The Official Red Chip Poker Podcast

Straddles used to be restricted to a fun element of live play, but an increasing number of online #poker sites have now added them to their tables. This "third blind" has a profound effect on preflop strategy, both on the straddle itself and from the other positions at the table.
 
In this podcast episode, we look at a common online 6-max format with a 2bb UTG straddle and 0.1bb ante. The straddle is intrinsically unprofitable, but the information presented here will allow you to minimize your losses from all three blinds, while maximizing your advantage elsewhere.
 
TIMESTAMPS

0:00 Introduction: UTG Straddle Strategy Overview
0:48 Why UTG Straddles Are -EV
1:34 Solver Setup & Effective Stack Sizes Explained
2:57 RFI Frequencies: Button, Small Blind & Big Blind
4:37 Small Blind Strategy vs UTG Straddle
6:03 Big Blind Defense: When to Complete vs Raise
7:46 ISO Raising Against Completes (20% Rule)
10:44 Big Blind Complete Strategy & UTG Straddle Response
12:54 Defending vs Button RFI from Each Position
16:57 Small Blind RFI Defense Strategy
20:11 Big Blind RFI Defense & 70%+ VPIP Spots
21:51 Key Takeaways: Small Blind Disadvantages
23:46 Completing Strategy: Why It's More Important Than You Think
25:26 Three-Betting & ISO Ranges Summary
26:31 Practical Tips for Live Games
 
RELATED LINKS
·       The Low-Stakes Poker Playbook: https://redchippoker.com/low-stakes-poker-playbook/
·       GTO Preflop Ranges In Straddle Pots: https://youtu.be/ulXns1P5MeA?si=E50aXHFtTggyrHJH
·       Should I Straddle In Poker: https://redchippoker.com/should-i-straddle-in-poker/
·       Why You Lose Money In Straddle Pots: https://youtu.be/WfjiK4FF_RI?si=i9eze1M0oUtjbqPM
 
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When you see big bets over multiple streets from an opponent, what do you conclude? Most studied #poker players would assume they are facing a polarized range, and respond accordingly. But against a strong player, that need not be the case.
 
In this episode of the podcast, coach w34z3l explains the concept of capped shoving; that is, making large bets to get all in with a capped range. By understanding this counterintuitive play, you will be able to profitably add it to your game, while defending against it when used by tough opponents.
 
TIMESTAMPS

0:00 Introduction: Capped Shoving Explained
0:24 Aggressive Play & Range Construction
1:06 Polarized Ranges vs Capped Ranges
2:05 Example Hand Setup: Button vs Big Blind
2:51 Flop Action: J85 Rainbow Board
3:54 Solver Strategy: Trapping with Premium Hands
5:32 Why Capped Ranges Work
5:58 Turn Decision: Shoving with Capped Range
7:16 Bet Sizing Strategy: Small vs All-In
9:19 Common Pattern in 3-Bet Pots
10:02 Stack-to-Pot Ratio Importance
11:16 Equity Denial vs Value Betting
14:48 When Protection Beats Trapping
17:59 Deep Stack Adjustments (200bb)
18:45 Key Takeaways & Final Thoughts
 
RELATED LINKS
 
·      The Low-Stakes Poker Playbook: https://redchippoker.com/low-stakes-poker-playbook/
·      What Are Capped Ranges? https://www.splitsuit.com/capped-ranges-in-poker
·      Ranging Rationale: https://youtu.be/FPy6KWkRgJY?si=T8RL0J6rTqfqkrGv
·      Range Arrangement: https://youtu.be/KMCQRNJroPY?si=BW9etsHzgMje7-zq
 
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Most #poker players acknowledge that the more you study the better your results become. However, other life commitments mean that, in practice, we have a limited amount of time to devote to studying poker. This suggests it is critical to focus on the topics that really matter.
In this podcast episode, coach w34z3l summarizes an analytical study that determines the poker scenarios that have the biggest impact on your win-rate. This provides a priority list of poker formations to explore. One key takeaway: most players should devote time to their play out of the big blind.
 
TIMESTAMPS

0:00 Introduction: What Is Prioritized Learning?
1:20 How to Measure a Scenario's Impact
2:10 Tombos21's Study: The Priority Score Explained
4:23 Top Priority #1: Button vs Big Blind Single Raised Pot
4:57 Top Priority #2: Small Blind vs Big Blind Single Raised Pot
5:54 Hijack vs Big Blind Outranks Cutoff vs Big Blind
7:34 Importance of Big Blind Defense & OOP Aggressor Play
9:00 OOP Aggressor Spots Are Low Priority
9:17 How Important Is Cutoff vs Button?
14:15 Three-Bet Pot Priority: Button vs Small Blind
15:40 Button vs Big Blind Three-Bet Pot
16:22 Four-Bet Pot: Small Blind vs Big Blind
20:55 Scenario Groups
24:12 Most Important Position at the Table: Not the Button
26:42 Start With Big Blind Defense, Not Button Play
28:05 Single Raised vs Three-Bet Pots: Closer Than You Think
30:00 Don't Sleep on Three-Bet Pots
32:15 Summary & Key Takeaways
 
RELATED LINKS
·      The Low-Stakes Poker Playbook: https://redchippoker.com/low-stakes-poker-playbook/
·      Weekly Poker Study Guide: https://www.splitsuit.com/ultimate-weekly-poker-study-guide
·      Top 15 Key Poker Skills: https://redchippoker.com/top-15-poker-skills/
·      Effective Poker Study: https://youtu.be/maaDxqtQgT4?si=zUCAsQdpvms4qaOZ
 
**JOIN US ON DISCORD**
Join our free poker Discord today: https://redchippoker.com/discord

Do you tend to use a limited number of bet sizes in your strategy? Such simplified approaches have value, but many #poker players are missing out on profitable spots by restricting their sizing. This applies both to large and small bets.
 
This episode of the podcast explores the small end of the spectrum, specifically looking at micro bets as small as 10% of pot. In addition to being theoretically motivated, these tiny bets have the added benefit of forcing your opponents into unknown territory where they are liable to make mistakes.
 
TIMESTAMPS

0:00 Introduction: What Are Micro Bets in Poker?
0:25 Evolution of Bet Sizing: From 50% to 33% Pot
0:50 Breaking the Mental Block: Betting Below 33%
1:39 Micro Bets vs Under Bets: Key Terminology
2:07 Scenario 1: Three-Bet Pots: When to Use 20% Sizing
3:09 Triple Broadway & Monotone Textures Strategy
5:12 Scenario 2: Four-Bet Pots: The 10% C-Bet
6:46 Monotone & Paired Boards in Four-Bet Pots
9:23 River Play Out of Position: Small Bet Theory
11:49 Triple Barrel Strategy with Micro Bets
14:20 River Donk Bets: The 10% Sizing Secret
19:21 Turn Donk Bets on Paired Boards
21:42 Handling Opponent Aggression vs Small Bets
24:27 Conclusion: Implementing Micro Bets in Your Game
 
**LINKS**
- The Low-Stakes Poker Playbook: https://redchippoker.com/low-stakes-poker-playbook/
- 6 Exploitative Strategies You Need To Use: https://youtu.be/GJxoNiuWuRU?si=f4rOw5mX91XeQBE1
- How Bet Sizes Change The Final Pot Size: https://www.splitsuit.com/poker-bet-sizes-final-pot-size
- Bet-Sizing Techniques: https://redchippoker.com/bet-sizing-techniques-for-poker-players/
**JOIN US ON DISCORD**
Join our free poker Discord today: https://redchippoker.com/discord

Many #poker players regard heads-up play as the purest form of the game. You are locked in a duel of wits with a single opponent, constantly trying to outmaneuver them and countering their tactical adjustments. The one-on-one nature also means your skill edge is magnified leading to high win-rates.
 
This podcast episode gives a comprehensive overview of all the skills required to succeed in heads-up play. In addition to strategic and tactical considerations, coach w34z3l also explores soft skills, including attracting weaker players to your table.
 
TIMESTAMPS

0:00 Introduction to Heads-Up Poker Strategy
0:36 Why Starting Tables Yourself Attracts Recreational Players
1:55 When to Leave a Heads-Up Match
2:11 Simplifying Preflop Strategy in Heads-Up Play
4:29 Button Strategy: 80% VPIP Explained
5:11 The Case for Limping the Button
6:09 Defending Against 3-Bets on the Button
10:14 Big Blind Defense Strategy (80% Range)
11:00 Aggressive 3-Betting from the Big Blind (20%+ Frequency)
13:23 Continuing Against 4-Bets
15:14 Postflop Play: Translating Ring Game Skills
17:01 Understanding Toughness: Being Unpredictable
21:24 The Power of Overbets
22:49 Bum-Hunting and Table-Selection Ethics
 
RELATED LINKS
The Low-Stakes Poker Playbook: https://redchippoker.com/low-stakes-poker-playbook/
Top Ten Poker Podcasts: https://www.splitsuit.com/best-poker-podcasts
Poker Profit From Novel Lines: https://redchippoker.com/unorthodox-lines-in-nlhe/
Is Poker Dead? https://youtu.be/dwzUJTY6dTk?si=71kgdpqvJDgwyPz1
**JOIN US ON DISCORD**
Join our free poker Discord today: https://redchippoker.com/discord