionable insights to help you extract maximum value and avoid costly mistakes. Starting with preflop play, Gary emphasizes the importance of aggressive strategies like raising and three-betting to build bigger pots. Learn why fast-playing aces is almost always the better option and when slow-playing can be a profitable exception, especially in deep-stack cash games and tournament settings. Moving to postflop play, the discussion covers key adjustments based on board textures, such as when to bet on favorable flops and when to play more passively on dynamic or connected boards that favor your opponent’s range. On the turn, Gary offers guidance on knowing when to keep your foot on the gas and when to slow down, ensuring you maximize value without overcommitting in tricky spots. With real-world examples and solver-based insights, this episode equips you with the tools to play pocket aces like a pro. Looking to elevate your game even further? This poker strategy podcast highlights Upswing Poker's Black Friday/Cyber Monday sale, where you can access top-tier courses, tools, and training materials at 25% off. Whether you're a beginner looking for foundational strategies or an advanced player seeking cutting-edge solver insights, this is your chance to invest in your poker future. Don’t miss this comprehensive episode packed with expert advice, practical tips, and insider knowledge. Tune in now to this poker strategy podcast and start dominating the tables with confidence. Subscribe for more episodes that dive deep into every aspect of the game, helping you become the best player you can be. /episode/index/show/c3cb3cf4-070c-4e27-8969-0cecd66b128b/id/34026842

What Poker Coaches Get Wrong 10/02/2024

What Poker Coaches Get Wrong Winning poker, made simple. Pre-register for the Poker Blueprint here: https://upswingpoker.com/poker-blueprint-pre-registration/ Uri Peleg has spent thousands of hours studying poker. He’s done more digging through solvers and tested more strategies than most players ever will. He’s put his findings into practice and come out on top in high stakes games – and he’s coached numerous players (through his Guerrilla Poker stable) to do the same. Uri has distilled his strategic approach into a simplified blueprint built on five core principles. Once you understand these principles, you’ll be well-equipped to win money at the table. The Poker Blueprint is a 10+ hour course that teaches you these principles and shows you how to put them into practice. You don't have to know all the software and jargon to win the game. Check out the written version of this video: https://upswingpoker.com/uri-what-poker-training-gets-wrong/. 00:00 The Problems With Modern Poker Training 02:05 Balancing Study and Play 03:02 The Limits of Theoretical Approaches 04:11 Simplification and the Value of Flexibility 05:04 Adapting to Imperfect Opponents 06:06 First Principles Thinking 07:01 The Poker Blueprint In this poker strategy video, we dive into the current state of poker training and why many traditional approaches may not be delivering the results you expect. Does focusing too much on solvers and math help you in real-life poker games? This video highlights the drawbacks of hyper-theoretical strategies, showing that poker is a multidimensional game, far more complex than the charts and solvers suggest. The balance between study and play is essential for poker improvement. This poker strategy video explores why spending too much time on theoretical concepts can drain your motivation and energy, especially for players who enjoy playing the game more than studying it. Real-world poker decisions are often not about nailing the 0.01% differences, but about understanding broad concepts like opponent tendencies and adapting to dynamic in-game situations. You'll learn how modern poker training has become overly focused on tiny mathematical edges that don’t translate well to real play. For instance, obsessing over making the perfect 0.01% move might cause you to overlook much bigger mistakes your opponents are making, losing sight of the larger picture. In this poker strategy video, we introduce a more intuitive approach—first principles thinking. This method allows you to understand poker on a deeper level, using logic and intuition without relying on solvers or math. The Poker Blueprint course is designed to simplify your approach to poker by focusing on overarching principles, giving you the tools you need to make solid, reliable decisions at the table. The goal is to help you understand the fundamental reasons behind every move without getting bogged down in solver-based analysis. You’ll also learn how to integrate deception into your gameplay, balancing your range with your opponent’s tendencies to ensure you’re not too predictable. If you’re interested in taking your poker game to the next level, check out the Poker Blueprint: https://upswingpoker.com/poker-blueprint-pre-registration/. This course distills years of experience from coaching top players into a concise framework that allows you to retain your mental bandwidth and make smart decisions in real-time. Plus, if you purchase the course in the first week, you'll receive a bonus: the Tournament Blueprint course, which applies these same principles to tournament play. Whether you're new to poker or a seasoned player, this course will enhance how you think about the game. Click the link above to learn more and start improving your poker strategy today! /episode/index/show/c3cb3cf4-070c-4e27-8969-0cecd66b128b/id/33247347

DON’T DO THIS IN POKER (Mariano vs Doug Polk) 09/18/2024

DON’T DO THIS IN POKER (Mariano vs Doug Polk) Winning poker, made simple. Pre-register for the Poker Blueprint here: https://upswingpoker.com/poker-blueprint-pre-registration/ It’s a high stakes cash game at The Lodge studio featuring two players who are no strangers to playing $50,000+ pots, Doug Polk and Mariano. Poker coach Uri Peleg breaks down the hand using the strategic framework taught in his new course the Poker Blueprint. One of the players makes a big mistake on the river in this one. Uri Peleg has spent thousands of hours studying poker. He’s done more digging through solvers and tested more strategies than most players ever will. He’s put his findings into practice and come out on top in high stakes games – and he’s coached numerous players (through his stable) to do the same. Uri has distilled his strategic approach into a simplified blueprint built on five core principles. Once you understand these principles, you’ll be well-equipped to win money at the table. The Poker Blueprint is a 10+ hour course that teaches you these principles and shows you how to put them into practice. You don't have to know all the software and jargon to win the game. Check out the written version of this video: https://upswingpoker.com/doug-vs-mariano-blueprint/ 00:00 Intro, Overview, Poker Blueprint Ad 02:32 Analysis of the Hand: Flop and Turn Strategy 04:52 Turn Changes and Pot Size Considerations 06:04 River Analysis and Decision-Making 08:05 Evaluating Mistakes and Optimal Play 09:21 Conclusion and Upcoming Content Join Uri Peleg as he breaks down a thrilling poker hand between Doug Polk and Mariano in this intense high-stakes game! In this video, you'll dive deep into the intricate details of poker strategy, focusing on a critical mistake that could cost big at the table. Uri Peleg, a seasoned poker pro, shares his expert insights on how to avoid such mistakes, using this hand as a teaching tool. He highlights the significance of understanding the ranges and decision-making at each stage of the game, offering viewers practical tips to enhance their skills. Uri Peleg analyzes this action-packed hand, starting with a squeeze from Doug with King-Queen suited and a cold four-bet from Mariano holding pocket Kings. The flop reveals Queen-Six-Four rainbow, a board that heavily favors the pre-flop aggressor, Mariano. Uri explains how Doug’s decision to check aligns with the optimal strategy and how Mariano's small bet serves to disguise his hand strength. Uri Peleg poker strategy emphasizes the importance of understanding the ranges and adjusting pot sizes accordingly. As the turn card, Jack of Hearts, appears, the dynamics of the hand change significantly. Mariano now has to adjust his strategy, valuing his Kings differently due to potential hands that could beat him. Uri highlights that Doug, with a flush draw, needs to reassess his approach, aiming for a modestly-sized pot rather than pushing aggressively. The river brings the Five of Diamonds, and Uri explains why this seemingly innocuous card still has implications for both players’ ranges. Uri Peleg's poker strategy comes to life as he discusses how Doug's decision to bet 15k might have been too aggressive given the range of hands that Mariano could have. Uri then focuses on Mariano's quick decision to call, analyzing why this could be considered a mistake. He points out that while Mariano's Kings are strong, a snap call might not be the best move without thoroughly considering all the possible scenarios. If you want to dive deeper into the nuances of advanced poker strategy, Uri has a new Upswing course coming out, which is perfect for players of all levels. Stay tuned for more videos, and don't forget to check out "The Poker Blueprint" for a comprehensive guide to mastering the game. /episode/index/show/c3cb3cf4-070c-4e27-8969-0cecd66b128b/id/33084882